Harshman Middle School Suspension Rates Declined
A student-led peer mediation program helped lower school suspension rates to 8% in Indianapolis.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Secondary Education
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H.L. Harshman Middle School successfully implemented a peer mediation program that has been in operation since 2016. The initiative has helped the school decrease its out-of-school suspension rate from 26% in 2023 to 8% during the 2024-25 school year.
Why it matters
The program provides a mechanism to resolve interpersonal student conflicts before they escalate into physical altercations that require disciplinary intervention from adults.
The school enrolls 500 students and utilizes a $1.2 million grant from Indiana University Health to fund the program. About 25 to 30 students are selected annually to serve as mediators after completing three weeks of training.
The players
H.L. Harshman Middle School
This is an Indianapolis-based middle school that serves approximately 500 students.
Indiana University Health
This is a comprehensive healthcare system that provided a $1.2 million grant to support the school program.
Peace Learning Center
This organization provides trainers who teach mediation methods to students at the school.
The details
Students initiate the process by filling out a form in an educator's classroom to request help with a dispute. Peer mediators, trained by the Peace Learning Center, facilitate discussions where involved parties sign a confidentiality agreement to resolve the issue.
Timeline
2016: H.L. Harshman Middle School began the peer mediation program.
2023: Suspension rates began declining from a 26% peak.
2024-25: The out-of-school suspension rate reached 8%.
Culture Shift
The school's 8% suspension rate places it significantly closer to the statewide average of 6.5% than it was during its 26% peak. This shift reflects a broader movement in secondary education to prioritize restorative justice models over traditional exclusionary discipline.
Families in the area may notice a shift toward restorative conflict resolution within the school environment. Students can access mediation by requesting assistance through their classroom teachers to settle disputes constructively.
The takeaway
Peer mediation programs offer a practical framework for students to develop conflict resolution skills early in their education. Implementing such initiatives can lead to measurable improvements in school climate and disciplinary outcomes.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational initiatives at Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chalkbeat.
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