Restorative Alternative to Expulsion & Suspension

A restorative alternative for students, families, school, staff and community when expulsion is not required by state law. RATES is a partnership project between Teaching Peace and the St. Vrain Valley School District.

• Create a new success plan and additional support for the student who is facing expulsion
• Increase understanding of the situation from everyone’s perspective
• Express everyone’s concerns and explore solutions together
• Keep students in school by finding workable solutions to school challenges
• Engage the community to support school success for every student

What is Expected of Those Who PARTICIPATE in RATES?

• Everyone takes responsibility for their part of the problem.
• Everyone agrees to tell the truth and listen for understanding.
• Everyone treats all participants with respect.
• Everyone comes with an open mind and seeks creative solutions.

When Expulsion Is Not Required by State Law RATE Brings Together:

• A student who is at-risk of district expulsion
• That student’s support people, family members and friends who can help
• School officials and other members of the school community
• Community members who can represent the harm to the community and bring an unbiased view to the process
• Trained restorative justice facilitators to conduct the process bringing the collective wisdom of this group to create a success plan for this student and produce a written agreement

STEPS in the Process

1. The District Expulsion Officer requests that a student be considered for Restorative Alternative to Expulsion.
2. The case is assessed to determine if the student meets the program eligibility requirements, primarily acceptance of responsibility for his/her behavior.
3. The student and his or her parents or guardians are contacted, and they decide if they wish to voluntarily participate in the restorative process.
4. If they wish to participate, referral is made to Teaching Peace who will then contact all parties and establish a meeting date and time for the restorative circle process.
5. Prior to the meeting time, the restorative justice facilitator(s) will speak with all participants to explain the process, prepare them for participation and answer any questions.
6. The facilitators conduct the process, and, if successful, it will result in a written agreement that will be monitored until the Reintegration Circle date. In the event that the restorative circle cannot reach agreement or if the student fails to comply with the agreement, regular expulsion proceedings will be initiated.
7. A Reintegration Circle is held to assess the student’s progress and determine if additional steps are needed or if the student is successfully reintegrated into the school.

For more information about the RPS program, contact:

Laura Snider (Bilingual Program Coordinator) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

For more information about the RATES program, contact:

Sarah Madrigal Perry (Billigual RATES Program Coordinator) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

RATES Referral Packet E-copy

RATES Referral Packet Hard Copy