School-Based Diversion

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Stop the school-to-prison pipeline

We work to break the school-to-prison pipeline by serving youth at risk of suspension and expulsion. We support 10 middle and high schools in the Highline, Tacoma, and Seattle Public School systems.

Our school-based diversion team offers a seven-week restorative program to meet young people where they are, build intentional relationships, and provide the tools and resources for young people to stay engaged and thrive in school and beyond.

The team hosts CHOOSE 180 days on school campuses to build trust with students and share details about the program.

  • Understanding the school-to-prison pipeline and how systems impact their lives

  • Building SMART goals and a youth-driven action plan

  • Understanding identity, choices, and how values shape decision-making

  • Reflecting on relationships, environments, and self-awareness

  • Building support systems that encourage growth and accountability

  • Discussion that honors youth voice and lived experience

Over the 7-week program, participants will engage in the following:

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“I choose 180 because I’m not a bad kid, and I wanna prove that to my friends and family. ”

- Program Participant

What is the school-to-prison pipeline?

In many schools across the country, students who are BIPOC, have disabilities, or are in situations where they may need extra support, are funneled out of school and into the criminal legal system. Police officers placed in schools often uphold discriminatory practices and target historically oppressed groups. Instead of offering resources and support, they criminalize students which causes even more barriers.

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Infographic (español)
Three young people working on laptops and tablets together in a cozy indoor setting with couches and chairs.
Close-up of a young boy with brown hair and fair skin, wearing a black Nike hoodie and a black cap with a rooster patch, smiling slightly, with earbuds in his ears, outdoors with a blurred background.
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1+ million students are in schools with police officers but no counselors.

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Schools with strict disciplinary measures, like suspension, are more likely to have students that are later incarcerated or arrested as adults.

Eligibility: While most students are referred to CHOOSE 180 by school administrators and teachers, we also accept community referrals.

How to sign up: To get involved, please fill out the Community Referral Form.