Effective learning environments are dependent on appropriate student behavior, and the Ferguson-Florissant School District provides a variety of opportunities to help students be successful. Expectations for student behavior are outlined in the Student Discipline Code which is adopted by the Board of Education and distributed each fall to parents and students. The District employs a full-time psychologist, social workers and school counselors to help students develop the social skills needed to be successful.

The Ferguson-Florissant School District operates an extensive program to help all students develop the attitudes and behaviors needed for a successful school experience. Character Plus, formerly known as Personal Responsibility Education Process, seeks to instill in all students community-identified values such as honesty, respect, cooperation and responsibility. The District worked in partnership with 32 other school districts to develop the Character Plus program. Sanford McDonnell, chairman emeritus of McDonnell Douglas Corp., spearheaded the development of character education out of his personal concern for the erosion of basic values across the country. The program has become a mainstay in public schools throughout the metropolitan area.

Student mediation programs, in which students are trained as peer mediators to resolve student conflicts, have been implemented in District schools at all levels. The mediation programs have proven highly successful in reducing office referrals for fighting.

Recognizing the power of student-to-student learning, the District has implemented an extensive Peer Helping program in all schools that provides role models, peer tutoring, a buddy system and leadership training.

The Re-Entry Center
Aggression Replacement Training
The Ferguson-Florissant School District has developed an alternative education program for students on long-term suspension for violent behavior. The program includes social skills training, anger control, academics, parental involvement and community service. Funded by grants through the North County Service Coalition, the Re-Entry Center, an off-campus alternative education site, serves high school students from five school districts. An in-school elementary Re-Entry Program serves students from three participating districts. In addition, Ferguson-Florissant operates a middle school program at the Caroline Student Support Center. Our middle school program, which serves as the prototype for the elementary and high school programs, was developed by District staff. At the base of the alternative education program is Aggression Replacement Training, a program that helps students learn to manage aggressive behavior through anger control and the development of positive social skills.