The Charleston County Discipline School has one guidance counselor and money for a mental health counselor, but it does not offer the kind of psychological counseling some students may need for long-term behavioral recovery, particularly when faced with returning to schools where they are expected to be their old selves. But in their time at the discipline school, students talk to their peers about what led them to the school, they receive character training and learn responsibility through rank. They also do community service, mentoring children in elementary schools and building houses for the poor. The concept of helping is new to many of them, Coste said. They are rebuilding the communities they were once tearing down.
Teachers call everyone by last name.
While plain and stern, the environment is caring and friendly. The students work cooperatively. For the most part, they are respectful and seem to care what teachers think. If you get an F and Mr. Drayton is disappointed in you, it gets you inside. In public school they give you your report card and not even look at you.