The peer mediator program is designed to develop students' leadership and helping skills and to provide important services for the school population. Peer mediators serve as role models and workshop facilitators. They help plan workshops, serve as tour guides, and help new students adjust to life at the school. Training, both introductory and ongoing, is provided. Every year students go through an interview and selection process to become peer mediators.
Students submit a formal application for the peer mediator program, including references.
ESSP is designed to provide students with another chance to succeed in the regular school setting, as an alternative to suspension. As an educational and intervention program, the ESSP philosophy centers around the belief that students are capable of changing for the better, especially when they are in a challenging environment. Accordingly, students in ESSP will be in a structured environment conducive to learning new skills and becoming positive, responsible people. The program consists of an educational curriculum centered on factual information concerning the health risks of cigarette smoking. Coupled with this is a focus on peer support and the dynamics of behavioral change.