The Center for the Prevention of School Violence views the establishment and maintenance of these conditions in schools as essential in efforts directed at creating excellent schools. With these conditions present, students are given the opportunity to perform at their best academically, and teachers are provided with environments which allow them to perform at their best. It is characterized by a climate that is free of fear. The perceptions, feelings, and behaviors of members of the school community reveal that the school is a place where people are able to go about their business without concern for their safety .
Students relate to each other and to teachers and school staff in acceptable ways.
Expectations about what is acceptable behavior are clearly stated, and consequences for unacceptable behavior are known and applied when appropriate. Students and staff feel responsible for the successful operation of the school. Students and staff are provided with opportunities to relate to each other in appropriate ways. The perceptions, feelings, and behaviors of members of the school community reveal that the school is a place where people are comfortable, feel welcome, and are able to be successful. The safety, orderliness, and caring found in any school overlap, but delineating them enables better understanding of what is necessary to establish and maintain these conditions in schools.