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MCC Law Center Programs and Resources

SCORE Mediation Program!

We offer on-site peer mediation and restorative justice circles at Lowell High School. Sullivan Middle School, Butler Middle School, the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, and other community programs.

Our services are available to students, teachers and other staff members to resolve conflicts, as well as Restorative Justice Circles. The SCORE peer mediation program is a schools-based, violence prevention program funded by MCC, the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration and Lowell Public Schools.

Peer mediation is:

  • An opportunity to sit down in a more calm and relaxed setting and work through a problem
  • Completed by trained student peer mediators under the supervision of the adult mediation coordinator or site coordinator
  • Needed when two or more students (or teachers) have a problem with each other that they are unable to solve
  • Offered for problems that may involve gossip, rumors, teasing, friendship issues, girl/boyfriend issues or name-calling, including through facebook posting, texting and tweeting
  • Not for more serious issues, such as bullying, which should be referred to an administrator
  • Confidential, except when safety is a concern
  • Voluntary, so if one party refuses to attend, then the mediation does not take place

Once a referral is made, the adult mediation coordinator meets with each student individually to get more information about the incident and explain the details of mediation. If all parties agree, they will be brought together in mediation with peer mediators and have the chance to say what is on their minds and decide how to resolve their problem.

Referral Guidelines

  • A student can refer themself or a classmates by asking a teacher or an administrator, or by visiting the mediation room
  • A teacher can refer a student by calling or emailing the mediation coordinator

SCORE Peer Mediation FAQs

  • Peer mediation is a program that is available to students and staff  to help resolve disagreements.
  • It is an opportunity to sit down in a more calm and relaxed setting and work through a problem.

  • Trained student peer mediators under the supervision of the adult mediation coordinator or an administrator

  • Peer mediation is needed when two or more students (or teachers) have a problem with each other that they are unable to solve.
  • Problems appropriate for mediation may involve gossip, rumors, teasing, friendship issues, girl/boyfriend issues or name-calling, including through facebook posting, texting and tweeting.
  • More serious issues, such as bullying, are not appropriate for mediation and should be referred to the housemasters.

  • When you are having a problem with another student that you are unable to resolve.

  • Anyone can refer a problem for mediation.
  • A student can refer another student, or themselves.
  • Students can refer themselves by asking their teacher for a pass to go to the mediation room.
  • A student can tell their housemaster and they can refer you to mediation.
  • A teacher can refer a student by calling or emailing the mediation coordinator.
  • All referrals are kept confidential unless otherwise requested.

  • Anyone can refer a problem for mediation by calling or emailing the mediation coordinator.
  • All referrals are kept confidential unless otherwise requested.

  • Once a referral is made, the adult mediation coordinator meets with each student individually to get more information about the incident and explain the details of mediation.
  • If all parties agree, they will be brought together in mediation with peer mediators and have the chance to say what is on their minds and decide how to resolve their problem.

  • Everything said in mediation is kept confidential, except when safety is a concern.

  • Mediation is voluntary, so if one party refuses to attend peer mediation then the mediation doesn’t take place.