Case Study: Creating a Trauma-Informed School

Fall-Hamilton Elementary School, a diverse urban school in Nashville, Tennessee, faced numerous challenges, including high disciplinary rates, low academic achievement, and a lack of engagement among students. Recognizing the need for change, the school embarked on a journey to become trauma informed.

Referring to the guidelines on how to become a trauma-informed school, the staff at Fall-Hamilton undertook the following steps:

1. Training and education. The school provided comprehensive training to all staff members, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and new classroom strategies.
2. Assessing the school environment. The physical space was redesigned to be more inviting, and policies were revised to prioritize supportive interventions over punitive measures.
3. Building a supportive team. Fall-Hamilton Elementary formed a trauma-informed care team that met regularly to develop and implement trauma-informed policies and practices. The also hired a full-time trauma-informed practitioner to help guide the staff using evidence-based interventions and strategies.
4. Communication and collaboration. Teachers, counselors, and administrators began working closely together, sharing insights about students’ needs and progress.
5. Trauma-informed classroom practices. Teachers implemented trauma-sensitive practices, including morning check-ins, mindful breathing exercises, and conflict resolution strategies.
6. Providing resources. The school partnered with a local mental health organization to offer counseling and support services to students and families. The Leader in Me social–emotional learning curriculum (based on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for Kids) was also implemented schoolwide.
7. Evaluation and continuous improvement. Fall-Hamilton Elementary regularly assessed its progress and made adjustments based on feedback from students and staff. Over time, the school saw significant improvements in academic achievement, reduced disciplinary issues, and increased student engagement. Students reported feeling safer and more supported, and teachers noted improved classroom dynamics and stronger relationships with students.

 Is your school wanting adopt trauma-informed practices? Here are 10 core areas of focus for trauma-informed schools:

1. Identifying and assessing traumatic stress.
2. Addressing and treating traumatic stress.
3. Teaching trauma education and awareness.
4. Creating partnerships with students and families.
5. Designing a trauma-informed learning environment (including a focus on social–emotional skills and wellness).
6. Being culturally responsive.
7. Integrating emergency management and crisis response.
8. Understanding and addressing staff self-care and secondary traumatic stress.
9. Evaluating and revising school discipline policies and practices.
10. Collaborating across systems and establishing community partnerships.

PAR offers assessments such as the FACT, TSCC, and the TSYCC to help in your diagnosis of trauma and development interventions to support the functioning of students. We also offer companion materials such as Dr. Steven Feifer's book The Neuropsychology of Stress and Trauma: How to Develop a Trauma Informed School and Dr. Kirby Wycoff/Bettina Franzese Essentials of Trauma-Informed Assessment and Intervention in School and Community Settings to will help you navigate your options in becoming a trauma-informed school. Rely on PAR to be your resource for trauma in school-age children.

Case study data adapted from An Inside Look at Trauma-Informed Practices, 2018, T. Berger, Edutopia.