Peer Mediation Services

Metropolitan Mediation Services offers peer mediation program design, implementation, and training

What Is Peer Mediation?

Peer Mediation is a student-led way of addressing conflict. Trained student mediators facilitate a confidential conversation as a neutral third party. Peer mediators support students in conflict to come up with their own mutually agreeable way to move forward, but mediators do not decide who is right or wrong or suggest possible agreements. Participation is voluntary and peer mediation can be one of many ways a school addresses conflict.

What We Offer

MMS helps students become mediators through our 20-hour peer mediator training, which includes role plays coached by experienced mediators. Our curriculum and program design is tailored to your needs. We provide case screening, data collection, and mediation supervision.

  • Learning Objectives

    • Active Listening
    • Reframing and using neutral language
    • Asking open-ended questions
    • Identifying and generating options
    • Summarizing: validating, showing we’re listening, clarifying the story
    • Facilitation skills: Explaining the process, Keep conversation on track, giving parties equal space

  • Outcomes

    • Empowers students to take ownership of their own issues
    • Builds leadership skills for peer mediator
    • Teaches and improves communication skills
    • Supports healthy interpersonal relationships
    • Resolves issues before they escalate

  • Training Components

    • Process: The steps of mediation
    • Skills: What you need to do as a mediator
    • Context: Why we do mediation, what it is an alternative to, its impact
    • Input: Let students be the experts on their school climate and help design the program
    • Practice: Opportunity to gain confidence and put the skills to use.

  • Past School Partnerships

    • English High School
    • Revere High School
    • Fall River school district
    • Rafael Hernandez middle School
    • Boston Arts Academy
    • Grew Elementary School