This brief presents an overview of a comprehensive school safety plan that combines calm and sound attention to the violence that currently pervades children's lives. With regard to the absolute probability of encountering violence or being victimized by crime, schools are the social setting in which students are most protected and least likely to be harmed. However, the surety of school safety varies by community, and if the definition of school safety is expanded to include traveling to and from school and time spent with acquaintances after school, the insulation from harm is lessened considerably. Identifying youth who are likely to be violent is best undertaken early in the elementary grades. In most cases, the school can play a key role in developing within-school behavior management strategies and connecting these strategies with those that can be used at home. Special strategies for inner-city schools may be needed to counter the belief that aggression is a necessary response to frustration. A three-pronged approach to school safety is suggested that includes: (1) implementation of a behavior-based identification of high risk youth and organization of youth services; (2) creation and maintenance of an organizational atmosphere that undermines acceptance of violence in the schools; and (3) implementation of strategies to prevent violence among the portion of the school population that is not at high risk. (Contains 25 references.) (SLD)