Unconventional Approach to School Store in Illinois

Students at Lewis and Clark Junior High in Wood River, Illinois, have a new school store this year stocked with things like t-shirts, notebooks, stress balls, and water bottles for the purchasing. However, this school store doesn’t accept cash or credit.

Students pay for their purchases with Patriot Pride Bucks, a form of currency which is earned through good behavior. Faculty and administrators issue Pride Bucks when they see students demonstrate exceptional behavior in school, such as picking up trash, helping a peer, or walking down the right side of the hallway. A stress ball costs two Pride Bucks, a t-shirt 10, and hooded sweatshirts, which will be available later in the year, will cost 25. Students can redeem their bucks for items on the last Friday of every month.

The program was instituted this year by the Student Council in an effort to improve behavior in the school. The Council re-purposed a room previously used for in-school suspension and christened the new school store with red, white, and blue stars and “Patriots” lettering. Since the program’s inception, students and faculty alike have already noticed a marked improvement in behavior and respect among students. Members of the Council also hope that the store will aid in the development of life skills that can be used both in and out of the classroom.