JCARM Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies JCARM 3139-7247 Ivory and Finch Publishers 10.5281/zenodo.21350690 JCARM_JUN_26_140 Original Research Article The Code of the School: Investigating the Age at Which the "Code" Begins to Influence School Violence Among Students Akakpo Yoo Georgia State University yakakpo1@gsu.edu Danso Bamfo Humphrey University of Cape Coast Amazon Brett Georgia State University Akakpo Etornam Illinois State University 14 07 2026 1 5

Exclusionary disciplinary practices are increasingly implemented in schools, frequently without addressing the underlying causes of student violence. The concept of the “code of the school” describes how certain students transform school suspension into a protective strategy to gain respect and avoid victimization. This study features qualitative interviews from four Illinois communities: Normal, Bloomington, Peoria, and Chicago. The research conceptualizes student violence as a reaction to insufficient school safety measures, which may leave students feeling vulnerable and responsible for their own security. The findings indicate that fifth grade represents a critical turning point, as some students begin to use violence defensively. Additionally, the results identify the school bus as a prevalent setting for bullying and suggest that the social dynamics associated with the “code of the school” may also be present in international school contexts.

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