The majority of students at Coleman Elementary School come from difficult backgrounds. With nearly 25% of Baltimore residents living below the poverty line, many children do not come from stable homes. In fact, 80% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
The school’s principal, Carlillian Thompson, explains that some of the students are homeless. Many of them have no food or electricity at home and are regular witnesses to crime. So the school does its best to create a safe space for the students, where their needs are met. Meditation instead of detention: what happens in schools?
While some of us may have been little angels in class as children, many of us have probably got into trouble at least once or twice in school. 
Meditation instead of punishment
The school claims that the programme has had a noticeable effect on the learning environment and student productivity.
One student described how students who come into the meditation room are boisterous and get into mischief. When they leave, however, they are calm, quiet and ready to do their work.
Since the start of the programme, Ms. Thompson says she sees virtually no disciplinary problems among the students.