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Violence at school can have a significant impact on young people, affecting their mental health, academic achievement, and socialization and adjustment. This brief examines that impact. It begins by defining school violence and examining the prevalence of exposure to, and victimization from, violence at school within a developmental framework. The most serious form of victimization, homicide at school, is discussed, and the early warning signs of the perpetration of violence are identified. The brief ends with a discussion of the behavioral and mental health consequences of exposure and victimization, and implications for strategies to ameliorate them. The challenge for educators is to react appropriately to warning signs of violence, but not to overreact. To respond adequately, schools need to employ appropriately trained mental health professionals who will be consistently available to students and staff. Mental health services should be considered part of the basic services provided to all students and staff. (Contains 13 references.) (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. OM PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AN