Top Hat, Real Talk: A Tiered Journey of PBIS

Over the past sixteen years, Williamsport Area High School has cultivated and refined a school-wide positive behavior support system known as Top Hat PRIDE, grounded in the principles of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This presentation will walk participants through the evolving journey of implementation—celebrating our successes while honestly confronting the mistakes and lessons learned along the way. Rooted in a tiered framework of support, our PBIS model is anchored by five foundational elements: clearly defined behavior expectations, explicit instruction of those expectations, consistency in adult responses, a data-driven decision-making system, and a comprehensive recognition/reward system. These components have been developed, tested, and adapted in real time to reflect student needs, staff capacity, and school-wide priorities. As our program has matured, so has our approach to Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions. We’ll share how we’ve organized teams and systems to deliver targeted supports for students needing more than the universal framework, including mentoring, check-in/check-out systems, and individualized plans. Critical to this work has been establishing effective structures for teacher communication and feedback, gaining staff buy-in, and aligning our demerit and consequence systems with the values of PBIS rather than punitive discipline. Throughout the session, we will blend theoretical frameworks with practical tools, including how we developed a common language around behavior, created a positive reinforcement culture, and used data to pivot when things weren’t working. Participants will leave with implementation resources, reflection tools, and ideas adaptable to their own school contexts—whether they are just beginning or are deep into the PBIS journey. Above all, this presentation tells the honest story of a school that committed to doing the work—even when it was messy—to build a culture of consistency, connection, and pride.