Discussions of gang-related activity in a school or school system are often avoided until the school has significant numbers of gang members or a major event occurs in or near a school building. However, the increasing gang presence and the increasing violence among gang members indicates the need for a more specific approach. The extent of gang impact on a school will vary with the age range served, the social disorganization in the neighborhood, socioeconomic disparity in the school, gang activities in the area, community concern and response, and the response of the school building and district. Preventing and intervening in gang violence in schools involves seven steps: (1) identifying and defining the scope of gang activity in or near the school, (2) identifying gang members, (3) defining the scope of the problem, (4) training staff, (5) developing student educational strategies, (6) developing dress and behavior codes as necessary, and (7) developing and publishing school safety plans. Sample materials and 57 references