The public health prevention model forms the basis for most violence prevention programs. This model includes prevention efforts at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Violence prevention programs that work provide individual attention to students and multiple activities that involve parents, teachers, and community leaders and residents. Specific elements of promising violence prevention programs that have been identified by experts include clear behavior norms, skills training strongly based on theory, comprehensive and multifaceted approach, coordination across programs, physical and administrative changes, at least 10 to 20 sessions, training for all school staff, multiple teaching methods, and cultural sensitivity. Challenges schools face in selecting appropriate violence prevention programs are considered, and specific violence prevention programs are briefly described in table format. 31 references and 2 tables