How To Build a School Safety Plan Focused on Physical Security

From natural disasters to bullying and targeted acts of violence, schools face a wide range of potential threats. Ensuring the safety of students and staff requires proactive planning, collaboration, and the implementation of meaningful physical security measures.

A robust school safety plan is essential — not just as a document that checks off compliance requirements, but as a practical framework for protecting everyone on campus from specific threats, including targeted violence. 

While no plan can eliminate every risk, a strong focus on physical security can significantly reduce the likelihood and impact of emergencies, particularly in the face of increasing active threats in schools.

What Is a School Safety Plan?

A school safety plan is a comprehensive set of strategies and procedures designed to prevent, respond to, and recover from a wide array of emergency situations. These plans are typically developed in coordination with law enforcement, school staff, and the broader school community, including parents and local emergency responders.

A well-rounded school safety plan addresses incidents such as:

• Severe weather events (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes)
• Fires and floods
• Pandemics or health crises
• Bullying and behavioral threats
• Mass casualty incidents
• Active threats or acts of violence on campus

Most states require school districts to maintain updated safety plans, and some offer specific guidelines regarding what these plans must include. Schools should consult both state and federal resources, such as those from the U.S. Department of Education, for foundational best practices.

Key Steps To Building a School Safety Plan

A school safety plan should be actionable and specific. It’s also important to regularly review and update it. Below are the essential steps every school should take to create a comprehensive plan.

1. Conduct a Threat Assessment

The first step in building an effective school safety plan is conducting a professional threat assessment. This process involves evaluating the unique risks faced by a specific campus or district, both physical and behavioral.

A comprehensive threat assessment includes:

• Identifying internal and external threats (e.g., violent individuals, weather hazards)
• Assessing the safety climate and identifying risk factors like bullying or gang activity
• Performing a site assessment to evaluate physical vulnerabilities and determine needed improvements

Based on these findings, schools can implement solutions such as:

• Access control systems and visitor management
• Perimeter fencing or controlled entry points
• Installation of impact-resistant security glazing
• Surveillance systems and monitored alarms
• On-site security personnel or school resource officers

2. Designate a School Safety Planning Team

Every school needs a dedicated team responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the school safety plan. This group may include a mix of school and district employees as well as external collaborators:

• School administrators
• Teachers and staff representatives
• Local law enforcement and emergency responders
• Mental health professionals
• Parent and community stakeholders

This team should meet regularly to update plans, review safety incidents, and ensure proper training and communication are maintained across the school community.

3. Implement Anonymous Reporting Systems

Early intervention is one of the most effective ways to prevent crises. Establishing anonymous reporting tools, such as online portals, tip lines, or mobile apps, allows students, staff, and families to report suspicious behavior or safety concerns without fear of retaliation.

Many school violence incidents have been prevented thanks to timely tips. These systems should be easy to access, widely publicized, and actively monitored.

4. Develop Emergency Action Plans

Also called emergency operations plans or response protocols, these are detailed procedures for how to act before, during, and after various emergency situations.

Action plans should be tailored to the school’s location and risks, including:

• Evacuation and shelter-in-place protocols
• Lockdown procedures during an active threat
• Response to natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, fires)
• Reunification plans for families post-crisis

Clear roles and responsibilities should be assigned to specific staff members for each emergency type.

5. Train Staff and Conduct Drills

A school safety plan is only effective if staff and students know how to follow it. Training and drills are critical for reinforcing protocols and identifying potential weaknesses in emergency plans. Regular safety training should cover:

• Lockdown drills and active threat simulations
• Fire and evacuation drills
• Communication protocols during emergencies
• First aid procedures
• Mental health and trauma-informed practices

These drills should be conducted at least twice per school year and reviewed for continuous improvement.

6. Establish a School Emergency Recovery Plan

Recovery is a crucial, and often overlooked, part of any school safety plan. After a crisis, students and staff need support to recover emotionally, physically, and academically. The recovery plan should include:

• Access to mental health professionals and counseling services
• Facility repair and physical rebuilding plans
• Communication strategies with families and the community
• Continuity of learning plans to minimize academic disruption

A quick, compassionate post-emergency recovery helps restore a sense of normalcy and resilience across the wider school community, from classrooms to homes.

Reinforcing School Safety Plans with Physical Security Measures

While planning and prevention are essential, physical security is the backbone of a truly effective school safety plan. Unfortunately, many schools remain vulnerable due to outdated infrastructure or insufficient security barriers.

This is where Riot Glass makes a powerful difference.

How Riot Glass Supports School Safety

Riot Glass retrofit security glazing solutions strengthen vulnerable access points like doors and windows without compromising visibility or aesthetics. These systems are engineered to withstand a wide range of threats, including:

• Forced entry: Riot Glass delays or prevents intruders from breaching classrooms or entryways, buying valuable time for occupants to get to safety and for first responders to arrive.
• Active threats: Security glazing can help deny access and contain violent threats, limiting access to targeted areas and preventing further harm.
• Storm damage: In hurricane-prone or high-wind areas, Riot Glass protects students and staff from flying debris and glass hazards.
• Vandalism and property damage: Reinforced glass helps schools minimize repair costs and downtime after break-ins or attacks.

Because Riot Glass products can often be installed over existing glass, schools can significantly upgrade their physical security without the high costs of full window and door glazing replacements.

Our team works directly with school and district administrators, security consultants, and facility managers to assess vulnerabilities and recommend the right solutions for each campus.

Final Thoughts

Schools today operate in an extremely high-risk security climate, so school safety plans must go beyond checklists and theoretical procedures. They need to prioritize real-world physical protection that can save lives and reduce harm in the event of an emergency.

From proactive threat assessments to virtually unbreakable security glazing, each layer of your school safety plan plays a vital role in creating a safer learning environment.

Riot Glass is proud to support schools in their mission to protect students, staff, and faculty through practical, effective physical security solutions. 

Contact us today to learn more about how our retrofit glazing systems can strengthen your school safety plan and make your campus more resilient to today’s threats.