The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide school administrators with effective programs that are successful in lessening high-risk behaviors among students. Qualitative research methodology was used to collect data through personal interviews and document analysis. The sample population consisted of five senior high school principals administering in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.The research questions investigated key components included in senior high school prevention programs to address high-risk behaviors among students. The methods and indicators of success utilized to determine the effectiveness of the high schools' prevention programs were also examined.As a result of the study, it was found that all of the senior high schools implement preventative and reactive programs to address drug, alcohol and tobacco use and violent activity among students. Specific programs to reduce sexual activity among students were only implemented in one of the five senior high schools participating in this study. Key components included in the programming efforts to reduce high-risk behaviors include increasing student academic achievement, engaging students in their school community, strategies to develop restraint and resistance skills, conflict resolution skills and efforts to build meaningful student-adult relationships.Only one school objectively measures its' program's effectiveness in reducing high-risk behaviors among students. The remainder of the schools utilize subjective evaluations to support the effectiveness of the programming efforts
