6 Steps to Building a Student-Run Rewards Store

Creating a rewards store is a big task but it's an even bigger opportunity for transforming your school culture.
By 
Hannah Kelly
 | 
January 20, 2023

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

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6 Steps to Building a Student-Run Rewards Store

Creating a rewards store is a big task but it's an even bigger opportunity for transforming your school culture.
By 
Hannah Kelly
 | 
January 20, 2023
A rewards store can be a major component of a school’s behavior system. Students see that the positive behaviors they show throughout the day can lead to a reward and encourages them to continue making positive choices. But, for the staff, running a store can be a major headache.

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

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Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.
A rewards store can be a major component of a school’s behavior system. Students see that the positive behaviors they show throughout the day can lead to a reward and encourages them to continue making positive choices. But, for the staff, running a store can be a major headache.

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

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Back
Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

6 Steps to Building a Student-Run Rewards Store

Creating a rewards store is a big task but it's an even bigger opportunity for transforming your school culture.
By 
Hannah Kelly
 | 
January 20, 2023

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

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We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

About the Presenter

Hannah works with the LiveSchool team as our Product Marketing Manager. She works diligently to help teachers and administrators improve school culture and student behavior.

She understands firsthand the challenges that LiveSchool addresses because she worked for seven years as a teacher in Metro Nashville Public Schools before joining the team full-time.

In addition to supporting educators achieve their culture vision, Hannah also enjoys rooting on the Cubs, playing tennis, trivia, and traveling!

About the Event

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

Register Now

About the Event

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

Arrow left
Back
Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

A rewards store can be a major component of a school’s behavior system. Students see that the positive behaviors they show throughout the day can lead to a reward and encourages them to continue making positive choices. But, for the staff, running a store can be a major headache.

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

All Reward Ideas for Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Anime Themed Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Career Day
Grades 3-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Blood Drive
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Free Dress
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Seating Choice
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Sweatshirt
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Graduation Celebration
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Talk Time
Grades 6-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Ice Cream Sundae Party
Grades K-12
Class/House
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Recess
Grades K-5
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Messenger
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Stuffed Animal in Class
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Firebird of the Month
Grades K-12
Student
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Social Media Reporter
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch with an Admin
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Gift Cards
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Deluxe

All Reward Ideas for Elementary School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Special Screening
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Lunch with an Admin
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Holiday Delivery
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Video Game Rewards
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Line Leader
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
School Spirit Day
Grades K-12
School
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Pack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Stuffed Animal in Class
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Firebird of the Month
Grades K-12
Student
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Morning Meeting Leader
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Jobs
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Career Day
Grades 3-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Recess
Grades K-5
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Meet the Teacher
Grades K-8
School
Event
Free

All Event Ideas for Schools

💰
🎨
Fake The Funk
💰
🎨
Trunk or Treat
💰
🎨
Music Fest
💰
🎨
House Induction
💰
🎨
Blood Drive
💰
🎨
Game Week
💰
🎨
School Dance
💰
🎨
Dance Party
💰
🎨
Silent Disco
💰
🎨
Meme Party

All Free Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Partner Work
🎉
👑
🎁
Class Jobs
🎉
👑
🎁
Extra Reading Time
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Messenger
🎉
👑
🎁
Drop Lowest Quiz
🎉
👑
🎁
Seat Swap
🎉
👑
🎁
Special Screening
🎉
👑
🎁
Meme Party

All Reward Ideas for High School Students

🎉
👑
🎁
Play Games
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Graduation Celebration
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
♟️Chess With the Principal
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Rolling Chair Rental
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Be a Comedian.
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
School Dance
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Technology
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Holiday Delivery
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Locker Choice
Grades 9-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Meme Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Homework Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Awards Show Afterparty
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Wristband
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Holiday Classroom Carousel
Grades 9-12
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY

All Reward Ideas for Middle School Students

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👑
🎁
Dress Up or Down Day
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
TikTok with the Teacher
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
STEM Field Day
Grades K-8
School
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Camp Read Away
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Get-to-Know-You Bingo
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Read Across America
Grades K-8
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Silent Disco
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Donate $1
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Loudspeaker Shoutout
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Meme Party
Grades 6-12
School
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Hat Pass
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Snack Pack
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Podcast
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Water Bottle Stickers
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Theme Party
Grades K-8
Class/House
Event
Low Cost/DIY

All Student Reward & Incentive Ideas

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Sports Tickets
Grades 3-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Pie a Teacher
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
TikTok with the Teacher
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Passing Period Music
Grades 3-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Books
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Technology
Grades 6-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Positive Note or Call Home
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Sweatshirt
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
💰
🎨
School Supplies & Merch
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Deluxe
💰
🎨
Wristband
Grades K-12
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
💰
🎨
Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Teacher Serenade
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
School Assembly
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Student Messenger
Grades 3-8
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Create the Seating Chart
Grades 6-12
Student
Privilege
Free
💰
🎨
Picnic Lunch
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY

All Virtual Reward Ideas for Schools

🎉
👑
🎁
Show & Tell
Grades K-8
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Host a Virtual Party. 🎶
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Digital Escape Rooms
Grades 6-12
Class/House
Privilege
Deluxe
🎉
👑
🎁
Teacher Q&A
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Classroom DJ
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Brain Break
Grades K-12
Student
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Talent Show. 🎤
Grades 3-12
Class/House
Event
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Virtual Field Trip
Grades K-12
Class/House
Privilege
Free
🎉
👑
🎁
Student Spotlight Board
Grades K-5
Student
Privilege
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Stickers
Grades K-5
Student
Tangible
Low Cost/DIY
🎉
👑
🎁
Certificate of Achievement
Grades K-12
Student
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6 Steps to Building a Student-Run Rewards Store

Creating a rewards store is a big task but it's an even bigger opportunity for transforming your school culture.
By 
Hannah Kelly
 | 
January 20, 2023
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A rewards store can be a major component of a school’s behavior system. Students see that the positive behaviors they show throughout the day can lead to a reward and encourages them to continue making positive choices. But, for the staff, running a store can be a major headache.

The store must be something that the students can rely on - it needs to be open regularly, stocked with plenty of options, manned by a store worker, and include regular communication.

So how can we make rewarding our students for the positive behavior they exhibit more sustainable? Put the students in charge!

What is a PBIS Store?

For schools that are running a PBIS system, they have behavior expectations in place and, most, have identified how they will recognize when students exhibit these behaviors. Many choose to create their own school currency that they hand out to students. Then, the students can use that currency to redeem rewards from the store.

The PBIS Store provides a real-world connection for the school and students with this currency. Students have the opportunity to purchase rewards and make real-life decisions like:

  • Should they use the small amount of money in their bank account for the little trinket? Or should they wait and save up for the bigger, more exciting item or experience?
  • If they see their friends getting the same little trinkets, is that how they want to spend their money, as well?
  • What do they need to do to earn more?

These questions plus many others are why schools take on the logistics of running a school reward store.

School Store Example

Benefits of a Student-Run Store

As mentioned, the store can be a big undertaking. You need to create a system where every student in your school has the opportunity to shop. Things you need to figure out include:

  • When is the store is open?
  • How will students shop?
  • When will they receive their purchases?
  • How will students know how much money they have in the bank account?
  • How much is each item? How will students know that?
  • Who will man the store?
  • How will we keep up with inventory?

This is A LOT for one person to handle, let alone a team of educators at your school that, no doubt, already have plenty on their plate. That’s where appointing students to help run your store is genius!

One option is to have students on your Store Advisory Board to help brainstorm new reward ideas that will be enticing to your student body. Or you can create student jobs for manning the store operations when it’s open. Another idea from Von Tobel Middle in Las Vegas, NV is to create a class where the students fulfill orders and deliver them to their peers. Learn more about their student run store here!

By allowing students to take ownership in this process you’re helping with buy-in but also providing leadership opportunities for the students: it’s win-win!

School Store Example

Steps to Setting Up Your Own PBIS Store

As you can see, planning and implementing a school store can be a lengthy process. Here are our recommendations for getting up and running:

Step 1: Create a Team

This team will be the ones creating the processes and running the day-to-day operations. We highly suggest setting up a regular meeting so that you can discuss how things are going and address any issues that arise.

Step 2: Identify the Rewards

Create a menu of rewards, whether physical, experiential or both, that your students can redeem. You will also need to determine the price for each reward. We got you covered with our Rewards that Rock database of 100+ reward ideas to start the brainstorming.

Step 3: Redeeming the Rewards

Identify how the students will be able to shop in your store. Is it a physical space, like a closet or table in the cafeteria, where students can come and look around, or will everything be on a cart that your team takes from class-to-class?

School Store Example

If it’s an experiential reward, when will the students be able to partake? Is it ongoing (like eating lunch with the Principal where they could have a list of students each week) or during a specific date/time? Also, make sure you have a way to identify the students that are partaking in the reward.

You can consider an app like LiveSchool to help with this very system.

School Store Example

Step 4: Store Hours

Providing consistent opportunities for your students to redeem rewards is imperative to getting buy-in. Determine how often your store will be open and when students will be able to shop.

Antioch Middle, in Nashville, TN, has their student-run store open for 30 minutes before school every week!

School Store Example

Step 5: Inventory

If you are including physical rewards, you will need to make sure there is a way to keep track of the inventory. You don’t want to have a student redeem a reward and then realize after the fact that you don’t have any more of that item. Plus, you will need an easy way to know when a re-order is needed.

Step 6: Marketing the Store

As with any system, it’s all about the buy-in! Make sure students are aware of the rewards you’re offering in the store or when they will have opportunities to redeem them. Use the morning or afternoon announcements to provide reminders and have your student leaders put up posters around the school to keep everyone updated.

Organization will be key in creating a sustainable system so make sure you have a plan for how you will keep track of all the moving parts within the store. And that includes creating jobs for each student and a schedule so everyone is on the same page. Check out this student job application and store order form from Antioch Middle for inspiration.

Want to improve the rewards experience for your younger students? Check out our rewards menu for elementary students.

Need more help constructing your incentive program? It can be a bit overwhelming, so we created a complete guide to rewarding students so everything you need is in one convenient place. For more on establishing your own store you should check out episode 35 of our podcast, six steps to building a student-run rewards store.

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Rewards that Rock 🎸 has 100+ rewards, incentives, and event ideas to build your school culture.
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