Records show that Cruz was referred to the program as an eighth grader in November 2013, just a few months after it began, after he broke the handle on a bathroom faucet. Under the Promise Program, students who commit minor crimes or conduct violations like minor vandalism, petty theft, harassment and fighting are referred to the off-campus program for two-to-10 days, depending on the offense's severity. They are assessed, given a course of treatment, attend classes and receive counseling aimed at changing their behavior. Records show that almost 90 percent of Promise participants never reoffend, Gualtieri said.