An exploratory model was constructed on the assumption that adolescents' exposure to violence predicts their heightened concern about violent incidents occurring. The model, which incorporated an ecological perspective, was tested with a sample of 422 suburban middle school students. Participants responded to measures assessing concern about violent incidents occurring and actual exposure to violence in four prevalent areas. Students reporting more exposure to violence at school also reported greater exposure outside of school, and exposure was related to higher concern. Being bullied, both at school and elsewhere, and having property stolen at school were most influential in predicting student concern about violence. The findings identify areas contributing to student concern while supporting an ecological approach to addressing adolescent concern about violence. They provide potentially useful insights for educators about perceptions of school safety among middle-class, suburban, early adolescents. Given the results, further study that might support generalization of these findings across multiple environmental settings appears warranted. Three tables at the end of the paper contain study survey statistics (means, standard deviations, bivariate correlations, and multiple regression results of responses). (Contains 16 references.) (RT)