What is the culture of a school?
The Glossary of Education Reform defines school culture as referring “..to the beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes, and written and unwritten rules that shape and influence every aspect of how a school functions ..”
Much of our school cultures are tied to history and tradition, and it’s not uncommon to take things as, “This is how we’ve always done it.” Nevertheless, every school has the power to improve school culture and make positive changes in the lives of its students, teachers, and families.
Why is a positive school culture important?
Culture is your school’s north. It shapes how your staff, students, and families experience learning and teaching. It dictates school climate and the decisions leaders make regarding policies and resources. A positive school culture is directly tied to student achievement and teacher retention. It becomes that place where all parents and families want to send their children.
How can you build a positive school culture?
Administer a School Climate and Culture Survey:
Get relevant, actionable data on how your community is experiencing their school. Giving your families, students, and staff a voice is a positive first step toward making meaningful changes.
Have a clear vision and mission.
A clear vision and mission are your school’s guideposts, providing the foundational direction each school needs. These statements clarify your values and goals. The mission statement focuses on present objectives, the vision on the future.
Here are some examples:
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley:
Our Mission
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley nurtures creative, multilingual learners, equipped to confidently embrace the delights and challenges of an interconnected world.
Our Vision
We are a force for good in the world, preparing our graduates to positively impact their diverse communities, and the local and international spaces in which we all belong.
South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD)
Mission
“Laying the Foundation for a Lifetime of Learning”
In partnership with our community, South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) will provide exceptional instruction, engaging experiences, and equitable and accessible opportunities and resources to further support our diverse student body, so that students are equipped to learn, thrive, and navigate their future with purpose and impact their community.
Make your school safe:
Physical, psychological, and emotional safety are tenets of a powerful, positive school culture. Belongingness and respect can be observed in how students interact with one another, with their teachers, in classes, and at recess. When students feel unsafe, they will not thrive.
Have strong leadership:
Your school leaders set the tone for your staff, students, and families to work toward the mission and vision. Leaders must walk the talk, showing trust, respect, and care for their community.
Improve and build relationships:
Relationships between teachers, families, and students shape the school culture. School leaders can plan workshops that involve the whole community – spaces for connection to promote shared values. Implement positive youth development programs and clubs at school to meet the diverse needs of your community.
Paint your classrooms:
Fix broken desks. Invest in good ventilation systems. Wash the windows. Create a clean, healthy educational environment. If there are green areas, keep them up. Involve students in planting and gardening. There are few things more demoralizing than a place that feels dingy and uncared for. How your school looks and feels sets the first impression on your school culture and values.
Improving school culture doesn’t happen in one big leap. It starts with a few core practices, done consistently and with real intention. When schools commit to small, steady steps, the atmosphere shifts, trust grows, and a stronger, healthier community begins to take shape.
