Good data can drive decision-making that makes a difference in the lives of the students, families, and staff at your school and in your school district. Educational leaders have been turning to School Culture and Climate surveys to equip themselves with data that is necessary to implement meaningful actions.
What is school climate?
At CustomInsight for Schools, we define school climate as what it feels like to be at a school every day. It’s shaped by how students, staff, and families treat one another, the values everyone shares, and the day-to-day experiences that happen in classrooms and hallways.
Factors include: school safety, belonging, student-teacher relationships, teaching and learning, the school environment, and leadership.
“A good, inviting school climate is not a random occurrence. It is something that takes planning, hard work, and consistency.” – Judi Kimrey, teacher and administrator
Can school climate data predict academic success? ~ How does school climate relate to learning?
The data is in, and a positive school climate is a key predictor of student success. As Strobel Education writes, “The influence of school climate goes beyond mental health, extending to the academic performance of students.”
All factors of a positive school climate contribute to improved learning outcomes. Here’s how:
Safety & Belonging: When students feel safe—both physically and emotionally—and feel like they truly belong, they’re more open to learning. Behavior issues tend to decrease, and students feel more connected to their school.
Strong Relationships: Positive, trusting relationships between students and teachers matter. These connections help protect students during times of change (like moving from middle to high school) and support both academic success and overall adjustment.
Teaching and Learning: Schools do better when there are clear academic expectations and when teachers believe students can succeed. That belief makes a difference.
School Environment: A healthy school environment considers the physical, psychological, and social-emotional environment. It’s an environment that guarantees the physical and emotional safety of the community, one of respect. It’s an environment where its teachers, students, staff, and families feel valued, and the learning expectations are clear. All of these things support learning.
How does school climate help student well-being?
Authors and educational experts Linda Darling-Hammond and Jennifer DePaoli write in The National Association of State Boards of Education: Why School Climate Matters and What Can be Done to Improve It. “School relationships are especially critical for the 46 million U.S. children exposed each year to abuse, neglect, hunger, homelessness, the death of a parent, or community violence. Trauma and adversity can lead to chronic stress, which damages the chemical and physical structures of a child’s developing brain and can lead to problems with attention, concentration, memory, and creativity. Even one stable relationship with a committed adult can help buffer a child from the effects of serious adversity. Being in a supportive environment has even stronger effects on healing.”
Even one stable relationship with a committed adult can help buffer a child from the effects of serious adversity. Being in a supportive environment has even stronger effects on healing.
Darling-Hamond, DePaoli
From Data to Action ~ How to Conduct and Act on School Climate Survey Data
Identify Strengths and Opportunities
Start by noticing what’s working well. These strengths are worth protecting and building on. At the same time, the data can highlight specific areas that may need attention, like relationships, safety, or a sense of belonging.
Add Context to the Data
Survey results tell an important part of the story, but they don’t tell everything. Look at the survey comments, organize focus groups, and talk to your community to get a better understanding of the “why” behind the numbers. This can help bring the data to life.
Connect to What You’re Already Doing
School climate data is most powerful when it’s not used in isolation. Align it with existing school improvement efforts, equity initiatives, or strategic goals to create a more complete, coordinated picture.
Improve learning outcomes and set the stage for academic success with the data you get from a School Culture and Climate Survey.
