What is School Climate?

School climate is based on

patterns of peoples experiences of

school life and reflects norms,
goals, values, interpersonal
relationships, teaching and learning
practices, and organizational
structures.
-National School Climate Council
(2007)

Why is School Climate so

Important?
Numerous scientific studies show
that a positive school climate
increases:

By implementing a plan to
improve school climate,
we are committed to a
learning-based approach
to discipline, not a school
to prison pipeline.

Graduation rates
Academic achievement
Teacher retention
Positive student mental
and physical health

National School Climate Council. School Climate

Research Summary, Aug. 2012

Source: suspensionstories.com, 2015

Source: wholechildeducation.org, 2013

Think about these 5

areas in relation to your
school culture:
1. Safety

Do the students, teachers, and staff

feel emotionally and physically safe
at the school?
Do the school norms reflect a safe
environment?

2. Relationships

Does the school celebrate diversity?

Do the teachers and staff know the
names of all the students and do the
students know more than just their
teacher?
Are administrative staff
approachable and available?

3. Teaching and Learning

Does the school encourage

emotional learning as well as
academic learning?
Are teachers encouraged to
collaborate and attend professional
development?

4. Institutional Environment

Does the school look clean and

manicured?
Does the school feel welcoming and
safe?

Source: leadershipwithpurpose.net, 2013

Useful Resources:
schoolclimate.org

educationworld.com

cde.ca.gov

The image below depicts how we as

administrators can implement and
evaluate our school climate plans.

5. School Climate
Improvement

What plans does the school have in

place to enhance their school
climate and revisit it regularly?

Source: The 12 Dimensions of School Climate

Measured, schoolclimate.org/climate
Source: schoolclimate.org/climate/process.php

What does a positive school

climate look like?
Safety

Positive discipline in the

classroom
Consider in-school suspension
before out-of-school suspension,
with student access to teacher
support.

Relationships

Inter-grade event participation.

Some schools implement
Families, where students from
different grades come together
once a month to participate in
an event. (ex: PRIDE Academy,
Santee SD)
Teachers promote collaboration
and constructivism in the
classroom.
Superintendent, Principals, and
teachers communicate clearly
and often.

Source: cfchildren.org/second-step

Teaching and
Learning

Second Step or another form

of social-emotional learning
implemented in the
classroom.
(www.cfchildren.org/second
-step)
Teachers are given
experienced mentors and
are able to attend
professional development
events.

Institutional
Environment

Clean and inviting school.

Student work on the walls.
Security measures do not
overpower the friendly feel
of the school.

High standards cant be imposed on a

school from outside. Local leadership
makes the difference whether its littering,
cheating, attendance, or achievement.
-Suzanne Tingley, school principal, 2013
http://blogs.scholastic.com/practical_lead
ership/2013/06/what-influences-schoolculture.html

School Climate
Improvement

The school has a climate

plan and performs regular
climate surveys.

Sources: Creating a Positive School Climate,

all4ed.org: Committee for Children-Second
Step, cfchildren.org/second-step;
schoolclimate.org