School Climate

A positive school climate can have profound impacts on student success, safety, and well-being. Research shows that when schools and districts focus on promoting a positive school climate, students are more likely to develop trusting relationships with their peers, teachers, and others in the school community; demonstrate positive behaviors; and achieve better outcomes. In the absence of a positive school climate, a student may feel disconnected and engage in destructive or violent behaviors.

School climate improvement is the strategic effort undertaken by a school to achieve a positive climate by considering its practices, systems, and structure. The measurement of school climate provides educators with necessary data to identify school needs, set goals, and track progress toward improvement.

Strategies to Consider

There are several strategies schools and districts can consider to create and sustain a positive school climate. Some of these measures include:

• Collect and analyze school data to assess current climate and apply interventions that improve student engagement, school safety, and the learning environment.
• Foster a safe school community by establishing bullying and youth substance use prevention programs, implementing physical safety measures to deter or reduce violence, and promoting inclusive classrooms.
• Enable a supportive academic, disciplinary, and physical environment by encouraging achievement-oriented behavior, eliminating discrimination in the administration of student discipline, and keeping school facilities in good condition.
• Build strong school connections and relationships by showing students they are valued and respected and implementing positive behavior management strategies in the classroom.