Liann Page February 27, 2015

Promoting a Positive
School Climate:
Making a social, physical, and academic
environment that benefits your
students, teachers, staff, parents, and
community
ih.constantcontact.com

What is School Climate?

"School culture is the set of
norms, values and beliefs, rituals
and ceremonies, symbols and
stories that make up the 'persona'
of the school," Education World
2015
National School Climate Center
(2015) suggests that schools
foster an environment where
people:
feel safe and supported
engage in learning
actively participate and
upkeep surroundings

Key Dimensions
Safety
- Set clear rules about violence
Adventure
and be consistent
withWorks
1234 Lake Street
enforcement
Portland, OR 64124
Relationships
(219) 555-0154
- Encourage mutual respect
and get to know students
Sunday
TeachingOpen
and Learning
through
Thursday:
- Support
student
learning
11
A.M.
to
P.M.
academically and 11
socially
and Saturday:
ExternalFriday
Environment
11 A.M. to midnight
- Promote connectedness and
maintain clean and orderly
facilities. National School Climate Center

Benefits: What the research says?

Motivation
Mental Health
Physical Health
Self-Esteem

Absenteeism
Substance Abuse
Violence
National School Climate Center

Liann Page February 27, 2015

How Do You Build a Positive School Climate?

Its a Team Effort!

School climate is larger than any one
person's experience. When people work
together, a group process emerges that is
bigger that any one person's actions.
National School Climate Center (2015)

Recommendations
School-Level Practices
-

Host student-centered events such as

talent/music shows to highlight students gifts
and passion
Hold information meetings to update parents on
upcoming events and parents options on how to
participate in school activities
Use school surveys from parents and students
to determine policy and practices

Classroom-Level Practices
-

Create parent and student buddy systems to

welcome newcomers
Set up classroom to reflect the diversity of the
students
Teach students how to lower stress levels with
relaxing techniques such as meditation and
yoga

Student-Level Practices
-

Develop student leaders by assigning student

jobs and rotating roles so that every student
has the chance to be a leader
Expose students to different careers by inviting
individuals to share their life story and
experience
Encourage students to get involved in the
community and volunteer with a local
organization
Ontario Ministry of Education

Tips for Teachers

Explicitly teach students
routines and procedures
Be a No-Nonsense
Nurturer (Have rules, but
reach out to students)
Let the students do to the
work (minimize lectures)

Teaching Channel

Tips for Administrators

Applaud your staff during
meetings to highlight
accomplishments
Promote collaboration
among staff
Emphasize the importance
of commitment to learning
through professional
development
Reflect on positive and
negative contributions to
school climate and make
changes accordingly

Education World

Sources
-

McCarty, R. 3 Things I Wish I Knew about Classroom Management. Retrieved 2/25/15

National School Climate Center . School Climate Brief.
Education World Is Your Schools Climate Toxic or Positive?, Retrieved 2/27/15
Ontario Ministry of Education. Promoting a Positive School Climate: A Resource for Schools. Retrieved 2/27/15