What is Culture?
Culture is a system of shared values, beliefs, behaviors and customs which are used by a group of individuals to adapt to their surroundings.
What is School Culture?
The term school culture generally refers to the beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes, and written and unwritten rules that shape and influence every aspect of how a school functions, but it also encompasses more concrete issues such as the physical and emotional safety of students, the cleanliness of classrooms and public spaces, or the degree to which a school embraces and celebrates racial, ethnic, linguistic, or cultural diversity.
(Great Schools Partnership, 2013)
(Great Schools Partnership, 2013)
Who is Involved in School Culture?
Anyone who is employed by, attends, or has an invested interest in the school is involved in school culture; this includes but is not limited to:
(New York State Education Department, 2012)
- Students and their families, including persons in parental relation
- Teachers
- Administrators
- Counselors, social workers, school nurses, parent coordinators, PTA members
- Related service providers
- School safety personnel and resource officers
- Cafeteria, custodial, and other support staff
- Transportation staff
- Community organizations
(New York State Education Department, 2012)
Elements of a Positive School Culture:
The following list is a representative selection of a few characteristics commonly associated with positive school cultures:
(New York State Education Department, 2012)
- The individual successes of teachers and students are recognized and celebrated.
- Relationships and interactions are characterized by openness, trust, respect, and appreciation.
- Staff relationships are collegial, collaborative, and productive, and all staff members are held to high professional standards.
- Students and staff members feel emotionally and physical safe, and the school’s policies and facilities promote student safety.
- School leaders, teachers, and staff members model positive behaviors for students.
- Mistakes not punished as failures, but they are seen as opportunities to learn and grow for both students and educators.
- Students are consistently held to high academic expectations, and a majority of students meet or exceed those expectations.
- Important leadership decisions are made collaboratively with input from staff members, students, and parents.
- Criticism, when voiced, is constructive and well-intentioned, not antagonistic or self-serving.
- Educational resources and learning opportunities are equitably distributed, and all students, including minorities and students with disabilities, are given the support they need to succeed academically.
- All students have access to the academic support and services they may need to succeed.
(New York State Education Department, 2012)