This refers to the traditions, values, beliefs, and symbols that are unique to a school. A school’s culture is manifested in the way it operates and it’s what makes it separate from other schools.
School culture is an essential part of the school experience. Typically, school leaders are at the forefront of building a good school culture. They’re supported by other members of the school and stakeholders when devising and implementing systems and plans focused on student success. Having a good school culture with transparent practices, rules, data plans, and feedback loops help educators deliver instructions in a positive setting. However, a positive school culture can’t be created overnight. It takes time and practice.
A good school culture is largely dependent on strong, overlapping, and cohesive connections and interactions among all members of the organization. School leaders should take the lead in building strong relationships among teachers, administrators, students, parents, and other staff. They should also include student voices to craft practices and policies that support student learning and a safe and positive school environment. These processes are deliberate efforts by the leaders to connect the learning environment and the student experience and focus on both systems and instructions to build and sustain an upbeat school culture and environment.
Beliefs, actions, and values will spread the farthest and be firmly reinforced when everyone interacts without doubt, fear, and discrimination. In a strong school culture, leaders interact directly with administrators, teachers, counselors, families, etc., who also communicate amongst themselves directly. When communications are restricted, and there are fewer connections, a culture becomes weaker. For example, if some teachers never interact directly with their principal, or any staff member is made to work in isolation, or an administrator is repeatedly excluded from communications, it will be an uphill task to spread messages about shared commitments and beliefs.
A good culture arises from messages that endorse traits like honesty, collaboration, and hard work. Focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion of the teachers, staff, and students are equally crucial for building a positive school culture. All these factors will influence how students, educators, and other staff members are engaged in different school activities and even influence their actions. When teachers, other staff members, and students have strong positive relationships, it’ll encourage emotional and social learning for students.
A holistic sense of responsibility is another hallmark of good school culture. When everyone contributes toward the upkeep of culture and equally attends to and shares the responsibility for developing and sustaining it, it’ll surely lead to institutional success.
