Blogs
The Role of School Culture in Academic and Social Development

Introduction

What distinguishes one school from another. More often than not, it is not the buildings, uniforms or curriculum; it is about school culture. Research has shown that a healthy and positive school culture is related to academic climate and social skills in ways that could change the lives of students and the wider community.
A research piece published in 2021 in School Effectiveness and School Improvement notes that a school with a strong supportive culture can lead to a 30% increase in student engagement and academic outcomes. Let’s look at how a positive school culture can shape young minds and why this is more important than ever.

What is school culture?

School culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that shape how experienced adults, students and staff members interact with each other. Culture includes the policies and rules - but it goes beyond those; culture includes the feelings they experience on a daily basis when they walk through the school gates.
When children experience a strong academic climate and sense of school connectedness, they feel safe, valued as individual learners and ready to take that next step.

Key Elements of a Positive School Culture

A healthy school culture doesn't just happen. Schools that get it right recognize the value of creating a shared environment in which everyone feels engaged, participating, and respected. These schools create the right conditions for a healthy culture within their walls. This can be established through three key aspects:

Clear Values and Expectations

Everyone knows what behaviour is encouraged and what behaviour is discouraged. This gives everyone the opportunity to build trust and a consistent culture.

Inclusive School Environment

Diversity of students is embraced. These schools go beyond understanding their students come from a multitude of backgrounds, abilities, and identities and embrace what it means for adults to see all students, and support all students.

Open Communication

Teachers, students and parents talk openly about concerns and ideas. This creates shared discourse that promotes the community.

Strong teacher-student relationships

When students feel their teachers care about them they are more likely to stay engaged and perform better academically.
The American Institutes for Research 2022 reported that schools with higher levels of school connectedness positively affect behaviours associated with school bullying, which is reduced by upwards of 40%. Positive school culture then extends our understanding of school connectedness to extend to social well-being as well.

How School Culture Impacts Academic Climate

When students feel supported, respected, and safe, they are more likely to remain engaged in class, show up consistently, and put forth effort. This will enhance the learning environment and improve the overall academic performance of the school.

Here is how school culture positively influences academic climate:

Increases Student Engagement
A positive environment promotes students to do their best. They feel proud to belong to their school, and they will work harder to live up to their expectations.

Increases Teacher Effectiveness
Teachers in schools with strong cultures feel valued and motivated. This leads to higher-quality teaching, better lesson plans, and so on . The support provided to students becomes a much better experience.

Reduces Absenteeism and Dropouts
Students will come to school more regularly than not when they feel connected to their schools. According to research, a school with a positive culture can reduce absenteeism from 15-20%.

Creates a Safe Learning Environment
When there is little bullying and respectful relationships among students and adults, then students will concentrate in class and will participate in class discussions.

Encourages Higher Academic Expectations
In schools where everyone shares common values, students push each other to reach higher levels of performance. The community expectation of excellence is embedded in normal practice.

Promotes Fair and Consistent Discipline.

Good culture means fair rules and positive behaviour systems, enabling teachers to spend more time teaching rather than managing behaviours.

The Social Side: Building Social Development in Schools

A positive school climate supports not only children's academic development, but children's social development as well.

Positive benefits for students include:

Confidence and Self-Esteem

A feeling of safety and belonging increases students' self-efficacy.

Teamwork and Conflict Resolution

Inclusive schools provide opportunities for students to work collectively to develop strategies for responding to disagreements, showing respect for the differences in one another.

Emotional Resilience

The ability to cope with stress and other adverse events is supported in schools where belonging and acceptance are prioritized by staff and students.
In fact, a Harvard University study found that students from schools that maintain strong, positive school climates are twice as likely to report favorable mental health provinces.

How Schools Can Build a Positive Culture

Any school, regardless of how big or small, can improve its school culture. When students feel safe, respected, and happy they learn and grow much better. Here are some simple ways schools can improve school culture: 

Include Everyone

Make sure every single child feels included. Celebrate all different festivals, run fun clubs, and run activities which include all students to show them they matter. 

Hear From Students

Let students voice their opinions. Ask them things like rules in a class, questions about school trips, and what clubs they want. When kids feel they can give input they feel they belong. 

Support Teacher Learning Too 

Teachers need support like students do. Allow for training for teachers so they can see how to respond to challenges, how to be equitable for all students, and how to develop meaningful relationships with students. 

Collaborate With Parents and Community

Schools and parents are most effective when they work together. Connect with parents, bring them into the communication with regular updates or events, and consider sharing with them information on how to support their children at home. 

Assess the of Current Conditions 

What do students, parents, and teachers think about the school or educational setting? Ask them. Use short surveys, chat, talk privately, etc. Make small changes if something is in need of repair. 

Real-Life Example: The Power of School Culture

A survey conducted by Varthana, which supports private schools in India, found that the 20% increase in both student satisfaction and student performance from schools that established a strong school culture and inclusive school environment and connection to student learning was evidence of culture's undeniable impact on the success of a school.

Final Thoughts

Establishing a positive school culture is more than a few posters on the walls or speeches on annual day. It requires an everyday commitment to an environment that students feel connected to; a place where students feel safe, motivated, and connected.
Students who are provided with a healthy academic climate and establishment of school connectedness and commitment grow into confident learners and responsible citizens. Establishing culture is one of the smartest investment schools can make to influence lives – not just grades.

FAQs

1. What is school culture?
School culture is the feel, values, beliefs, and daily behaviours that inform interactions among students, teachers, and staff members. A positive culture fosters trust, respect, and belonging in the school's community.

2. In what ways does school culture interfere with academic climate?

A healthier school culture positively impacted the school academic climate, paying close attention to the health of the academic climate from a student perspective alongside individual student achievement can impact student feelings of safety, motivation, and support is likely to have a positive impact on attendance, student grades, and student-teacher relationships because students will not only feel safe, they will also feel supported by their teachers and peers within their learning.   

3. Why is school connectedness important to students?

If students feel connected to their school, they are more likely to be successful academically and develop social skills that contribute to overall well-being. Studies indicate that school connectedness decreases bullying and leads to improved mental health well-being. 

4. What does a positive school climate look like?

A positive school climate includes a solid foundation of clearly defined behavioural expectations, inclusion strategies to involve all learners, quality teacher-student relationships, open communication, and other student comfort strategies unified to help them feel valued, accepted into the school community, and engaged. Having a positive school climate enables students to feel comfortable and engaged in learning, leaving them to feel supported and valued.

5. What can schools do to advance a culture?

Advancing a culture requires systematic change at the building level. Schools can advance a culture by celebrating diversity and promotion of inclusive practices, acknowledging student voice, formal training of teachers regarding positive behavior management, and developing programs that involve their parents and community to develop discourse frames for belonging and respect. 

6. Can culture improve student performance?

Absolutely, studies show that schools with a strong culture of support often see a 20–30% increase in student engagement and academic results. Good culture and healthy school academic climate occur together.