How to Build a Positive School Culture and Climate?.

Students learn specific positive actions in the classroom, but they practice them in the whole school, and reinforcement is stronger when they are encouraged to do so through the school climate program. Students engaged in positive actions improve the school atmosphere.

They become more friendly, courteous, and helpful toward their peers, teachers, and support staff. Competition decreases inside the classroom and out on the playground. Students ask “Can I help you?” not “How can I be better than you?”

Students like it; they come to school. Teachers like it; they can teach. Parents like it; they see improvement.

8 Essential Aspects to Improve Climate and Culture in Schools

1. Promote a safe and orderly learning environment
2. Clarify and focus the school’s mission on educating students
3. Enable the Principal to lead and support the school in positive directions
4. Help students gain higher expectations for their own success and the success of their peers
5. Enable teachers to teach and students to learn skills that will help them succeed
6. Help students manage their own behavior
7. Promote frequent monitoring of student progress
8. Improve home-school relations.

The Positive Action products include Climate Development Kits for both elementary and secondary settings. They include lessons and materials that Principals or other school leaders can use when promoting the Positive Action philosophy throughout the school. These efforts can greatly enhance implementation since students learn Positive Action skills and concepts outside of the classroom.

This additional reinforcement is most effective when the whole school is committed to Positive Action. Positive Action doesn’t have to stop at the classroom. With Positive Action, school climate development extends to the hallways, cafeteria and gymnasium.