School Climate

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School Climate

Schools create and maintain a positive and democratic school climate that promotes students’ civic development, engagement, and sense of belonging by including:

A clean, welcoming environment with visual reminders of the school’s civic mission and representation of the student population
Copies of the school’s mission statement and/or values displayed throughout the school, referenced regularly, and updated periodically based on student voice and students’ lived experiences
Classrooms and hallways decorated with work reflective of teachers’ and students’ civic engagement
Teachers and administration serving as role models of civically engaged community members and who are candid about their own civic engagement when appropriate
Principals and teachers attending to student identities and interacting positively and respectfully with them
School policies, practices, and infrastructure supporting a set of civic norms and values
Restorative and democratic disciplinary practices work towards racial equity in application and strategy through whole school adoption and training

Concept Map

Definition

Schools create and maintain a positive and democratic school climate that promotes students’ civic development, engagement and sense of belonging

Evidence

Mission Statement display
Student Code of Conduct
Furniture promotes comfort and collaboration
Students have certain areas that they can design and/or decorate
Disciplinary data
Student surveys on belonging
5Essentials Data on School Climate
Student Bill of Rights

Examples

Teachers are trained in the use of restorative practices to address disciplinary matters in their classrooms
Student work related to their civic engagement is displayed throughout the school
Peer juries support student leadership to address peer conflicts
Student handbook and school code of conduct supports building civic norms and values
Teachers and administrators model their own civic engagement with students

Connections to Principles of “Lived Civics”

School mission statements are updated based on student voice and students’ lived experiences
Administrators and teachers attend to student identities and interact positively and respectfully with students
Administrators, teachers and students reflect on the power dynamics that exist in schools

Case Study

An integral part of Metea Valley High School is the Metea LIFE statement, which is prominently displayed throughout the building. This mission to Live with Integrity, Inspire a Passion for Learning, Foster Positive Relationships, and Expect Equity and Excellence for All is woven into the fabric of the school. Whether displayed on classroom posters, brandished on stairway risers, or used as talking points during a Principal address, it is a common message on what the school values, how the school community should act, and how the school approaches learning.

Beyond the LIFE statement, Metea is an environment that seeks to involve all students. Through its activities, events, and programs, diversity is celebrated. Students are encouraged to have a voice in their school and community through clubs and activities such as student government, the Principal Advisory Board, and Metea Media; all eagerly invite students to share their authentic voices in creating the school environment. Teachers work purposefully to build positive and meaningful relationships with students, and when necessary, implement restorative justice principles in disciplinary situations. And as a part of their orientation, new teachers are trained on the civic mission of the school and how the Metea LIFE statement supports that mission.