search
cart

Second Step® Insights

Creating a Positive School Climate: 5 Strategies for Success

July 31, 2024 | By: The Second Step® Team

The start of a new school year is a great time to focus on boosting school climate. While each school’s definition of positive school climate may be slightly different, they all focus on the quality and character of school life, striving for everyone to feel a sense of belonging and be set up for success. Studies show that creating a more positive school climate can lead to benefits like improved academic achievement, feelings of connectedness, healthy relationships, and student engagement, as well as benefits for educators, such as improved teacher well-being and school commitment.

From the classroom all the way to the principal’s office, we’ve laid out five strategies to help create an environment where everyone can thrive.

1. Greet students at the door

Whether it’s a fist bump, a high five, or a nod and a name, studies show that greeting students at the door improves student engagement. Acknowledging kids in the hallways and common areas has benefits, too. Even minimal interactions can increase students’ feelings of connection and belonging. And that contributes to a positive climate in classrooms and throughout school.

2. Offer extracurriculars for extra connections

Creating opportunities for kids to engage outside of class has benefits today and in the future. Research shows a link between consistent participation in extracurricular activities and increased interpersonal competence and educational success, including going to college. It’s important to note that extracurriculars include much more than sports and drama. Any activity connecting students outside of regular learning time counts—such as arts, robotics, green team, gaming club, animal welfare, or business club. Holding a lunchtime fair about all your school’s clubs and activities is a great way to share opportunities. Volunteering to lead a club can extend teacher-student relationship building opportunities, too.

3. Lead with empathy from the top down

Principal leadership style matters. According to a study on elementary-school principals’ leadership styles, staff members perceived a more positive school climate when they viewed their principal as collaborative. The ripple effect of teachers feeling heard and supported can lead to greater commitment to their school and a more positive school climate. Administrators can also contribute to school climate by providing professional development and implementing adult social-emotional learning (SEL) programs like Second Step® SEL for Adults. This program’s designed to help educators build trust, manage stress, explore equity and belonging, and cultivate resilience and efficacy.

4. Create great learning environments

Positive school climate stems from the physical environment, too, including clean and safe playgrounds, hallways and common areas, and classrooms. It’s beneficial for educators to understand their students’ diverse learning needs and design classrooms where everyone can easily access material and interact with their peers. Positive learning environments extend to how students feel in those spaces, so you can use your physical space to promote a positive school climate. For instance, you could hang posters and signs that celebrate the diversity of your school community and your commitment to anti-bullying efforts.

5. Incorporate student voices and choices

When students are included and allowed to collaborate on school issues that impact them, their engagement could contribute to positive school climate. From broad school policies to classroom norms, giving students voice and choice can help improve relationships, participation, and school climate. Instead of just delivering classroom rules, invite students to collaborate. When students see that their opinions matter, it helps ensure a sense of ownership, increasing the odds of them sticking with the new system.

Subscribe to our blog, Second Step® Insights, to read more about the benefits of incorporating SEL into your school or classroom.

Schedule a free consultation to learn how the Second Step® family of K–12 programs can align with your district’s social-emotional and academic goals.