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Building a Positive School Culture: The Power of School Climate Surveys

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Think back to high school. Did you look forward to going to school? When you walked into the building did you feel welcome and like you belonged? Did you feel like your teachers cared about you, and were you excited about what you were learning? These perceptions, whether positive or negative, are the foundation of school climate and have a lasting impact on students’ ability to learn, their behavior, and their overall sense of well-being.

 

The climate of a school is not experienced in the same way by everyone. What makes one student feel included can make another feel excluded. Because perceptions about school climate are subjective, it’s important to regularly assess how students feel about their learning environment using a school climate survey.    

 

By assessing students’ perceptions of their sense of safety, relationships with peers and teachers, and overall engagement with learning, school climate surveys help educators foster more inclusive, supportive, and motivating learning environments.

 

While a students’ school experience is broad and is often affected by a variety of factors, its baseline lives in the classroom. By choosing a survey that prioritizes class-level data, educators are able to assess and respond to that data in ways that positively impact student learning conditions in the classroom, influencing school climate where it counts.   

 

Keep reading to learn more about using school climate surveys as a tool to create a positive school culture that is responsive to the diverse needs of your students. 

Video: Students Reflect on the Importance of Measuring School Climate

In this short video, students share why measuring school climate is important and how the PERTS school climate and culture survey helped improve their school experiences.

School Climate Surveys: The Basics

As states, districts, and schools explore how to measure school climate, one of the biggest questions they face is which survey to use. With the wide variety of available tools, it's crucial to select a school climate survey that aligns with the specific needs of your community and provides actionable insights. Educators and administrators should consider factors such as the survey's reliability, the relevance of the questions, and how the results can inform targeted strategies to foster a positive school environment.

What Is School Climate?

Before selecting a school climate survey it’s important to first understand what school climate is. The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments defines school climate as a “broad, multifaceted concept that involves many aspects of the student’s educational experience.” In other words, school climate is the quality and character of school life.

 

A positive school climate includes:

  • Norms, values, and expectations that foster a sense of social, emotional, and physical safety for all.

  • A supportive and rigorous academic environment.

  • Fair and equitable discipline practices.

  • The cultivation of respectful and caring relationships throughout the entire school community.

  • Collaboration among students, families, and educators to build and embody a shared school vision.

 

Much research has found that a positive school climate improves student academic performance and well-being. 

  • A 2016 study examined the connection between school climate and student achievement across 230 urban school districts in five states and found the quality of the school climate to be the single most predictive factor in a school’s ability to enhance student achievement.

  • A 2018 study by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research found that principals significantly influenced student academic performance by fostering improvements in school climate.

  • O’Brennan and Bradshaw conducted a study in 2013 that shows that cultivating a positive school climate can help address behavior and mental health outcomes. Moreover, they found that a positive school climate is associated with fewer discipline problems, lower suspensions, and even lower rates of student drug and alcohol usage.

Why Are School Climate Surveys Important?

School climate surveys can play a key role in fostering a positive school culture. The data from school climate surveys provide valuable insights into students' perceptions of their learning environment. This information helps educators identify strengths and areas for improvement, enabling them to take steps to address issues that impact students' well-being and academic success. By doing so, educators are able to lay the foundation for an improved school climate and better student outcomes.

 

Additionally, by giving students a voice in shaping their learning environment through a school climate survey, educators can promote a sense of ownership and engagement in learning, which results in increased motivation and better academic performance.

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How to Choose a School Climate Survey

When selecting a school climate survey for your institution, there are several criteria to consider, including whether the survey is valid and reliable, which aspects of school climate are measured, and whether the resulting data are presented in a way that is easy for educators to use to drive improvement.

 

Below are important questions to ask when choosing a school climate survey.

Does the School Climate Survey Measure the Aspects that Most Impact Student Learning?

A school climate survey should provide students with the opportunity to share their perceptions about the aspects of the learning environment that most influence their ability to engage and learn.  

Below are example questions that illustrate several key areas that school climate surveys can measure to provide a well-rounded understanding of the school environment:
 

  • Safety and Security
    Example survey question: I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and opinions in this class.

  • Student Engagement 
    Example survey question: This teacher makes what we’re learning really interesting.

  • Relationships and Support 
    Example survey question: This teacher lets me know they believe I can do well in this class.

  • Inclusive Practices 
    Example survey question: In this class, I worry about being judged negatively based on my group membership(s) (e.g., race, gender, social class, etc.).

  • School Leadership and Communication 
    Example survey question: I receive clear academic feedback from this instructor.

Learning Conditions That Impact School Climate

Learn more about the critical school climate learning conditions for both secondary school and higher education.

Is Your School Climate Survey Backed by Research?

School climate surveys should be evidence-based and have high reliability to ensure that the data collected are consistent and accurate over time. Valid and reliable surveys produce results that can be trusted to reflect the true perceptions and experiences of diverse groups of students, which minimizes the impact of random errors or biases.

 

Quality, research-based student climate surveys enable educators and administrators to make informed decisions based on the survey data and implement effective strategies to improve school climate that result in long-term positive student outcomes. Without reliable survey instruments, any interventions or improvements will be less likely to address the real issues affecting the school community.

Is Your School Climate Survey Data Actionable?

It's crucial to choose a survey that aligns with the school's specific needs and provides data that staff can act on to make improvements. How the data are presented and how easily they can be interpreted are critical to the effectiveness of a school climate survey. 

The data must be broken down by relevant groups, such as grade level, class, or student demographics, including race and gender. This enables administrators, teachers, and staff to gain a clearer, more nuanced understanding of the varying experiences of different populations throughout the school community. 

Robust reporting tools—such as data dashboards—are essential to analyze data easily by student subgroups, specific school climate criteria, date ranges, and more. This makes the data more accessible to everyone, from teachers to administrators, ensuring they can clearly see trends, identify areas in need of attention, and prioritize efforts accordingly. 

When teachers are able to use reporting tools to see data from students in their own classes, they are better equipped to measure and improve the learning conditions they directly shape in the classroom. Specific data available at the class level leads to specific action to foster positive learning environments. 

Perhaps most importantly, the data should be tied to specific actions educators can take. Survey results shouldn’t simply sit in a report—they should drive decision-making. By clearly linking the findings to actionable steps, schools can ensure that the student feedback gathered leads to concrete changes that enhance the school climate. Whether addressing issues related to student well-being, academic support, or equity, the data must be actionable and guide improvement strategies that will make a meaningful impact on improving school climate.

Finally, the data should help educators assess how effectively their school climate practices and improvements are supporting their goals. As educators implement new strategies, they should be able to track the impact of those practices over time. It's important to remember that each class is unique, and a change in practice that yields positive results in one class may not have the same effect in another.

School Climate Surveys, an Ongoing Practice

Given the role a positive school climate plays in student success, it is important for schools to measure school climate on a regular basis. Research shows that regularly conducting school climate surveys is an effective practice for providing schools with ongoing feedback from students about their perceptions of and feelings about the learning environment.

 

By incorporating student climate surveys into their assessment program, educators and administrators are able to monitor changes in students’ attitudes and perceptions, identify emerging issues, and make informed decisions. 


The insights from school culture surveys help educators proactively address concerns related to safety, inclusivity, and engagement. Data-driven decision-making also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback is not only valued but acted upon. This consistency empowers schools to create and maintain an environment where all students can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

PERTS’ Elevate and Ascend School Climate Surveys

The Elevate (for grades 6–12) and Ascend (for higher education) school climate surveys from PERTS are quality, evidence-based formative assessments that measure students' perceptions about the key school climate learning conditions. Robust reporting is provided, as well as highly actionable, research-backed instructional strategies that can enhance classroom practices, fostering increased student engagement and learning for all.

Elevate and Ascend Measure Key School Climate Learning Conditions

Schools and institutions can utilize PERTS’ school climate surveys to measure students’ perceptions of their classes and collect data on the key conditions that impact their students’ ability to learn. These data identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement in creating a positive, supportive, and effective school climate.

Key School Climate Learning Conditions

PERTS’ School Climate Survey Alignment Overview

Safety and Security


Educators can promote safe and secure learning environments by fostering inclusivity and acceptance, ensuring that everyone is valued, and all students can thrive.

PERTS’ school climate surveys measure the key aspects of safety and security, including whether:

 

  • Students feel accepted or threatened regarding their identity.

  • Students feel safe to engage and succeed in school.

  • Students feel that their teachers like and care about them.

  • Students feel that their school values diversity.

  • Students feel that their school discourages harmful stereotypes and defamatory language.

  • Students feel safe, comfortable, and accepted in class.

  • Students feel like they are treated with fairness and respect.

Student Engagement


Student engagement is crucial for fostering deeper learning because it enhances students' motivation, participation, and connection to the material. When students are actively engaged, they are more likely to succeed academically and develop essential skills for lifelong learning.

PERTS’ school climate surveys measure the key aspects of student engagement, including whether:

 

  • Students are involved in their learning.

  • Students feel a strong sense of belonging.

  • Students believe that their learning is relevant and meaningful.

  • Students feel supported by their teachers.

  • Students share a sense of community within their school.

  • Students feel that there is mutual support among their classmates.

  • Students believe their teachers set high expectations, recognize progress, and provide respectful, constructive feedback for improvement.

Relationships and Support



Positive student-teacher relationships and strong support are integral components of a healthy school climate, where students feel valued and encouraged to succeed.

PERTS’ school culture surveys measure key aspects of teacher support and connectedness, including whether:

 

  • Students believe their teachers care about them and are invested in their success.

  • Students have opportunities to provide input into what they’re learning.

  • Students feel their teachers provide the instructional support needed to succeed.

  • Students are clear on what they are supposed to be learning and how it fits into the broader concepts of the subject area.

  • Students learn to develop a growth mindset.

Inclusive Practices


Social isolation and uncertainty about belonging are negatively linked to achievement, performance, and well-being. Inclusiveness is a critical component of a positive school climate and impacts students’ ability to succeed.

PERTS’ school climate surveys measure inclusive practices, including whether:

 

  • Students feel that they belong at their school or institution.

  • Students feel a sense of community, acceptance, respect, and mutual support within their school.

  • Students believe that their school is effective in addressing and reducing bullying.

  • Students experience a sense of social connectedness with their peers.

Leadership and Communication



Strong leadership and effective communication are key to fostering a positive school climate. Consistency, equity, and fairness among all school staff are essential components of this environment.

PERTS’ school climate surveys measure students’ perceptions about leadership and communication, including whether:

 

  • Teachers develop routines and systems that promote the smooth functioning of the classroom.

  • Students feel that their teachers set clear expectations and ensure they understand their learning goals.

  • Students believe that their teachers model and promote inclusivity and acceptance in the classroom.

  • Students feel that there is respectful and open communication in their class and with their teachers.

PERTS School Climate Surveys Provide Actionable Data for Educators to Implement Instructional Changes

Elevate and Ascend by PERTS help educators improve school climate by providing insights into how students are experiencing school life along with strategies to enhance each school climate learning condition that the PERTS surveys measure.

  

Here are a few ways educators can utilize the data from the PERTS school climate surveys:

  • Educators are provided with several entry points for using their data to impact the students they teach directly. For example, they may choose to prioritize one or two areas with the most room for improvement. Or they could leverage areas of strength to build and maintain consistency in students’ school climate experiences.

  • By regularly assessing students’ experiences, educators can better understand and address students’ changing needs and concerns, measure the impact of their school climate programs, and track improvements over time.

  • Schools can begin by focusing on areas that align with their school mission and overall climate goals.

  • Educators can use the data to work toward broader goals or priorities within their school. For example, they may choose to use the data to align their programs with an equity goal or commitment.

 

However schools elect to utilize their school climate data, PERTS provides research-based practice guides and strategies for improvement for grades 6–12 and higher education for each learning condition. These resources further support schools and educators in taking meaningful and effective action based on their school climate survey data.

 

As educators implement new school climate practices, they can track the impact of these changes. Since every class is different, a school climate practice that has a positive effect in one class may not have the same impact in another, which is why it’s important to monitor and adjust strategies accordingly.

Getting Started with the Elevate and Ascend School Climate Surveys

A positive school culture creates an environment where students feel supported, engaged, and motivated to succeed, which directly influences academic outcomes. PERTS school climate surveys, Elevate and Ascend, enable educators to assess school culture, identify areas for improvement, implement effective programs and changes, and cultivate a more inclusive and thriving learning environment for all students.

 

Learn more about the PERTS school climate surveys today!

Ready to use PERTS school climate surveys to improve student outcomes?

PERTS school climate survey experts would love to discuss how we can help you measure and improve your school climate and culture, ensuring that every student has the support they need to reach their full potential.

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