Shaping School Culture

1. School culture is the invisible force shaping educational outcomes

Culture consists of the stable, underlying social meanings that shape beliefs and behavior over time.

Defining school culture. School culture encompasses the shared beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape behavior and give meaning to daily activities within a school. It's the invisible force that influences how teachers teach, how students learn, and how the entire school community interacts. This culture is expressed through symbols, rituals, traditions, and stories that are unique to each school.

Impact on performance. Research consistently shows that a strong, positive school culture correlates with improved student achievement, increased teacher satisfaction, and overall school effectiveness. Schools with cohesive cultures focused on student learning and continuous improvement tend to outperform those without such cultures. This underscores the importance of understanding and actively shaping school culture as a key lever for educational improvement.

2. Symbols, rituals, and traditions are the building blocks of school culture

Rituals reveal values at their deepest level...People express in ritual what moves them most, and since the form of expression is conventionalized and obligatory, it is the values of the group that are revealed.

Symbolic elements. School cultures are built and maintained through various symbolic elements:

• Physical symbols: School mascots, logos, architecture, and displays of student work
• Rituals: Daily routines, ceremonies, and special events that reinforce core values
• Traditions: Recurring practices that connect the present to the school's history
• Language: Mottos, slogans, and unique vocabulary that express shared beliefs

Cultural reinforcement. These elements serve to continually reinforce and communicate the school's values and expectations. They provide a sense of belonging and shared identity for students, staff, and the broader school community. Effective school leaders consciously cultivate and manage these symbolic aspects to strengthen positive cultural norms and practices.

3. History and stories form the foundation of a school's identity

The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see.

Power of history. A school's history provides context for its current culture and helps shape its future direction. Understanding the key events, challenges, and successes that have shaped a school over time allows leaders to better interpret present-day cultural patterns and make informed decisions about future changes.

Storytelling as cultural transmission. Stories are a powerful tool for transmitting cultural values and beliefs. They provide concrete examples of what the school stands for and what it means to be a member of that community. Effective leaders cultivate and share stories that:

• Illustrate core values in action
• Celebrate successes and learning from failures
• Connect current efforts to the school's broader mission and history
• Inspire and motivate staff and students

4. Positive school cultures foster achievement and innovation

What the best and wisest parent wants for his [or her] own child, that must be what the community wants for all its children. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and unlovely; acted on it becomes a threat to democracy.

Characteristics of positive cultures. Schools with strong, positive cultures typically exhibit:

• A clear, shared sense of purpose focused on student learning
• High expectations for all students and staff
• A commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
• Collaborative relationships among staff
• Celebrations of success and recognition of effort
• Strong connections with parents and the community

Benefits. Such cultures create environments where:

• Teachers feel empowered and motivated to excel
• Students are engaged and take ownership of their learning
• New ideas are welcomed and risks are encouraged
• Problems are seen as opportunities for growth
• The entire school community feels a sense of pride and belonging

5. Toxic school cultures hinder progress and must be transformed

A toxic culture is one where the most pure souls are viewed with suspicion, of course, they must have an ulterior motive...It is one where the nice guys finish last and the sociopaths win.

Signs of toxic cultures. Negative school cultures may exhibit:

• Low morale and widespread cynicism
• Resistance to change and innovation
• Blame-shifting and lack of accountability
• Isolation and fragmentation among staff
• Apathy towards student needs and outcomes
• Hostility towards parents and community involvement

Transformation strategies. Addressing toxic cultures requires:

1. Acknowledging the problem openly
2. Identifying and addressing root causes
3. Rebuilding trust through consistent, positive actions
4. Celebrating small wins to build momentum
5. Empowering positive influencers within the school
6. Aligning structures and practices with desired cultural values

6. School leaders play crucial roles in shaping and maintaining culture

We believe America's schools are currently awry. Decades of reform have pressured to make them more rational, efficient, and technically sophisticated. In contrast, we believe schools need a fresh dose of symbolism to revive their cultural roots and restore their contemporary verve.

Leadership roles. Effective cultural leadership involves:

1. Historian: Understanding and honoring the school's past
2. Anthropological sleuth: Decoding current cultural patterns
3. Visionary: Articulating a compelling future
4. Symbolic champion: Embodying core values through actions
5. Potter: Shaping cultural elements to align with desired outcomes
6. Poet: Using language to inspire and reinforce cultural ideals
7. Actor: Participating in and directing cultural "performances"
8. Healer: Addressing cultural wounds and facilitating transitions

Distributed leadership. While principals play a central role, cultural leadership should be distributed throughout the school. Teachers, staff, students, and even parents can contribute to shaping and maintaining a positive school culture.

7. Balancing structural and cultural demands is key to effective leadership

To achieve this objective requires a profound shift in how school administrators think about schools and their roles. Fundamentally, they need to become cultural stewards as well as structural wardens.

The balancing act. Effective school leadership requires:

• Attending to both the technical aspects of school management (schedules, budgets, policies) and the cultural dimensions (values, relationships, meaning)
• Recognizing that structural changes often have symbolic implications, and vice versa
• Finding ways to accomplish multiple goals through single actions

Bifocal leadership. Leaders must develop "bifocal" vision, able to focus on:

• Short-term needs and long-term cultural development
• Rational processes and emotional/spiritual dimensions of school life
• Individual perspectives and the broader organizational context

8. Connecting with parents and community strengthens school culture

Schools have a unique relationship with parents, local communities, and the wider society. Viewed economically, parents are "suppliers" who send their homegrown "raw material" to be transformed into well-educated, productive adults. But parents, along with local communities and the society at large, are also "consumers" of the "products" of schools.

Building partnerships. Strong school cultures extend beyond the school walls to embrace:

• Parents as essential partners in their children's education
• Community members as resources and supporters
• Local businesses and organizations as collaborators

Strategies for connection:

• Regular, meaningful communication through multiple channels
• Opportunities for parent and community involvement in school activities
• Celebrations that bring the entire school community together
• Transparency about school goals, challenges, and successes
• Cultural responsiveness to diverse community needs and values

9. Embracing paradox allows leaders to navigate complex challenges

Paradox compels leaders in the school from principals to teachers, from parents to students, to consider new ways of thinking and reflecting.

Common paradoxes. School leaders often face seemingly contradictory demands:

• Maintaining stability while driving change
• Empowering others while maintaining ultimate responsibility
• Focusing on immediate needs while planning for the long-term
• Balancing individual needs with organizational goals
• Promoting both structure and flexibility

Paradoxical thinking. Rather than viewing these as either/or choices, effective leaders:

• Seek creative solutions that address multiple needs simultaneously
• Embrace the tension between opposing forces as a source of energy and innovation
• Develop comfort with ambiguity and complexity
• Model nuanced thinking for staff and students

10. A new narrative is needed to revitalize American education

We believe America's schools are currently awry. Decades of reform have pressured to make them more rational, efficient, and technically sophisticated. In contrast, we believe schools need a fresh dose of symbolism to revive their cultural roots and restore their contemporary verve.

Limitations of current approaches. The emphasis on standardized testing and narrow accountability measures has:

• Narrowed curriculum and reduced innovation
• Demoralized educators and students
• Failed to significantly improve overall educational outcomes

A cultural renaissance. Revitalizing American education requires:

• Refocusing on the deeper purposes of education beyond test scores
• Empowering educators as professionals and cultural leaders
• Celebrating the unique cultures and strengths of individual schools
• Fostering creativity, critical thinking, and love of learning
• Building stronger connections between schools and their communities

Balancing act. The challenge is to maintain high standards and accountability while also nurturing the cultural and spiritual dimensions that give meaning and purpose to education. This requires a new narrative that values both measurable outcomes and the intangible aspects of learning and human development.

Last updated: April 12, 2025