Conducting a School Culture Audit

Every school has a culture that reflects underlying values that shape patterns of behavior among the people who are part of the school community. Over time every school develops its own personality. It is shaped by the people who work in the school, the community the school serves, the students who attend the school and the way these groups respond to the successes, tragedies and daily events at the school.

Successful school leaders recognize the power of culture to shape their school. They regularly audit their school's culture and work with their staff and community to make the culture more positive and supportive of student success. Here are some ways to assess the culture in your school.

• At a staff meeting, ask each person to list five adjectives that describe the school's culture. Organize the words into common themes and discuss their meaning.

• Walk the halls of your school. What do you see? What artifacts are visible that convey messages about student success? About the value of rigorous work? About a commitment to not accepting failure?

• Talk with a cross-section of teachers or students. What gets them excited about their work? About their learning? What do they find joy in?

• Consider the last three months. What have you done to show your enthusiasm for learning? For student success? How have you recognized and rewarded students and staff?

We hope you will consider these strategies about ways to audit the culture of your school. We'd love to hear others ideas that you find successful to nurture and sustain a positive school culture.