What Is School Culture? Definitions, Examples, and Climate Explained

A school’s environment has a direct impact on its success. Positive learning environments empower both students and staff, helping schools fulfill their mission. School leaders play a vital role in shaping that learning environment by focusing on the elements that set its tone and making classrooms a space where students thrive and educators are inspired to excel.

One key determinant of the quality of a learning environment is school culture, the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that make up a school community. Understanding what it is and how you can shape it is an essential first step in promoting a positive learning environment.

This guide explains what school culture is and provides actionable strategies for strengthening it. In addition, you’ll learn how the online Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Leadership – Principal Endorsement program at Aurora University prepares educators with the knowledge and skills to foster a positive, high-performing school culture.

What Is School Culture?

Simply put, school culture is how things function within a school. It can also be thought of as a school’s personality. The term describes the beliefs, values, traditions, and norms shared by a school’s community, including administration, teachers, staff, students, and parents.

Culture affects how everyone within a school behaves. It contributes to interactions between teachers and administrators, communication with families, and classroom practices and learning experiences. Rather than a fixed trait, school culture is a characteristic that evolves over time. While gradual shifts occur naturally, meaningful and lasting improvements occur when leaders, educators, and families work together to drive positive change with a shared vision and values.

School Culture and Climate

School culture and climate both contribute to the quality of learning environments. Although connected, they describe two distinct features of schools. School culture refers to the overarching values, traditions, and beliefs that shape how things typically occur within a school. It describes characteristics that persist over months and years.

On the other hand, school climate refers to the day-to-day atmosphere within a school. The attitudes and perspectives of administrators, educators, students, and parents directly influence school climate. While school culture evolves gradually, climate can shift in response to events, leadership changes, or external pressures.

Maintaining alignment between a school’s culture and climate is essential for its long-term success. When everyday interactions and decisions reflect the institution’s shared values, schools demonstrate authenticity and integrity. Over time, this consistency strengthens trust, reduces misunderstandings about expectations, and builds stronger, more supportive school communities.

School Culture Examples

The school culture definition becomes easier to understand when you see how it functions in the real world. Some school culture examples include the following:

• Teachers and staff emphasize collaboration over competition, working together to support student success.
• Annual school-wide events like spirit weeks, book fairs, and science fairs bring the community together.
• Older students serve as mentors and guides for younger students, creating a supportive environment across grade levels.
• Students and teachers regularly volunteer together to serve the surrounding community.
• Staff and administrators greet each other and students by name in the halls, reflecting a welcoming spirit throughout the school.
• Educators value in-class participation alongside test scores, recognizing multiple ways students demonstrate learning.
• A school’s mission statement articulates its core values and guides decision-making at all levels.

The difference between school culture and climate comes down to attitudes, beliefs and values vs. behaviors and actions. For example, a belief that student discipline should be equitable and measured is part of school culture, while administrators and teachers developing and implementing fair, consistent discipline policies contribute to school climate.

Why Does School Culture Matter?

School culture matters. It plays a vital role in shaping the experiences of students, educators, and the greater community. A positive, well-defined school culture makes students feel more comfortable and secure, allowing them to focus more on learning and achieving their full academic potential.

For teachers and staff, a positive school culture builds connection and a shared purpose. When educators feel aligned with their school’s mission and values, morale and retention improve, creating a more stable, motivated workforce.

Schools that demonstrate consistent alignment between their stated values and daily practices earn the trust of families and the communities they serve. This trust leads to greater parental involvement, stronger partnerships, and a school environment that supports success for everyone.

How Do Educational Leaders Influence School Culture?

Educational leaders greatly influence school culture. They are responsible for setting the vision and expectations of a school, giving them unique opportunities to make choices that build on the established mission and traditions. Leaders can shape culture by encouraging inclusivity and collaboration that reinforce a school’s values and beliefs.

Educational leaders can also consciously reinforce key school values through their daily behaviors and interactions. By modeling the attitudes and communication they expect from others, they create alignment between a school’s culture and climate, ensuring that the values guiding the institution are consistently reflected in daily practice.

Developing Leadership Skills at Aurora University

Aurora University’s MA in Educational Leadership online degree prepares educators to shape positive school culture by emphasizing leadership strategies, organizational change, and student-centered outcomes. Its flexible online format can meet the needs of working educators who are ready to advance their careers and impact their own schools and communities.

Aurora University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) approves of the online MA in Educational Leadership program. As a result, the program meets the training requirements for obtaining a principal endorsement in Illinois. The degree also lays the groundwork for graduate-level study in the Superintendent Endorsement or Doctor of Education programs.

Learn Effective Ways to Shape School Culture as a Leader

With the right skills and strategies, principals can build a school culture that uplifts and supports students, staff, and parents. Advancing your education strengthens your ability to affect positive change and create environments where everyone can thrive.

Aurora University’s online degree in educational leadership offers the flexibility to pursue an advanced degree while continuing to meet your professional responsibilities. In addition to preparing you to lead cultural change within schools, the affordable, SEPLB-approved program can help you qualify for principal positions within Illinois. Apply today to AU’s online MA in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement program and prepare to learn effective ways to shape school culture as an educational leader.