SCHOOL CULTURE & JOSTENS RENAISSANCE®

WHAT ARE SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE?

A hot topic in today’s schools is building culture and climate. But what does that mean anyways?

The terms “school culture” and “school climate” are often used together, but it’s important to distinguish between the two in order to get the full picture. School culture refers to the elements that make up the identity of a school, such as routines, norms, and traditions – “the way we do things here.” School climate refers to the way a school feels – the vibe, the attitude.

For example: part of American culture is Thanksgiving. Most families share in a tradition each year that comes with a set of relatively standard routines. That said, the climate can vary from family to family. In some families, the climate is formal, in others playful, and in some it can be toxic.

Climate (i.e. how a community feels) impacts participation in traditions, and culture (i.e. traditions and norms) impact how a place feels.

Similarly, both climate and culture are needed to make school a place where students and Staffulty* want to be. It’s a benevolent cycle; when everyone comes to count on regular occurrences of recognition and celebration, they feel good about putting effort into school, and they continue to do it. When everyone feels good about being part of the school community, they participate fully in the traditions and talk about how things are done, normalizing positivity and inclusion.

School Culture refers to the elements that make up the identity of a school, such as routines, norms, and traditions – “the way we do things here.”

School Climate refers to the way a school feels – the vibe, the attitude.

HOW DOES JOSTENS RENAISSANCE IMPACT SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE?

Thousands of schools use Jostens Renaissance as part of their School Improvement Plan as they work to boost student engagement and teacher motivation.

The Results Formula™ works to build a strong school culture with a joyful, focused climate. Renaissance schools identify the values they RESPECT, then RECOGNIZE and REWARD the actions they want to see. Schools REINFORCE their values through traditions and communication while creating strong RELATIONSHIPS. All of this works to create RESULTS.

Jostens Renaissance offers resources, events and community that support the use of The Results Formula so schools can build a culture where teachers love their job and students thrive in school.

WHAT DOES A RENAISSANCE SCHOOL LOOK LIKE?

Greenbrier High School in Tennessee has been a Jostens Renaissance school for over a decade. Watch their students and Staffulty describe how Renaissance has contributed to positive, long-term results for their school culture and academic achievement.

RESOURCES FOR SUPPORTING SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE

JostensRenaissance.com offers a variety of resources that schools use contribute to an intentional, inspirational school culture and a positive, inclusive climate, including:

Videos for Students

Becoming your best self. One episode at a time.

This character development resource offers videos and discussion guides that get students thinking about real perspectives from real people on topics that will help them achieve greater success in the outside world. Our four series are:

IDEA EXCHANGE

Ideas for schools, from schools

A collection of culture and climate-building ideas shared by schools across the United States and Canada. Find ideas to boost student engagement and staff morale that schools use and love! Some of our favorite culture-building ideas:

THE GREEN ROOM

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR ROCK STAR EDUCATORS

Designed to create dialogue and reflection amongst educators, these teacher or administrator-focused episodes come with helpful discussion guides and relevant resources. Recommended episodes: