School culture is intangible, but it is important because it not only influences academic achievement, but also affects how comfortable students and staff members are in their learning environment. The Glossary of Education Reform defines school culture as “the beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes, and written and unwritten rules that shape and influence every aspect of how a school functions." But the term can also refer to whether students feel physically and emotionally safe, how orderly the classrooms and common areas are and how the school handles issues of diversity.

These elements require the input from all stakeholders. Students are likely more perceptive about their school's culture than adults. According to a YouthTruth Student Survey, only one in three students across all grade levels rate their school culture positively. That perception appears to diminish the longer students remain in school: 44% of 6th graders said their schools had a positive school culture compared to only 28% of 11th grade students.

Read the full article about school culture by Amelia Harper at Education Dive.