5 Resources for Developing a Strong School Mission & Culture | XQ Institute
It’s February! That means we’re talking about the importance of cultivating a Strong Mission & Culture, one of the XQ School Design Principles .
A unifying set of values ensures every stakeholder is not only accountable but committed to helping every student realize their full potential-regardless of who they are or where they come from. Now, let’s get to it…
EXECUTE: GREAT LEADERS GET THINGS DONE
Creating a student-centered environment is easier said than done but not impossible. And great leadership is key to getting it done effectively. So, what are the 5 most effective actions school leaders can take and why?
- Foster a culture of risk-taking and innovation for teachers. This helps them get an understanding of the student’s learning experience.
- Involve teachers in developing a school-wide vision for teaching and learning, and the planning of how to achieve it. This helps them feel more personally tied to the work.
- Build opportunities for collaboration among teachers. It’s important to know what works and what doesn’t.
INSPIRE: ADVICE FROM SCHOOL LEADERS
When veteran school leaders shared tips on how to build a positive school culture, there was a clear consensus: School leaders should model positive attitudes and behaviors for staff and students. Doing so is proven to improve student outcomes and reduce teacher turnover. Here’s where to start:
- Recognize great work by acknowledging that person and extending the conversation about that work to someone else.
- Create an environment where communication is positive and affirming. For instance, replace signs that say, “No standing” with ones that say, “Keep walking.”
BUILD: WHAT MAKES A STRONG CULTURE
A strong school culture is the foundation for the teacher, student, and family experience with any school. And while there’s no simple formula for what makes a strong school culture, Harvard researchers found 5 shared characteristics:
BELIEVE: EVERY STUDENT HAS POTENTIAL
What’s the key to unlocking a student’s limitless potential? Boosting their confidence. That’s the subject All4Ed’s podcast, Critical Window covered when interviewing Dr. Yvette Jackson, a veteran educator about her book, “The Pedagogy of Confidence.” And she shared some tips on how to do exactly that:
- Help students believe in themselves by identifying their strengths.
- Show students how their learning applies to what’s going on in the world.
- Create a school culture that represents the culture of its students.
EMBED: HIGHER EXPECTATIONS, HIGHER ASPIRATIONS
They say it takes a village. (Ain’t that the truth?) But really, it takes effort from every stakeholder-school leaders, teachers, students, and families alike-to create a culture of college-readiness for students. Here are some tips from educators who’ve mastered this mindset:
- Don’t ask, “Are you going to college?” Instead ask, “Where are you planning to go to college, and what are your plans when you get there?”
- Require 9th graders to take the PSATs and 11th graders to take the SATs. By the time they’re 12th graders, they’ll be primed to take it again on their own.
- Encourage students to apply to at least 6 schools: 2 in state, 4 out of state.
XQ X-tra: Like we said, it takes a village.
An excellent school is grounded in a deep understanding of its students and a vision for what they can achieve. And that starts with a strong school mission and culture.
Originally published at https://xqsuperschool.org on February 9, 2020.
