What Is School Climate and Culture?
How a student feels in school has a profound impact on their ability to learn. School climate and school culture are terms used to describe the overall experience a student has in a school setting, and how that environment supports or hinders them.
- School climate refers to the tone, atmosphere, and emotional environment of a school. It’s shaped by how people interact, the sense of safety and support, the physical environment, and how clear and consistent expectations are.
- School culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and norms that guide how people in the school community behave, make decisions, and work together. It influences everything from leadership decisions to classroom practices.
Why It Matters to Measure Both
When students feel safe, seen, and supported, they’re more likely to engage in learning and show up for school. But climate and culture are multi-dimensional, and improving them starts with understanding them clearly.
That’s why reliable data is essential.
The Kelvin Framework: A Comprehensive Approach
The Kelvin School Climate and Culture Framework offers a clear, inclusive model for measuring the many elements that shape a student’s school experience. It’s designed to help educators and leaders assess what’s working and where improvement is needed.
The Framework Includes Six Domains:
- Relationship to Self
- Relationship to Others
- Community and Voice
- Culture, Diversity, and Identity
- Out-of-School Environment
- Mental Health and Wellness
Each domain contains several dimensions, specific constructs such as emotional regulation, connectedness, or nutrition. These help you get more precise about what’s being measured and how to take action.
Two Ways to Measure School Climate and Culture
Kelvin offers two survey options, both designed to deliver useful, actionable data:
Kelvin Certified Screeners
- Ready-to-use screeners created by Kelvin’s education team
- Contain only research-validated questions
- Drawn from a bank of over 1,100 research-validated items
- Learn how to use Kelvin Certified Screeners
Kelvin Custom Pulses
- Short, flexible surveys designed by your school or district
- Can include both research-validated and locally created questions
- Tailored to specific goals, such as school initiatives or community concerns
Used together, Certified Screeners and Custom Pulses give you a rich, nuanced view of your school’s climate and culture.
From Insight to Action
Once your survey window closes, the Kelvin platform delivers real-time data and clear insights on every domain and dimension you choose to measure.
This allows you to:
- Identify areas of strength and concern
- Track trends across schools, grade levels, or time
- Make informed decisions about where and how to improve
- Share accessible reports with stakeholders
The result? A more supportive, inclusive, and effective learning environment built on data, not guesswork.
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Kelvin Customers: [email protected]
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