School Culture
School culture is not a means to an end, but an end in itself. Big Picture Learning schools are small, personalized communities of learning, where students are encouraged to be leaders and where school leaders are encouraged to be visionaries. Our schools strive to create a respectful, diverse, creative, exciting, and reflective culture.
One of the things that is striking about Big Picture Learning schools is the ease with which students interact with adults. A culture of respect and equality exists between students and adults, among students, and among adults. Students are encouraged to take a leadership role in the school and student voice is valued in decision making processes.
For staff members, teamwork is a defining aspect of the culture. Principals create regular opportunities for professional development and life-long learning for their staffs. Staff members also reflect regularly and share ideas through verbal and written communication.
Essential Elements of School Culture include:
- Intense focus on school culture
- Students are comfortable talking with adults about academic and personal issues
- Verbal and written reflection shared among staff members
- Rituals (e.g. new student orientation; International Night; alumni reunions; etc.)
- Pick Me Ups (formal time to start each day as a community)
- A focus on professional development/life-long learning for staff members
- Inter-grade & across-grade student groupings
- Democratic governance
- Student leadership
- Respect and caring
- Diversity recognized and celebrated
- Clear policies and expectations for behavior
- Emphasis on reflection
- High attendance rate
- High graduation rate
- High college acceptance rate
- Low dropout rate
- Fun!