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School Culture

School culture is not a means to an end, but an end in itself. Big Picture 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 Schools is the ease in which students interact with adults. There is a culture of respect and equality between students and adults, as well as among students and among all of the adults in the school. Students are encouraged to take leadership roles in the school and student voice is valued in decision making processes. For the adults in Big Picture Schools, teamwork is a defining aspect of the culture. Principals create regular opportunities for professional development and life-long learning. Staff members also reflect regularly and share ideas through a weekly, internal publication called TGIF. Additionally, staff members meet regularly in a variety of configurations (whole staff, grade level, buddies, etc.).

Essential Elements of School Culture Include:

• Intense focus on school culture (an end in itself)
• Students are comfortable talking with adults about academic and personal issues
• Weekly written reflection by and for staff members (TGIF)
• Rituals (e.g. new student orientation; International Night; alumni reunions; etc.)
• Pick Me Ups (formal time to start each day as a community)
• Professional development/Life-long learning
• Inter-grade & across-grade student groupings
• Democratic governance
• Student leadership
• Respect and caring
• Diversity recognized and celebrated
• Clear policies
• Empahsis on reflection
• High attendance rate
• High graduation rate
• High college acceptance rate
• Low dropout rate
• Fun