By Alexis LeMieux

School culture is the values and guiding beliefs that are evident in which a school does things, and it can shape a student’s perception of the school, and their motivation to learn at the same time.

“It’s about what we believe, how we act, and how our actions affect others,” Mr. Hann, the principal at Bellbrook High School, said. “Those things are all intertwined, and that’s the foundation of our school community.”

Both schools and their culture can be associated with the community.

“If we have things going in the right direction at the high school, that helps the community go in the right direction too,” Mr. Hann said. “If the community is a mess, sometimes that bleeds into the school. So, in a way, they can be connected.”

“The school culture at Bellbrook High School is often a mirror of the values held by the wider community,” Mr. Whalen, one of the vice principals, said. “It reflects the shared beliefs and priorities of the residents, and in turn, it shapes the attitudes and behaviors of students and staff.”

In the long run, it cannot only affect the students of the district, but also the teachers as well. 

Within the community, the schools can be a large factor of job opportunities. If the school culture is excessively negative, down the road it would further lead to nobody wanting to participate within the district, or even the community. “Especially a small town like this, the school is probably the biggest employer in the community,” Mr. Hann said.

“School culture directly influences job satisfaction and effectiveness,” Mr. Whalen said. “A positive culture fosters a supportive and collaborative environment where teachers feel inspired and motivated to deliver high-quality education.”

The positive attitude of school culture in Bellbrook can make someone want to stay in this city, rather than that person getting a job outside of the area.

It is always important to have a good school culture because it can benefit the citizens of Bellbrook.

“If you have a good culture, or a positive one,” Mr. Hann said, “It gives a positive attitude towards our students, our teachers, and our community.”

“A positive school culture promotes personal growth, providing opportunities for academic success and the development of life skills,” Mr. Whalen said.

In addition to this, when a positive attitude is present, students can feel safe at school, while the teachers have opportunities to build positive relationships with their students, possibly the parents, and maybe even their coworkers. 

“It also promotes meaningful relationships,” Mr. Whalen said, “A sense of belonging, positive mental health among students, and it can enhance the overall educational experience. Our staff genuinely care about their students and contribute time and resources beyond academics to provide mentorship and support.”

When students can feel safe at school, they will have a positive feeling towards their school’s culture.

And, of course, that same culture is not only important to teachers, but to the students as well.

“High participation rates in extracurricular activities create a vibrant school community, offering students opportunities to explore their interests and build strong bonds with peers,” Mr. Whalen said. “The culture is strengthened by mutual trust and respect among students and staff, fostering open communication and a cooperative atmosphere.”

“If a student is part of a positive culture, and they add to that culture, that makes them successful in the classroom,” Mr. Hann said. “However, if a negative culture is present, and everyone hates each other, fist fights everywhere, and everyone hates being there, is not a good thing for the culture. And with things like that can make your life much more difficult, and can make it much harder to reach your goals.”