Cultivating Community: A Comprehensive Examination of School Climate and Culture at North East Middle School

This capstone research project explored stakeholder perceptions of school climate and culture at North East Middle School during the 2024–2025 academic year. A positive school climate is linked to stronger student engagement, achievement, and social-emotional growth. Using a mixed-methods design, the study collected data through surveys, structured interviews, walkthrough observations, and PBIS implementation results. Three research questions guided the analysis: Stakeholder perceptions of climate and culture, underlying factors contributing to current conditions, and strategies for improvement. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses were coded thematically. Results indicated generally positive perceptions across students, staff, and families, particularly in areas of safety and relationships. However, concerns included inconsistent communication, uneven adult supervision in hallways and lunchrooms, and the need for stronger behavior expectations. PBIS data revealed early signs of progress, particularly through recognition systems and targeted reteaching of expectations. Overall, findings suggest that improving visibility of adults, refining behavior systems, and enhancing stakeholder engagement will help strengthen the overall climate and culture of the school.