We set out to connect with education leaders and identify effective solutions to the school climate challenges many districts are facing. Using the ThoughtExchange platform, we engaged 173 education leaders across the country to identify their top challenges and the strategies they’re using to build a positive school climate with community support.

We used our AI-powered Advisor tool to turn their insights into this comprehensive report. Read on to learn from the collective intelligence of educational experts. In this report: Who we spoke to about K-12 school climate Top Challenges Facing School Climate in 2025 Effective strategies to improve school climate Solutions for negative school climates Case highlights from district leaders Fostering collaboration and trust in school climate Climate Surveys That Count. Real-time data—instant impact [H2] Who we spoke to about K-12 school climate We engaged participants in this public engagement at conferences across America, serving in the following district leadership roles: Superintendents (40%), Assistant Superintendents (8%), District Administrators (25%), and Communications leaders (24%). Over half of participants (53%) had been in their role for four years or longer, with 24% having a tenure of more than seven years. When asked about their district’s enrollment, 60% of participants came from smaller districts (<5,000 students) and 40% came from larger districts (>5,000 students). We also asked participants to rate their school district’s school climate on a scale of very negative to very positive—60% rated their overall school climate as positive or very positive, and 40% rated their overall school climate as very negative, negative, or fair. When we compared district enrollment with school climate ratings, we saw a correlation: districts with an enrollment of over 10,000 students were more likely to rate their school climate negatively, with a favorability score of 52%—10 points lower than districts with an enrollment of less than 10,000. [H2] Top Challenges Facing School Climate in 2025 We asked our participants to share qualitative data through an Exchange question in the engagement. We asked, “What ideas or strategies have had the biggest positive impact on your district’s school culture and climate?” From their feedback, Advisor provided us with the three areas our participants identified as having the most impact on school climate, both positively and negatively. Student engagement (95% moderate to high impact) Why it impacts school climate: Influence of School Policies and Practices: Factors like discipline policies, opportunities for student participation, and teachers' classroom management significantly influence the psychosocial climate at school. (source) Impact of Punitive Discipline: Schools with harsh and punitive discipline climates tend to have lower levels of student connectedness. (source) Benefits of a Positive School Environment: A positive school environment, characterized by caring relationships, participation opportunities, and shared positive norms, goals, and values, is linked to lower rates of student drug use and delinquency. Higher participation in extracurricular activities also correlates with increased school connectedness. (source) Instructional climate (91% moderate to high impact) Why it impacts school climate: Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion: When teachers experience high levels of burnout or feel emotionally exhausted, it negatively impacts their relationships with students and the quality of their teaching. (source) Teacher Efficacy: Teachers with low teacher efficacy (negative beliefs about their teaching abilities) tend to use less effective teaching methods, leading to poorer student achievement and increased disruptive behavior. (source) Administrative Support: When teachers and staff feel supported by their administration, they report higher levels of commitment, more collegiality among staff, and increased staff retention. (source) Parental involvement or support (87% moderate to high impact) Why it impacts school climate: Parent Engagement at School: Parents who have positive perceptions of the school climate are more likely to visit the school for events like conferences and open houses. (source) Alignment of Home and School Learning: Increased parental presence and positive perceptions can help align parents' involvement at home with the school's educational goals. (source) Positive Impact on Student Outcomes: Regardless of socioeconomic status or ethnic background, parents' engagement in their children's education predicts better academic adjustment, including motivation, engagement, and grades. (source) [INSET] Irvine USD: Elevating Climate Surveys, Engagement, and K-12 Education with ThoughtExchange Key Takeaways: Higher participation: Over 35,000 participants across 3 surveys, with an average 80% completion rate—significantly higher than previous years. Real-time data: Immediate survey results saved 12 weeks of data analysis time and prevented stale data. Instant action: Quick, transparent action on unique school site feedback led to a positive community response. [Quote] “ThoughtExchange is night and day from our previous survey provider that took months to return our results, and by then the data was no longer useful. ThoughtExchange allows our administrators to focus on actions sooner—rather than having to dig through the data, it’s readily available to them." —Dr. Tammy Blakely, Executive Director, Student Support Services, Irvine Unified School District, California [/INSET] [H2] Effective strategies to improve school climate We then asked Advisor to identify the most effective focus areas for school districts working to improve or maintain a positive school climate. In just a few seconds, Advisor outlined the most highly rated strategies our participants are using in their districts. — Communication to build trust "Transparency and open, frequent communication. Builds trust." Participants believe that transparent and consistent communication builds trust. Open communication is seen as crucial for fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration within the school community. Participants underscored various strategies for effective communication, such as positive social media posts, weekly updates, presentations at board meetings, and open communication channels. They stressed the importance of keeping everyone informed and involved in the district's plans and decisions. [INSET] Larger districts emphasized the need to diversify their communication methods and ensure that communications are tailored to the different communities they serve. [/INSET] Stakeholder engagement for better decision making “Engaging the community and our families in big decisions. It helps them feel they have a voice in the process for changes that impact them.” "Involving students in the conversation. Our leadership meets directly with students regularly, and we provide additional methods for providing real-time feedback.” Stakeholder engagement is highly valued, with participants noting that it leads to better buy-in and a sense of ownership among all parties. Engaging stakeholders in decision-making processes ensures their voices are heard and their needs are considered. There is a strong perception that this collaborative approach yields positive outcomes for both the school district and its community, fostering a more inclusive and supportive educational environment. Participants talked about the importance of involving all stakeholders, including parents, students, and staff. Strategies include asking staff for their input on district decision-making, involving students in conversations, and engaging the community in big decisions. [INSET] Smaller districts emphasized the importance of in-person community events, while larger districts emphasized the importance of student voice in decision-making. [/INSET] Building relationships "Authentic relationships with students and families. Establishing connections.” "Visibility and communication with the Superintendent. In a geographically large district, the visibility and engagement of our superintendent with staff, students, and parents is very impactful.” Participants perceive building relationships very positively. They see it as a foundational element for a supportive school environment where individuals feel valued and heard. Many believe that strong relationships lead to better engagement, learning outcomes, and overall satisfaction. This sense of connection is crucial for fostering a positive school culture. The responses highlight the essential role of relationship-building among students, staff, and the community. Key strategies include supporting and recognizing staff, student connectedness, and the superintendent's visibility and engagement with the community. [INSET] Both smaller and larger districts agreed on the importance of staff support. Smaller districts emphasized personalized learning and empathy interviews, while larger districts emphasized the importance of visible leadership and investing in leadership pathways for staff. [/INSET] Overall, these three categories are interconnected and play a critical role in the school district's overall strategy for improving culture and climate. Effective communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement are seen as vital components for creating a thriving and supportive environment for all involved. [INSET] “ThoughtExchange provides an anonymous way for people to really give us positive direction and share their values. Ultimately, that's what public schools do, right? We operationalize the values of the community. ThoughtExchange is a much better way to get people to communicate their values. I've been doing surveys for 25 years, and this platform is so much more than that.” Eric Conti, Superintendent, Burlington Public Schools [/INSET] [H2] Solutions for negative school climates While the aforementioned three focus areas are important for any school climate, positive or negative, we wanted to dig deeper into the specific areas of concern for our participants with very negative, negative, and fair school climate ratings. We prompted Advisor to identify their top concerns, and provide recommendations to address each concern based on participant feedback. Strategies to Address Negative Impact Areas Based on the participant feedback, here are some effective strategies for districts to address the areas of concern identified in Very Negative Ratings, Negative Ratings, and Fair Ratings: Lack of Support and Appreciation for Staff “Our current climate is at an all-time low with staff feeling unsupported.” "It really lifted my spirits when the administration publicly recognized my achievements last month. It’s nice to know that our hard work does not go unnoticed. This motivates me to continue putting in my best efforts for our students." Strategy: Implement a comprehensive staff recognition program. Actions: Create ongoing opportunities to celebrate staff achievements, such as monthly or quarterly awards, public acknowledgment during meetings, and personalized notes of appreciation from the administration. Expected Outcome: Increased staff morale and motivation, leading to higher engagement and retention. Improving staff experience through support systems "Having access to mental health resources and the professional development workshops has made a huge difference. I feel more supported and appreciated, and it’s been great to know the administration is listening to our feedback." Strategy: Strengthen staff support systems. Actions: Introduce mental health resources, provide professional development opportunities, and establish a peer support network. Regularly seek staff feedback and act on their concerns. Expected Outcome: Improved staff well-being and overall morale, leading to a more positive and productive climate. A different approach to student behavior and discipline "The new positive behavior intervention systems have really changed the atmosphere at our school. Training in conflict resolution and emotional intelligence has equipped us with the tools to handle disputes constructively, reducing negativity." Strategy: Promote a positive and respectful culture with behavior interventions. Actions: Implement positive behavior intervention systems (PBIS), offer training on conflict resolution and emotional intelligence, and establish clear policies against negative behaviors. Expected Outcome: Reduced negativity, enhanced respect and cooperation among stakeholders, leading to a healthier school climate. Building better family engagement through events "The community-building events have been a wonderful addition. Whether it’s a potluck or a cultural celebration, these events give us a chance to strengthen our bonds with students and their families in a relaxed setting." Strategy: Foster meaningful connections through intentional engagement events. Actions: Schedule regular family engagement events, conduct home visits, and facilitate open forums for families and students to voice their concerns and suggestions. Expected Outcome: Stronger relationships and trust between the district, families, and students, resulting in increased collaboration and support. Improving alignment through strategic planning "Having a clear, district-wide strategic plan has made a significant difference. We all know what we’re working towards and how our roles contribute to the bigger picture. Regular updates keep us on track and motivated." Strategy: Develop and communicate a unified strategic plan. Actions: Create a district-wide strategic plan with input from all stakeholders, clearly communicate goals and expectations, and provide regular updates on progress. Ensure that all staff understand their roles in achieving these goals. Expected Outcome: Aligned efforts across the district, leading to more effective implementation of initiatives and a shared sense of purpose. By implementing these strategies, districts can effectively address the concerns raised by participants and work towards improving their school culture and climate. --- [INSET] We did this with 173 educational leaders, but Advisor could have done the same with a group of 10,000 or more. Imagine engaging an entire community—staff, students, and parents—on your attendance policies, and having hundreds or thousands of insights analyzed and distilled into a plan that speaks directly to their concerns and suggestions. In seconds, not weeks. ThoughtExchange enables district leaders to respect their participants’ time and respond to their feedback far faster than traditional surveys and analyses allow. [/INSET] [H2] Case highlights from district leaders We then asked Advisor if there were any responses that were mentioned less frequently than others, but had resonated with participants. This is what it highlighted. Outliers in terms of frequency In analyzing the participants' responses, a few thoughts stood out as outliers due to their unique nature or infrequency compared to other responses. Here are some of those outliers: Collaboration in decision-making “Multiple perspectives to drive decision-making." “Education belongs to the students and families, and we work together with them to create the best learning experiences possible." Participants value allowing multiple perspectives to drive decision-making. Despite its lower frequency, this collaborative approach is deemed highly effective. Highlighting student voice "Our leadership meets directly with students regularly, and we provide additional methods for providing real-time feedback." "Student voice in everything. Students are the heart of what we do." This idea centers on integrating student input into decision-making, seen as crucial by fewer responses but with a strong positive rating. Spreading positive news "Highlighting positive student achievements gives a sense of belonging." "People need to see the good things happening in their schools." The idea of positive news to enhance the perception of the school environment is an unconventional approach compared to other standard strategies. These examples illustrate ideas that, while not mentioned often, receive high ratings for their positive impact on school culture and climate. [H2] Fostering collaboration and trust in school climate We are grateful to the education leaders who shared their perspectives with us. Their comprehensive and insightful responses serve as a powerful testament to their dedication to student success. Every district is unique, and so are the strategies that will work best for the community. Staff, parents, and students themselves are the people to turn to for effective, supported solutions. The best school climate is based on a respectful, collaborative partnership between district administration and the people who make up their schools. Our partners use the ThoughtExchange platform for their school climate surveys. They leverage our responsive, flexible engagement methods to get people’s real perspectives. They use our lightning-fast analytics to understand all angles and develop action plans that speak to their communities. And their communities are seeing their feedback heard and acted on in their schools—building trust and goodwill for the long run. We’re not just a survey—we’re personalized and prioritized engagement that helps build community buy-in and understanding of district decisions.