School Culture and Climate

CDE is committed to collaboratively addressing school climate with school districts to guide our collective work through the School Climate Transformation Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This grant provides the opportunity to bring districts and CDE’s internal offices together to support the development of an integrated multi-tiered framework that addresses school climate and connectedness, student engagement, behavioral/mental health, and social emotional learning to effectively meet the needs of all students in Colorado.

Positive School Climate: A positive school climate is foundational to the academic promise of the school and refers to the work of a school community to create a quality experience for all students, staff, and families. This is done by collectively fostering social, emotional, physical academic and identity safety and promoting a supportive academic environment that encourages and maintains respectful, empathetic, and trusting, relationships; resulting in a sense of belonging for all. 

Sense of Belonging: The extent to which students, staff, and families feel personally accepted, respected, included, and supported by others in the school social environment.