School Climate

Get insights into improving school culture and the experiences of students and staff
A collage-style illustration made of multicolored pieces of watercolor-textured paper. The vignettes in the collage include a rabbit poking its head out of a backpack, a chick cracking out of an egg, a fly pictured on a tombstone, a stapler with a curly phone cord attached to the end of it, a pickle jar with dirt and sand in it, a storm cloud with a strike of lightning and a pair of pants flying away.
Illustration by Emily Wright for Education Week + Getty
Teaching Profession What Were the Funniest Stories of the School Year? We Asked Educators
In what other job do you hear about lost boogers and polio shirts, and hold a memorial for Gerald the fly?
Arianna Prothero, July 17, 2026
2 min read
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi (2) and France's Kylian Mbappe (10) hug after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, on July 9, 2026.
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, in the red jersey, embraces France's Kylian Mbappe after the World Cup quarterfinal between France and Morocco on July 9, 2026. Mental health experts see creative options for engaging students through the competition.
Steven Senne/AP
Teaching Q&A How the World Cup Can Build Students' Sense of Belonging
A pair of healthcare researchers say simple activities tied to the mega-competition can support mental health.
Jennifer Vilcarino, July 14, 2026
8 min read
Students use phones and other electronic devices in school on May 8, 2026. The school cellphone ban is one of the few policy agreements between Republicans and Democrats, and principals and teachers are big supporters.
Students use phones in school on May 8, 2026. The school cell phone ban is one of the few policy agreements between Republicans and Democrats, and principals and teachers are big supporters.
Lincoln Beddoe/Dreamstime via TNS
Student Well-Being & Movement ‘It Turns the School Community Around’: Teachers Reflect on Phone-Free Campuses
Teachers in states with cellphone bans say implementation means more than policy.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 13, 2026
4 min read
High school students wearing black graduation gaps and gowns line up on a football field as they prepare to receive their diplomas at an outdoor high school graduation ceremony.
La Porte High School graduates wait in line to receive their diplomas during commencement exercises on June 12, 2025 in La Porte, Ind. Now, a small but growing number of high schools have adopted AI platforms to pronounce students' names at graduation ceremonies.
Amanda Haverstick/La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP
Families & the Community A New Use for AI: Pronouncing Students' Names at Graduation
High schools adopt AI platforms to pronounce students' names at graduation ceremonies, sparking pushback.
Evie Blad, May 15, 2026
5 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement Spotlight Spotlight on the Athletic Advantage: How Districts Are Turning School Sports Into Community Assets
Find out how you can improve student engagement, belonging, and mental health through inclusive sports programs, esports, and gaming.
April 30, 2026
A golden strongman at the center of a toxic "manosphere" including red pills, weights, hammers, podcast microphone and a misogyny symbol.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty + Canva
Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion A School Leader's Guide for Countering the Manosphere
Researcher Marc Brackett shares strategies to counter radicalization before it takes root.
Marc Brackett, April 29, 2026
6 min read
Sonia Ruiz, the 2026 Middle School Principal of the Year.
Sonia Ruiz, the 2026 Middle School Principal of the Year, celebrates with colleagues on Apr. 17, 2026, in Washington.
NASSP
School & District Management ‘We’ve Got to Do It With Love’: How This Principal of the Year Fosters Belonging
Sonia Ruiz has been named the 2026 Middle School Principal of the Year.
Olina Banerji, April 24, 2026
4 min read
William Toungette, the assistant principal at Woodland Middle School, at the National Education Leadership Awards gala on April 17, 2026, in Washington.
William Toungette, the assistant principal at Woodland Middle School in Brentwood, Tenn., at the National Education Leadership Awards gala on April 17, 2026, in Washington.
NASSP
School & District Management Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year Is Tackling Student Anxiety
How William Toungette created a supportive school environment.
Jennifer Vilcarino, April 21, 2026
4 min read
Amanda Jamerson.
Amanda Jamerson, the associate principal at Wisconsin's Shorewood High School, at the National Education Leadership Awards gala on April 17, 2026, in Washington.
NASSP
School & District Management High School Assistant Principal of the Year Focuses on Equity, Student Behavior
Amanda Jamerson focused on addressing student discipline.
Jennifer Vilcarino, April 21, 2026
5 min read
Plumes of smoke from two simultaneous strikes rise over Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 2, 2026.
<br/>Plumes of smoke from two simultaneous strikes rise over Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 2, 2026.
Mohsen Ganji/AP
School & District Management 'Tiptoe and Be Delicate’: How Educators Are Cautiously Broaching the Iran War
Despite the volatility of the topic, classroom discussions of the conflict in Iran have been relatively muted.
Jennifer Vilcarino, April 16, 2026
6 min read
Student feedback. Teens holding empty colorful speech bubbles.
Getty via Canva
School & District Management How 4 Principals Use Student Voice to Improve School Culture
Principals share how to ensure students are true partners in shaping their schools.
Lauraine Langreo, April 14, 2026
5 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion An Iranian American Educator Speaks From a Broken Heart
The Iranian children will carry their fear, confusion, and loss of safety forever.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 10, 2026
4 min read
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A principal reads to an excited group of children, building community
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion 'When Are You Coming to Read to Our Class?': How a Principal Makes Time for Joy
When this elementary school leader began scheduling read-alouds, he noticed an immediate change.
Ian Knox, March 24, 2026
4 min read