Organizational Culture in a Good High School

Abstract

Observations and interviews were conducted in a high school, selected because of high student achievement scores, controlled for socioeconomic status, and a reputation for excellence. An organizational culture that cut across school groups including students, was found. It was grounded in academics and school spirit. A set of reinforcing elements was proposed as the reason for the culture. It included: administrators, teachers, parents, and a school board committed to academic study; a community whose main employer was a medical centre and which was perceived to be education‐oriented; many students who associated academic success with material success and popularity; and a school superintendent who acted as a catalyst. If students are to be part of a school′s organizational culture, reinforcing elements equivalent to those found are probably crucial. They counteract the oppositional student and adult subcultures that are so common in schools.

Citation

Mitchell, J.T. and Willower, D.J. (1992), "Organizational Culture in a Good High School", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 30 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/09578239210008781