Attributes of High Performing Schools

Spokane Public Schools believes successful schools are created by fostering academic behaviors, creating an environment of learning, providing academic press, and promoting a culture of success. When these four attributes occur, schools are positioned to provide a whole child focus that addresses basic needs, social emotional learning, and academic growth.

Each year, schools develop an improvement plan that outlines goals and specific strategies that align with the four attributes of a successful school. Each attribute includes specific areas for schools to address so they can continue to improve.

• Fostering academic behaviors involves helping students build learning strategies, self-efficacy, self-management, and self-awareness. This is accomplished through specific strategies for:
  • Post-secondary classroom skills
  • Personal success skills and supports
  • Professional student skills and attributes
    
    
• Creating an environment of learning involves helping students build social awareness, social management, and social engagement. This is accomplished through specific strategies for:
  • Positive school culture and climate
  • Cultural competency
  • Safe and productive classrooms
    
    
• Providing academic press involves challenging school-wide and individual classroom experiences. This is accomplished through specific strategies for:
  • Rigorous curriculum
  • Interventions and supports
  • Classroom instruction
  • Establishing high expectations
    
    
• Promoting a culture of success involves the aspirations and readiness of students for college and career experiences. This is accomplished through specific strategies for:
  • Post-secondary encouragement
  • Career awareness and planning
  • Successful transitions
  • Preparation and commitment