Developing a sense of community in secondary schools. National Association of Secondary School Principals

Educators who develop a sense of community in schools can reap the benefits that this provides. For a sense of community to be developed in secondary schools, administrators and teachers need to develop a definition unique to their own school, know the characteristics of effective communities, and communicate a sound rationale to poten-tial community members. econdary administrators and teachers have long understood the advan-tages of positive relationships between educators and students. Trust, respect, mutual obligation, and concern for others ’ welfare can have powerful effects on educators ’ and learners ’ interpersonal relationships as well as learners ’ academic achievement and overall school progress. Educators at Roosevelt Roads (Naval Station) High School in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, decided to work toward a sense of community by implementing sever-al practices commonly used in middle level schools. Defining a Sense of Communit