High performing schools in high risk environments: a study on leadership, school safety, and student achievement at two urban middle schools in Los Angeles County

UnrestrictedIn America, all students and staff have a constitutional right to attend schools that are safe, secure, and successful. Despite this right, at many public schools, education leaders have failed to ensure the safety and academic achievement of all students. The purpose of this research study is to expand knowledge about the impact of violence on schools, and the leadership strategies that can help improve school safety and student achievement.; This study compares a high performing Benchmark middle school to a Program Improvement middle school. This study specifically examines two research questions: One explores how a middle school that is located in a high risk environment achieves high academic performance; while the other examines the leadership factors that contribute to improve school safety and student achievement.; This study is composed of five chapters that address a background of the problem on school violence; a literature review that identifies pertinent theoretical frameworks; a methodology that specifies related qualitative methods; the findings for three identified themes; and a discussion on the variables that differentiate the Benchmark middle schools from the one in Program Improvement. This study shows that principal leadership is vital in working with teachers, support staff, parents, and other stakeholders to improve school safety and student achievement at middle schools located in high risk environments