Climate & Culture

Ensuring safe, positive, equitable learning spaces for all students to belong, build relationships, and engage in academic and social-emotional learning.

Our team partners with schools to foster safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where every student feels a sense of belonging. We provide ongoing training, coaching, and resources that strengthen relationships and promote a culture of care, equity, and restoration.

We support schools across the District through a wide range of programs and practices, including:

  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) tools and strategies for all schools
  • Planning and best practices to support positive school climate
  • Culturally Responsive Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (CR-PBIS)
  • Relationships First (RF) programming
  • Schoolwide Social and Emotional Learning initiatives
  • School-based youth courts
  • Prosocial recess for elementary and middle grades
  • Mindfulness and stress-management resources
  • Restorative Progressive Discipline training and the Guide to Student Discipline
  • Guidance on implementing effective climate practices and procedures

Culturally Responsive Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (CR-PBIS)

Culturally Responsive PBIS (CR-PBIS) is a proactive, evidence-based framework that supports positive school climate through clear behavioral norms, inclusive practices, and a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning. It centers student, family, staff, and community voice to create positive, safe, equitable environments where everyone can thrive.

CR-PBIS focuses on Tier 1 support—the foundation for all students—by using data to drive decisions, reduce disparities, and improve both academic and behavioral outcomes.

Core Principles of Tier 1 CR-PBIS:

  • Teach social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) skills to all students
  • Intervene early to prevent the escalation of unwanted behaviors
  • Use research-based, validated strategies
  • Monitor student progress consistently
  • Make decisions grounded in real-time data

The School District of Philadelphia is recognized as a national leader in Culturally Responsive PBIS. Over 150 schools have adopted CR-PBIS as their Tier 1 climate approach. Our team supports implementation with professional development, coaching, modeling, and tailored resources to promote social emotional competence, academic success and school climate.

➜ View our one-pager for more information on how we support schools with Tier 1 CR-PBIS. (Coming Soon)

Parent & Family Resources

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is an evidence-based process for ensuring that all students receive the academic and behavioral supports they need. Our office supports MTSS district-wide by:

  • Supporting schools in implementing strong supports for students’ behavior and social-emotional development at Tier 1 of the MTSS process
  • Providing training and resources to help schools use school climate and disciplinary data effectively to drive continuous improvement

Relationships First

Relationships First is a schoolwide restorative justice-practices program. Relationships First combines a human-centered philosophy with a set of practices that align with the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework.

The Relationships First implementation and resource guide is available HERE.

For Students and Families

Students
A school community using the Relationships First model breathes restoration and uplifts individuals through empathy and healing. RF schools have a vibe of intentional peace-making. Students use their agency to transform their schools for positive outcomes.

Caregivers
The RF tools used within schools, like Restorative Conversations, apply to how we think about interactions outside school as well. A core principle of RF asks practitioners to speak and listen from the heart, meaning to be open and authentic. One of the ways that is demonstrated is by fully sharing the RF model with the community with district-level contacts and sharing resources. Caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in the school culture and climate by doing heart work at home.

Contact

View Relationships First Team Contact Information

Recess

Pro-social recess at SDP centers equity through providing all students with access to a safe, welcoming, joyful environment that focuses on social belonging and removes barriers to play, particularly for our most marginalized students.

Research demonstrates that, with appropriate structure and support, recess can be a fun, positive time when students can build relationships and develop social-emotional skills, with positive impacts on school climate, social and emotional learning, and academic achievement. However, research also shows that students attending lower-resourced schools receive fewer total minutes of recess per week than students attending more advantaged schools. And, research shows that students in urban environments are less likely to have high-quality recess experiences, characterized by safe play spaces and the supervision of engaged, well-prepared adults.

The Office of School Climate and Culture aims to ensure all K-8 school students and staff experience high quality recess through training, modeling, and strategic planning.

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)

The District recognizes that SEL is essential for students’ well-being, academic success, and overall life success. Our team provides a wide variety of resources and tools to help schools develop and nurture the social and emotional competencies of staff and students. All tools and resources are available to schools for free and require little to no PD to implement.

The School District of Philadelphia has adopted CASEL’s 5 social and emotional learning competencies. Check out this video to learn more.

“There is no significant learning without a significant relationship.” Dr. James Comer

SEL in School (School Leaders & Staff)

We recognize the key importance that schools play in supporting young people’s social and emotional development that goes beyond teaching a set of skills to embedding SEL into every aspect of daily school life. A systemic, school-wide approach to SEL improves the school environment, which results in better social and academic outcomes for students.

  • School-wide SEL

School-wide Social and Emotional Learning (SW SEL) is one of three Tier I framework approaches that schools can opt into during the annual school planning process. This approach guides schools through a process to ensure that SEL is strategically and representatively embedded throughout the school community.

For implementing schools, please visit the OSCC HUB for resources.

  • SELebration Days

SELebration Days are important opportunities to increase student attendance, community connections, and SEL Skill-building by providing hands-on, experiential activities designed to deepen relationships for students in school.

For school staff, please visit the OSCC Hub for resources to implement.

  • Classroom Strategies:

There are many ways we can provide students with explicit and integrated opportunities to build their SEL competencies within the classroom. The following are districtwide practices that teachers can utilize to strengthen relationships and students’ self-regulation and decision-making skills.

  • Community Meeting
  • Calm Down Spaces
  • Brain Breaks
  • Academic Integration

For school staff, please visit the OSCC Hub for resources to implement.

SEL in School (Parents and Caregivers)

Families are children’s first teachers and essential to promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) throughout a child’s life. When educators and families work together, they can build strong connections with each other that reinforce social and emotional skills developed in the home, in schools, and in their communities.

SEL for our Partners (Out of School-Time; Vendors; Community Members)

We recognize the importance of partner programming and services in the School District of Philadelphia.Our partners’ programming provides critical opportunities for our students to engage in enriching and meaningful experiences where students get to explore key aspects of their identities, interests, values, and talents. While some enrichment programs may have goals specifically focused on developing SEL skills, all enrichment programs are in a position to reinforce these skills. We believe that the key to a supportive environment for all students is true partnership between schools and providers so that partner programs and services can operate as an aligned extension of our students’ learning environment.

Resources

Student Well-Being Survey (SWBS)

The Student Well-being Survey (SWBS) is a 5-minute survey we ask each student (in grades 3-12) to complete, three times a year. The survey asks the students how they feel about their experiences and relationships at school. The answers they provide give us insight on the question “and how are the children (Kasserian Ingera)?”

Data from the SWBS is a powerful tool for schools and networks to leverage in their efforts to create supportive environments for students and adults alike.

Current School Year 25-26

District-wide and Learning Network Key Findings

  • Window 1
  • Window 2
  • Window 3

Key Findings by School

Schools with over 70% Participation

  • Window 1
  • Window 2
  • Window 3

School Year 24-25

District-Wide Key Findings

Key Findings by Learning Network

Key Findings by School

Schools with over 70% Participation

School Year 23-24

District-Wide Key Findings

Key Findings by Learning Network

Key Findings by School

School Year 22-23

District-Wide Relationship Scores

  • Positive Adult Relationships – 80.5%
  • Positive Peer Relationships – 80.8%
  • Positive Self-Development – 69.4%

Key Findings by School

School Name Learning Network Window 1 - Snapshot Link Window 2 - Snapshot Link Window 3 - Snapshot Link Window 4 - Snapshot Link
Forrest Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
McClure Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Swenson Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Bethune Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Washington, Grover Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Taylor Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Wagner Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Gideon Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
McKinley Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
AMY at Martin Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Peirce Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Wright Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Cayuga Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Day Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Cramp Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Fels Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Parkway W. Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Kelley Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Randolph Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Edison Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Duckrey Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Elkin Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Blaine Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Key Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Southwark Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Dobbins Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Jackson Coppin Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Arthur Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Childs Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Kirkbride Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Overbrook High Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Sharswood Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Stanton Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Jenks, A.S Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Dick, William Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Kenderton Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Furness Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Bartram Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Morton Learning Network 11 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Comegys Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Patterson Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
West Philadelphia Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Sayre Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Catharine Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Penrose Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Harrington Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Fell Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Tilden Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Longstreth Learning Network 10 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Bache-Martin Learning Network 12 View Report View Report View Report View Report
South Philadelphia Learning Network 13 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Hancock Demonstration Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Loesche Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Comly Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Spruance Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Moore Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Greenberg Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Farrell Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Frank, Anne Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Fitzpatrick Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Brown, Joseph Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Rhawnhurst Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Holme Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Solis-Cohen Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Pollock Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Fox Chase Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Mayfair Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Decatur Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Crossan Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Baldi Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
FSAS Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Ziegler Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Prince Hall Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Olney Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Rowen Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Lowell Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Propel Academy Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Castor Gardens Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Morrison Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Allen, Ethan Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Bridesburg Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Lawton Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Disston Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Stearne Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Franklin K8 Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Feltonville Int Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Lingelbach Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Harding Learning Network 8 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Cook-Wissahickon Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
AMY at Northwest Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Pennypacker Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Finletter Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Shawmont Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Dobson Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Carnell Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Kelly Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Ellwood Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Howe Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Logan Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Emlen Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Houston Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Pennell Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Fitler Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Edmonds Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Mifflin Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Conwell Learning Network 9 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Jenks, J.S. Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
McCloskey Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Marshall, Thurgood Learning Network 7 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Henry Learning Network 6 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Hopkinson Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Washington, George Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Juniata Park Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Kensington H.S. Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Lincoln Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Frankford Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Olney High Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Kensington CAPA Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Kearny Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Welsh Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Willard Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Webster Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Roxborough Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Munoz-Marin Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Kensington Health Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Sheppard Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
MLK Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Casarez Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Spring Garden Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Stetson Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Lamberton Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Ludlow Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Parkway N.W. Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Meade Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Moffet Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Mastbaum Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Brown, Henry Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
De Burgos Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Adaire Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Hunter Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Richmond Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Overbrook EC Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Dunbar Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Hackett Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Hartranft Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Franklin HS Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Strawberry Mansion Learning Network 4 View Report View Report View Report View Report
McCall Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Meredith Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Gompers Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Cassidy Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Greenfield Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Bregy Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Morris Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Overbrook Elem Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Girard Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Waring Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Vare-Washington Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Taggart Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Nebinger Learning Network 3 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Powel Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Penn Alexander Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Hamilton Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Locke Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Lea Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Washington, Martha Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Barry Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Mitchell Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
MYA Learning Network 2 View Report View Report View Report View Report
McMichael Learning Network 5 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Sullivan Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
The Workshop Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
PVA Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Lankenau Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Roosevelt Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Northeast Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
U School Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Clemente Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Rush Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Steel Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Girls Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Cooke Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Central Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Hill-Freedman Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Saul Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
LINC Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Marshall, John Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Widener Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Vaux High Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Penn Treaty Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Allen, Ethel Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Constitution Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
SLA at Beeber Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Rhodes Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
SLA Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Parkway C.C. Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Building 21 Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
McDaniel Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Heston Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Potter-Thomas Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Carver Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
PMA Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Bodine Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
HS of Future Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Robeson Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Bryant Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Motivation Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
GAMP Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Rhoads Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Masterman Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
CAPA Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Anderson Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
SLAMS Innovation Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
Blankenburg Acceleration Network View Report View Report View Report View Report
FLC Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
Palumbo Learning Network 1 View Report View Report View Report View Report
PLAN Opportunity Network View Report View Report
Crossroads Accel Opportunity Network View Report View Report
Pennypack Opportunity Network View Report View Report
PLAS Opportunity Network View Report View Report
PJJSCS Opportunity Network View Report View Report
Crossroads @HP Opportunity Network View Report View Report

SWBS Equity Indicators

  • Removing Barriers and Increasing Access & Inclusion
    25.2% of students reported they were treated unfairly because of something about who they are
  • Building Trusting Relationships
    81.7% of students agree or strongly agree that adults from their school try to get to know them
  • Creating a Shared Culture of Social Responsibility 
    63.8% of students agree or strongly agree that students at their school understand who they are

2025-2026 Survey Administration Dates

  • Window 1: 10/14/25 -10/27/25
  • Window 2: 1/30/26 – 2/12/26
  • Window 3: 5/1/26 – 6/12/26
    Will be combined with Philly School Experience Survey (PSES)

Contact
Phone: 215-400-4870

School-Based Youth Court

Youth court is a student-run restorative justice program that gives students who have a poor choice an opportunity to improve their behavior without punitive or exclusionary measures like suspension. Youth Court is run by a group of students that will find a way to help other students become responsible for their behavior and make better choices in the future. The goal of youth court is to help students take responsibility and teach strategies for students to become more successful.

Nineteen schools currently implement schoo-based youth courts. We support them with training and coaching.

Resources

Contact

John Papiano
jpapiano@philasd.org
215-400-4870

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