Stronger School Climate. Better Student Success.
The National School Climate Center (NSCC) is a nonprofit research and action organization that helps schools harness the power of lasting change. We provide the tools and training to measure, understand, and improve school climate for everyone.
Work With Our TeamWhat is School Climate?
School climate is the heartbeat of education.
It’s the the feeling in the hallways, the strength of relationships, and the foundation for learning, safety, and belonging. School climate is defined as the quality and character of school life. Positive school climates help students thrive, educators collaborate, and communities grow stronger together.
Our Impact
30+
Years
of research and experience.
2,000+
Schools
partnered with across 38 states.
2.5M+
Voices
heard—students, families, staff.
10,000+
Educators
trained to lead climate transformation.
25 districts/
12 states
policy shifts and counting.
Behind these numbers are unified and resilient schools.
- 60% FEWER FIGHTS – A rural high school improved student relationships in one year.
- DOUBLE-DIGIT DROP IN ABSENTEEISM – An urban district saw attendance improve dramatically.
- 50% LOWER TEACHER TURNOVER – A middle school built trust and collaboration among staff.
Partnering with schools to turn climate into outcomes.
Latest Insights on School Climate
Research, strategies, and perspectives to help schools create safe, supportive learning environments.
School Climate Improvement Solutions for Every Level of Education
Whether you lead a school, support districts, or conduct research, National School Climate Center provides tools and insights to help you improve school climate.
Why Schools Trust NSCC
“The integration of our co-developed Social Inclusion Scale within the CSCI is a groundbreaking advancement that truly captures the essence of fostering belonging and acceptance for all abilities in schools. With 300+ Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools across Illinois poised to benefit from this robust tool, and growing every day, the CSCI stands out as an exceptional alternative for assessing and enhancing school climates.”
“NSCC provides our district with a consistent measure to compare the effect of our efforts as educators over time. Over the past seven years, the School Climate Survey has become an essential voice for our parents, staff, and students to communicate in a structured manner. Our decision-making is better because of our use of this survey.’
“One of the standout features has been the response rate tracker, which allowed us to monitor participation in real time...The survey’s comprehensive nature, coupled with the robust support and actionable insights it provides, makes it an invaluable tool for assessing and improving school climate.”
"The CSCI reports have been highly actionable. Our district has found the insights to be extremely valuable in informing our strategic plan, allowing us to prioritize initiatives and allocate resources more effectively."
"Yukon High School's advisory program has been a transformative initiative rooted in the insights gathered from then Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI)... As a result, students feel more engaged and supported, leading to improved overall well-being and academic performance . We are proud of the collaborative effort that brought this vision to life!”
“The first time LFHS used the CSCI was in 2008. NSCC has continued to improve their product and modernize their dimensions and reports.”
Turn School Climate Data Into Clear, Actionable Next Steps
Download the NSCC School Climate Data Analysis & Action Planning Checklist to help your team organize survey results, identify key patterns, and build a focused, equitable action plan.
