Set High Expectations

Leaders of successful schools invest heavily in creating a school culture of high expectations and accountability, and a school climate that supports learning and achievement. An expanded school schedule can help teachers and administrators establish and maintain this strong school culture. With more time, for instance, schools can introduce activities and routines intended to reinforce school values and offer programs that teach behaviors and attitudes necessary for success such as hard work, perseverance and responsibility. For example, schools can offer orientation sessions that establish expectations for student behavior and effort, advisory programs that teach core school values, and community or town hall meetings that showcase and reward individual and collective student achievements and improvements.

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Promising Practice 4

In this chapter of Time Well Spent, read about how successful, expanded-time schools use time to build a school culture of high expectations and mutual accountability.
KIPP SHINE Prep, Houston, TX

Educators know that expectations need to be communicated clearly and reinforced daily. Read about how KIPP SHINE Prep schedules time in their expanded day to recognize student achievement, and reinforce expectations in each classroom.
Excel Academy Charter School, Boston, MA

Creating a culture of achievement is crucial to the success of expanded time schools. Read about how Excel Academy schedules time each week to build that culture and the systems that foster a love of learning.
IDEA College Preparatory Donna, Donna, TX

A number of expanded time schools dedicate time before each school year to communicate and set expectations so that incoming students are familiar with the school’s culture from day one. Read about how IDEA College Prep Donna uses their summer orientation to establish high academic expectations.