For aspiring administrators, understanding and shaping a school’s culture is essential to leading change. The online Master of Science (MS) in Educational Administration program at Emporia State University prepares education professionals to analyze organizational dynamics and lead strategically within complex school systems.
When a school struggles to implement new technology, shift classroom strategies, or address inequities in discipline, the barrier often isn’t policy — it’s culture. Values, expectations, and social dynamics can silently influence whether a reform effort gains traction or falls flat. As Kyla Dewar points out in an Achievers article, this is because organizational culture “is created through consistent and authentic behaviors, not press releases or policy documents.”
What Is Organizational Culture?
Organizational culture is the shared set of beliefs, behaviors, and expectations that influence how people interact and make decisions within an institution. It starts from the top down: Leaders set the precedent for how to respond in crises and how to boost team morale.
In schools, culture naturally affects everything from teacher collaboration to student achievement. Unlike other types of organizations, schools serve not only as workplaces but also as centers of community identity and youth development, making their culture more powerful and fragile.
A study published in SAGE Open found that a school’s culture directly impacts its ability to implement reforms. It advocates for school leaders to cultivate cultures that are adaptable, collaborative, and supportive of continuous learning to drive meaningful and lasting improvements in educational settings. When culture does not align with leadership priorities, even the best strategies may fail to take root. This is why having clear guidance toward a positive school culture is crucial to any aspiring educational leader.
Impact on School Social Systems
Efforts to improve student outcomes often focus on measurable interventions. These include curriculum updates, test scores, and budget reallocations. But research has consistently shown that culture and performance are interdependent and that these strategies are only as effective as the culture that supports them.
Organizational culture shapes the broader social system within a school. Formal roles, informal relationships, and unspoken norms govern daily life. A well-functioning social system fosters mutual respect and clarity around expectations, enabling teachers, students, and staff to work toward common goals.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the positives and negatives of this dynamic. Schools with inclusive cultures that encouraged open communication and collaborative decision-making adapted more successfully to remote instruction, according to a study on school organizational culture. The shared experience of the pandemic fostered stronger community connections, with lasting benefits such as accelerated digitalization.
Working Toward School Improvement as an Educational Administrator
When administrators foster a healthy culture with a sense of belonging, it reflects positively on organizational outcomes. Achievers points to several strategies that foster a productive workplace, including scheduling regular 1:1 meetings, recognizing employee achievements frequently, and being transparent and authentic. By incorporating courses such as Cultural Influences & Educational Practices and Consultation and Collaboration into its robust curriculum, Emporia State’s MS in Educational Administration online program helps future leaders understand how cultural values influence social dynamics and policy implementation. The Practicum in Educational Administration: Building Level course engages students through field projects where they can apply what they learn in real-world settings.
This career-defining master’s program encourages students to become thoughtful change agents who understand that successful school improvement is not about controlling outcomes, but about shaping environments that enable people to thrive. As future educational administrators explore cultural frameworks and apply them in the field, they build the confidence and credibility to lead schools that are not only high-performing but also deeply connected to the communities they serve.
Learn more about Emporia State University’s online Master of Science in Educational Administration program.
