Analysis of Institutional Climate at High perfoming Schools: The case opf St. James Senior High School, Sunyani, Ghana

Abstract

A mixed-method design adopting a non-experimental survey and a basic interpretive study was conducted to analyse the institutional climate of high perfoming schools with the focus on Saint James Senior High School. Data was collected using a clsoed-ended Likert type items from a defined population of all 43 academic staff and six managment members of the school and a semi-structred interview protocol from 10 purposeflly-selected heads and assistant heads of departments. The study revealed that there is a positive school climate showing respondents having a high level of institutional identity , strong collegiality, favourable supervisory styles and a good sense of professionalism. These four elements of the positive climate correlate strongly with instituttional effectiveness at St. James Senior High School. The study further revealed that St. James Senior High School has acheived a climate of success through professional development workshops, team refelctive practices and supportive school leadership.