Positive School Culture
A Community Where Every Student Belongs
Horizon Science Academy Twin Cities is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming learning environment for every student. Our positive school culture supports academic achievement by helping students develop responsibility, confidence, healthy relationships, and a strong sense of belonging.
Our schoolwide approach incorporates Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and principles from Love and Logic. These practices help staff establish clear expectations, recognize positive choices, respond to concerns respectfully, and provide additional support when students need it.
Clear and Consistent Expectations
Students learn what it means to be respectful, responsible, safe, and ready to learn. Teachers and staff explicitly teach, model, practice, and reinforce these expectations in classrooms and throughout the school.
Common expectations apply in:
- Classrooms
- Hallways and shared spaces
- Cafeteria and playground areas
- Restrooms
- Buses and arrival areas
- Assemblies, field trips, and school events
- Consistent routines help students understand what to expect and allow them to focus on learning.
- Positive Recognition
HSATC recognizes students who demonstrate academic growth, improved attendance, positive behavior, leadership, kindness, responsibility, and active participation.
Recognition may include:
- Specific positive feedback
- Certificates and schoolwide acknowledgment
- Character Strong assemblies
- Wolf of the Month and Student of the Month
- Classroom and grade-level celebrations
- PBIS Store incentives
- Educational prizes and gift cards, when available and permitted by school policy
Recognition focuses on student growth and the positive choices that contribute to a strong school community.
Restorative Practices
When a conflict or concern occurs, staff help students reflect on what happened, understand its impact, take responsibility, and identify how to repair harm.
Restorative conversations and classroom circles provide students with structured opportunities to listen, communicate, solve problems, and rebuild relationships. These practices support accountability while protecting each student’s dignity and connection to the school community.
Social and Emotional Learning
Students practice skills that support success in school and life, including:
- Recognizing and managing emotions
- Communicating respectfully
- Resolving disagreements
- Making responsible decisions
- Seeking help when needed
- Understanding different perspectives
- Developing healthy relationships
Teachers may use morning meetings, classroom circles, reflection activities, and age-appropriate regulation strategies to integrate these skills into the school day.
Student Voice and Leadership
Students help strengthen school culture by sharing their perspectives, contributing to classroom agreements, participating in leadership opportunities, and providing feedback about safety and belonging.
HSATC encourages students to take an active role in creating a school community where everyone feels valued and included.
Family Partnership
Families are important partners in supporting student success. HSATC encourages families to communicate with teachers, participate in student-support planning, attend Parent Academy and School Board meetings, and share questions, concerns, and recommendations. Translation and interpretation assistance are provided whenever possible to ensure that all families can participate meaningfully.
Support at Every Level
When a student experiences repeated academic, behavioral, social, or emotional challenges, staff examine the student’s individual needs and provide appropriate support. This may include reteaching expectations, additional check-ins, intervention services, family collaboration, individualized strategies, or referral to the school’s student-support team.
HSATC continually reviews student, family, and staff feedback, along with attendance, behavior, and school-climate information, to strengthen practices and respond to emerging needs.
Together, students, families, staff, and community partners help create a positive school culture in which every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.