Upperman High School leaders say a renewed focus on purpose, student involvement, and staff support is helping improve school culture while reducing absenteeism and discipline issues.
School administrators recently reviewed progress with the help of student feedback and internal data, pointing to noticeable changes in morale among both students and teachers. Upperman High School Principal Justin Campbell said the school’s efforts began with re-centering on why educators and students show up each day.
“A lot of what we have talked about here at the school level with students and with teachers is, you know, what is our purpose?” Campbell said.
Campbell said teaching is a purpose-driven profession and that reconnecting staff and students to that mission has been key to rebuilding culture and improving attendance.
“As teachers, we want students to enjoy their time, we want them to learn, and we wanna hold them academically accountable and promote responsibility so that we can prepare them for the real world,” Campbell said.
He said Upperman implemented a program called Renaissance, which focuses on recognizing students and teachers and giving them a stronger voice in shaping school culture.
“When you give back to both parties, and you make things at the school level feel like they have a voice, the students and the teachers, it allows them to enjoy what they’re doing,” Campbell said.
Student leaders shared some of the changes with the School Board earlier this month. Campbell said students have played a major role in improving the school’s atmosphere through activities such as homecoming events and collaborative hallway decorations that emphasize teamwork and encouragement.
“If anybody walks through our halls, you can tell a difference,” Campbell said. “We kinda all support each other.”
According to Campbell, the cultural shift has produced measurable results, including a decrease in chronic absenteeism.
“We’re having a decrease in absenteeism,” Campbell said. “I think it’s four percent at this point of the year compared to last year.”
Campbell said the school has also seen academic gains and a reduction in discipline issues, which he attributes to clearer expectations and stronger relationships between students and staff.
“A lot of that happens with the teachers understanding and the students understanding the expectations set by their administrative staff,” Campbell said.
Upperman has also revamped its Student of the Month program, allowing teachers to nominate students and tailoring recognition to individual interests, while partnering with community organizations for support.
Campbell said the school plans to continue building on the momentum with upcoming events, including basketball homecoming later in January, as administrators and teachers look ahead to the rest of the school year.
