Attending school regularly is important to a child’s mental health and development. It also helps them develop good social skills.
In most countries, education is compulsory between the ages of five and eighteen. Students can attend elementary school, middle or high school, college or a vocational school. Some schools have specific curricula and disciplinary policies.
Education
Schools provide students with a safe, structured environment that fosters academic, social, emotional, and physical development. Teachers educate students through classroom instruction and hands-on experiences, while principals oversee the school’s operations and staff members provide support services. Guidance counselors and front office staff assist students with questions and concerns that may arise throughout their school career.
Schools also teach children about different cultures and encourage them to be accepting of diversity. This is especially important as the world becomes increasingly crowded and interconnected.
In addition to the classroom, students are exposed to many aspects of their culture through extracurricular activities such as sports and art programs. This helps them develop a well-rounded education that can prepare them for the future. Students can then use these skills in their professional careers, personal lives, and community service endeavors. According to functionalist theory, schools have two kinds of manifest functions: the intended and visible ones, and latent or hidden ones.
Community
A school that is a true community builds relationships that nurture students, teachers and local members of the community. It also allows for networking opportunities that may lead to professional futures.
Schools that embrace community are better able to meet the needs of their students, address the broader social issues in their neighborhoods and respond to local economic challenges. Moreover, a community school approach to family engagement can cultivate leadership and relationships that foster greater civic involvement among parents and caregivers, who may become stronger advocates for their children’s education or take action on other educational or social issues.
Increasingly, schools are working to bridge this gap and build community connections. They do this by providing a wide range of services and incorporating community input in the learning experience. Some schools partner with a variety of health, social service, and educational agencies to offer a comprehensive set of support services for their communities. This is often called “wraparound services.” The most successful schools integrate these services into their core academic programs.
Socialization
Students spend a significant portion of their time in school, and it is here that they learn a variety of social skills. These include communication, listening, collaboration and empathy. Students who have a strong socialization process will have an easier time building relationships and thriving in their professional life.
Learning how to function as part of a group is an essential skill that helps in a student’s success at work and at home. In addition, working in groups promotes leadership and communication. Interacting with peers from diverse backgrounds enhances cultural awareness, which fosters tolerance and inclusivity.
Many schools use their curriculum as a vehicle for socialization, informing students of their roles and responsibilities within society. However, Raby (2005) notes that top-down rule making assumes passive citizenship and often results in teachers engaging in “petty policing” of students. In such a situation, students are less likely to comply with the rules because they feel powerless and unheard.
Character Development
When it comes to character development, schools are uniquely positioned to play a role because they can shape the overall personality of a student. Educators should recognize the importance of character development in their students and create a culture that supports it.
This includes establishing a character-based curriculum that fosters perseverance and resilience. It is also a good idea to incorporate growth-oriented literature into classroom assignments. This can be done by reading books that cover a wide range of subjects.
In addition, educators can support character development through schoolwide programs, activities and curricula that emphasize service learning, moral reasoning and virtue education. There are a number of models and theories for character building that include effective practices identified in studies, reviews and meta-studies of what works in school culture, climate and ethos to promote character development (Berkowitz, Citation2019). These include: