Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between school culture and
students’ academic achievement in private secondary schools of Jimma Town, Oromia
Regional State. The study was a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative) method. A total
of 238 respondents (164 students and 74 teachers) were included in the study. The student
respondents were selected by simple random sampling technique because of the method used
to get representative of a large population while teachers were selected by census sampling
technique because of their few numbers and because they were needed for the problem under
study. The data were collected through a questionnaire. Data gathered through close ended
and open ended questionnaires were analyzed using suitable statistical tools such as
frequency, mean, standard deviation, and average mean and used by computing the data on
SPSS version 26. The findings of the study revealed that there is a positive and significant
relationship between the school culture and students’ academic achievement. Whereas,
Regression analysis also employed to specify the significant effect of independent variables on
dependent one. Accordingly, the extent of school culture practices analyzed through mean and
standard deviation with average mean score value (M=3.41, SD= 0.416), the correlation
analysis the overall relationship of both variables shows that there is a positive significant
relationship at (R=0.54.*, p<0.05). Using the multiple regression analysis, the School
Culture dimensions of collegiality(B=.015, T=0.267, P=0.95>0.05, Collaboration (B=.022,
T=0.278, P=0.922>0.05) both variables are not significantly affected the dependent variable.
, Motivation (B= 0.246, T=-3.03, P=0.009<0.05 and Sense of Responsibility (B=.671,
T=7.34, P=0.00<0.05 were identified as significant predictors of students’ academic
achievement. Hence, it was concluded that the overall students’ academic achievement was
affected due to school culture in the private secondary schools under study. Thus, based on
the findings and conclusion, this study recommended that offers a significant contribution to
the school culture plays its role as substance to realize students’ academic achievement.
Therefore, the researchers must investigate the school culture practices, the relationship
between the school culture and students’ academic achievement, and the significant effects of
school culture on students’ academic achievement. Educational leadership and all key
stakeholders should be encouraging the positive school culture to improve the students’
academicachievement.
