Student Success: Creating a Culture of Accountability

At Lutheran High School, we believe that accountability is more than just following rules—it's about showing up for others, acting with integrity, and being open to feedback. It's grounded in love, integrity, and discipleship. Accountability means committing to responsible behavior, and it's a key part of building strong relationships within our school community.

What Accountability Is (and Isn’t)

Accountability is:

• Grounded in love and integrity: It’s about building quality habits of responsible behavior.
• A commitment: Being there for others, acting with honesty, and being open to learning and coaching.
• Relationship-focused: Emphasizing the importance of relationships and community.

Accountability isn’t:

• Just Following Rules: It’s not about strictly adhering to rules or beating yourself up when you fail.
• Deficit-Based: It’s not about focusing on what you lack but rather on how you can grow and improve.

Why Accountability Matters

• It builds resilience
• It teaches students to honor commitments
• It prepares them for adulthood
• It creates a positive, respectful learning environment
• It encourages academic integrity

How We Foster Accountability

At Lutheran High, nurturing academic excellence is part of our mission. That includes a strong focus on accountability. Here’s how we do it:

1) Clear Expectations and Communication

From the first day, we clearly communicate what students can expect and what is expected of them. We also share these expectations with parents to make sure everyone is aligned. students and parents to ensure everyone is aligned.

We provide a blueprint for academic success so students are clear on how they can achieve their academic goals.

2) Relationship-Oriented Environment

We are highly relational in and out of the classroom. Teachers aim to remind every student that they bring value to the classroom and encourage students to bring the same attitude to interactions with their peers.

3) Compassionate Discipline

Our discipline practices are rooted in compassion and grace. The Deans Team makes a concerted effort to understand the unique aspects of each disciplinary situation, recognizing that every case is different.

We recognize that everyone makes mistakes, but focusing on learning from them is a key part of accountability. We except students to be coachable in moments of discipline.

4) Individualized Approach

While maintaining clear expectations and consistent consequences, we consider each student’s individual circumstances.

5) Integrating Faith and Learning

We believe accountability is best done in an environment of self-reflection and repentance.

We want students to feel comfortable holding each other accountable and remembering Proverbs 27:17 that “iron sharpens iron.”

Our goal is to nurture outward-focused, servant-minded students by staying rooted in the gospel.

Challenges and Solutions

Implementing a culture of accountability can be challenging, but we address these challenges with thoughtful solutions. Some common challenges include:

• Lack of Motivation: We make tasks engaging by incorporating students’ interests and passions and offering choices in how they demonstrate their learning.
• Balancing Grace and Discipline: We ensure that consequences are fair and consistent while also offering grace and forgiveness. Accountability is about growth, not punishment.
• Fear of Failure: We create an environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. Emphasizing growth over grades helps students focus on improvement.

Modeling Accountability

Our teachers play a crucial role in modeling accountability. They set clear expectations and consistently follow through on commitments, showing students the importance of reliability and integrity. By being punctual, prepared, and respectful, teachers provide a living example of how to handle responsibilities effectively. They also openly admit and learn from their mistakes, illustrating the value of transparency and continuous improvement.

At Lutheran High, we are committed to cultivating a culture of accountability that helps students grow academically, spiritually, and personally. By focusing on relationships, clear expectations, and compassionate discipline, we create an environment where every student can thrive.

Originally published in 2021, updated for accuracy in 2024.