20+ SAMPLE School Statement

What Is a School Statement?

A school statement is a formal or official statement that is produced by any member of an academic community for a variety of reasons. The statement can concern any school matter- from internal academic affairs, student activities, to societal issues.  

According to an online article by Prodigy, a school mission statement can have a profound impact on student achievement. Mission statements also reveal the priorities and goals of an academic community.    

Types of School Statements 

A school statement can cover a pretty broad definition. Thus, it is imperative to make a distinction between the different kinds of school statements. As mentioned above, the statement can serve several purposes or have different objectives. The following examples describe just some of the most common types of school statements. 

Personal School Statement. A personal school statement is typically part of a list of application requirements for admittance to an academic program. Graduate school programs often require applicants to come up with a personal statement or purpose statement allowing them to share their individual experiences or journey in relation to their student goals. It gives them the space to express themselves and offer a background on their different circumstances and motivations. Usually, an admissions director or committee would review these statements along with other requirements. The candidate’s acceptance or rejection to the program would be based on these different requirements. The best kind of personal school statements reflect a genuine and deeper part of oneself. If you do plan on pursuing further studies, it’s important to have a certain degree of self-awareness in order to craft a more impactful and authentic personal statement. Official School Statement. Another kind of statement is an official school statement. Unlike a personal statement, it does not just concern an individual. It is a collective statement that aims to reinforce a stand or clarify an issue that concerns the academic community. School administrators or executives are the ones tasked to craft these types of statements. Official school statements can serve different purposes and can be put out whenever there is a need to. Throughout any given school year, multiple statements can be published to the general academic community. For instance, a statement can be used to disclose or explain the details of an incident, or it could also be a way of clarifying the school or university’s position on a particular issue. In other words, both internal and external affairs may be subject of an official school statement. School Mission Statement. One of the most basic and universal types of statements is a mission statement. A mission statement is not just limited to academic institutions, any private or public organization can create one as well. For a lot of companies, it is almost as fundamental as a business plan or action plan. Mission statements are usually accompanied by vision statements. They often go together because they are similar and complement each other. In other cases, they are also presented side-by-side with an organization’s core values. A good mission statement is brief, specific, and action-oriented. The word itself essentially demands action and activity. Although a school’s specific mission would, of course, depend on the school’s needs and overall direction. Lastly, it should not be too lengthy as well. It ought to be direct but loaded with information and detail for the public to understand. Teaching Statement. If students can craft personal school statements, educators can as well. But unlike a personal statement, a teaching statement is created in a different context. They are usually collective in nature as well. Teachers can band together to declare their collective support or express their shared disapproval over an issue. Whatever the reason, the voice and opinion of teachers are crucial. After all, they have the most important job of all, which is forming and molding students’ minds. In some cases, a teaching statement can merely be a formal reiteration of a shared teaching philosophy. Other times, it may be a critique or comment on a school curriculum or a specific aspect of it. And similar to a manifesto, a formal teachers’ statement then concludes with a list of educators’ signatures affixed to it.

Who Can Make a School Statement?

As discussed in previous sections, a school statement can be written or published by any member of the academic community. From school administrations, teachers’ unions or even student-led organizations, the following examples below enumerate and describe some of these essential players.  

Principal. Perhaps the most essential member in the position to publish a school statement is the school principal, campus director, or university president. The head of the school is tasked to keep the institution running smoothly, among other vital functions. When it comes to official school statements, it is the duty of school administrators to disseminate information that concerns the academic community. Statements can be presented in a number of ways- through memos, circulars, or general public announcements. Executive decisions and other important school matters must always be effectively shared to the community. Whether by publishing a physical memo or uploading a soft copy of the statement online, school principals and administrators can use various means of information dissemination for as long as they ensure that it reaches all members of the academic community.Student. As mentioned above, a student or would-be student is often required to come up with a personal school statement when applying for a graduate course or similar programs. It is generally part of a set of requirements for admission into the course. Graduate school statements are the most common, but undergraduate candidates can sometimes be asked to submit a personal essay as well. The topic or subject of the school statement will depend on the applicant’s preferences and objectives. How the candidate frames and plans their approach to the statement would also depend on their creativity and ability. Personal essays are usually not too lengthy. A one-page statement would usually suffice. What matters is the quality and content of the statement, not necessarily the length. The more impactful and engaging a personal school statement is, the greater the chances of it standing out and capturing the attention of an admissions committee. Faculty. Teachers, staff and other school employees can also outline and draft their own statements just as much as any member of the academic community. Educators as well as non-teaching school staff are the bloodline of any educational institution. Without them, a school or university will be unable to function or deliver its services. With teachers, there is strength in numbers and more weight when their voice is consolidated. Whether it is a teachers’ union or a particular college department, faculty and staff have every right to express their stand or concern for any issue that concerns them and the rest of the greater school population. Although, conditions may apply. For instance, any school statement initiated by teachers must get the approval or endorsement of the school administrators. The statement is typically screened and reviewed by a panel or committee before it is disseminated to the public.

How to Create a School Statement

To create a school statement, you need to establish a clear objective first. And if you are looking for quick and easy templates to use as a reference guide, you can choose from several sample statements from the curated collection above. Choose a template that suits your needs and follow the basic step-by-step guide below.  

Step 1: Identify the Recipient 

The first step is identifying the recipient of the statement. You need to clearly define who the school statement is for. Who is it addressed to? Who needs to be made aware of the information or facts in your statement? You need to formally address the recipient. Whether it is the general school population or an admissions director, be sure to use the appropriate titles or salutations accordingly. Format matters as well. School statements can come in different forms. It can be in the form of a one-page circular, essay, or even a brief press statement. Make sure that the format you use is suitable and makes it easy to identify the recipient.    

Step 2: Start with a Brief Introduction

The next step is to provide a short introduction. The opening lines are necessary because they allow a smoother transition of ideas. The objective and purpose of a school statement can vary. So there is no one way of creating an appropriate introduction because it would depend on the overall objective. It can be a simple greeting or a candid comment on what the reader or recipient can expect from the school statement. However you wish to frame your introduction, just be sure to keep it concise, brief and interesting. It should prepare the reader to understand the main points in the succeeding section.    

Step 3: Outline the Main Points

After creating an apt introduction, you can then proceed to the main part of the statement that contains all of the relevant details. Depending on what type of school statement you are crafting, there can be one or several key ideas. These may also be enumerated in bullet points if that will make it easier to understand. This section is essentially the core of the statement. It should be informative, direct, and clear. As much as possible, always keep your audience in mind. They should be able to comprehend the statement with as little difficulty as possible. This is especially applicable if the statement is addressed to the general school population. 

Step 4: Confirm the Statement  

Once you have outlined and provided all the important details, you can then proceed to the closing statement. The conclusion is just as important as the introduction. Again, it does not have to be long, keep it around the same length as the introduction or even shorter. For formal and official statements coming from academic administrators, it is necessary to authorize the statement or at least make it appear legitimate. You can make a formal declaration at the end of the statement that it is for everyone’s accordance or guidance. Alternatively, you can also leave contact details to entertain any clarifications or questions. Lastly, you need to have an authority figure affix their signature to certify the statement.   

FAQs

How do you write a school statement?

To write a school statement, you need to first establish a clear objective. Once you’ve done this, you can plan your approach accordingly. Ideally, your statement should have a brief introduction, a main body and a sound conclusion. Refer to the previous section for more detailed instruction on how to create a school statement.

What is a school statement?

A school statement can mean different things. As discussed above, it can refer to an individual or personal school statement; or it can be a formal statement that’s meant to be disseminated to the general school population or the public.

What is an example of a school mission statement?

Ideally, a school mission statement is supposed to be action-oriented. A mission essentially implies that there is a plan to be executed or implemented. It’s important to keep the statement brief yet concise too.

School statements should be communicated effectively, regardless of the objective. Browse the wide selection of free templates above, select one that suits your needs, and start drafting your own school statement now!