School Culture as a Framework for Developing Students’ Disciplinary Character

Background: Character education, particularly the development of discipline, plays a crucial role in fostering responsible and ethical students. Schools are not only institutions for knowledge transmission but also environments where moral values and behavioral norms are cultivated through the reinforcement of school culture. Aim: This study aims to analyze the formation of students’ disciplinary character through the strengthening of school culture. Method: This research employed a qualitative approach using a case study design conducted in a junior high school. Data were collected through classroom and school observations, in-depth interviews with teachers, students, and the principal, as well as document analysis. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis involving data reduction, categorization, and interpretation. Results: The findings indicate that strengthening school culture through structured daily routines, teacher role modeling, and a reward system significantly enhances students’ disciplinary behavior. Students who actively participated in activities such as morning assemblies, classroom duty schedules, and discipline award programs demonstrated improvements in attendance, classroom participation, and compliance with school regulations. Teacher exemplarity was identified as a key factor influencing positive behavioral change. However, external factors, including family support and the broader social environment, also contributed to the effectiveness of disciplinary character formation. Conclusion: The study concludes that a positive and consistent school culture is a critical foundation for developing students’ disciplinary character. Sustainable collaboration between schools, teachers, and parents is essential to ensure the long-term success of character education initiatives.