93 International Journal of Scientific Research in Education, JUNE 2011, Vol. 4(2), 93-104 School Climate and Academic Performance in High and Low Achieving Schools: Nandi Central District, Kenya Lazarus Ndiku Makewa i Department of Educational Administration, Curriculum and Teaching University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya Email: ndikul@gmail.com Elizabeth Role ii Director of Graduate Studies and Research University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya E-mail: bethrole@gmail.com Jesse Role iii Department of Technology University of Eastern Africa, Baraton Kenya E-mail: drjrole@yahoo.com & Ernest Yegoh iv Department of Educational Administration, Curriculum and Teaching University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya E-mail: ernestyegoh@yahoo.com ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Abstract This study sought to find out the type of school climates prevailing in all the provincial secondary schools and the school climate differences between the high and low performing provincial secondary schools in Nandi-Central District, Kenya. Causal- comparative research design was used where the mean ratings on school climate of 103 teachers of four high and four low performing schools were compared and analysed to establish the extent of differences and their implications. High performing schools recorded a more favourable ecology, milieu, and school culture than the low performing schools. School climate was found to have a significant influence on academic performance of students in provincial secondary schools in Nandi–central district. The study recommended that schools strive to improve the schools’ ecology, milieu, social climate and school culture, thereby creating a positive climate that will encourage better academic performance among students. Keywords: School, climate, milieu, culture, ecology, academic performance, Kenya Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Makewa, L. N., Role, E. Role, J., & Yegoh, E. (2011). School Climate and Academic Performance in High and Low Achieving Schools: Nandi Central District, Kenya. International Journal of Scientific Research in Education, 4(2), 93-104. Retrieved [DATE] from http://www.ijsre.com ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………