Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part C (2025)

This study investigates the role of school climate and home environment in fostering moral values and academic achievement among higher secondary students in Chennai city. Employing a normative survey research design, data were collected from 1,446 students across 20 schools using stratified random sampling. The research utilized a self-developed Test for Moral Values among School Students (TMVSS), the standardized School Environment Inventory (SEI), the Home Environment Inventory (HEI), and students’ first terminal exam scores to assess academic achievement. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), the t-test, and correlation coefficients were employed to analyze differences and relationships based on gender, parental education, occupation, income, type of school management, type of school, and major subject groups. Findings indicate that improvements in school environment are associated with a shift from good to excellent moral values and from normal to very good academic performance. Although schools cannot provide a perfect environment, continuous enhancement remains possible. Interestingly, moral values were found to be good even in low home environment contexts, underscoring the potential of targeted parental education through seminars and counseling. The study emphasizes the need to cultivate positive attitudes from early childhood through the combined efforts of parents, families, and teachers. Initiatives such as family projects and collaborative activities can strengthen trust, sharing, empathy, and respect, ultimately contributing to students’ moral and academic growth.