How to Build a Supportive School Culture for Students with Complex Needs

Mary Mangione, MA — Edited by Richard Van Acker, EdD — 4 minute read
Creating systems that help every student thrive—especially those who need us the most.

Introduction: The Challenge We Know Too Well

If you’ve ever left a student support meeting feeling unsure of the next step—despite everyone’s best intentions—you’re not alone. Many educators have experienced the frustration of supporting a student who requires more than what traditional systems are designed to offer. You may have a student who takes up much of your time, energy, and planning. You might feel pressure from team members to consider a more restrictive setting, even when your instincts tell you that there’s more to try.

Supporting students with complex needs is not easy work—but it is essential work. Building a supportive school culture isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about having the right systems, people, and mindset in place to create consistent, student-centered solutions.

Why We Keep Showing Up

With over two decades in education, one truth has remained constant: people and relationships are at the heart of progress. Every success I’ve experienced—whether as a teacher, team member, or leader—has come from collaboration, shared responsibility, and a willingness to try again when things don’t go as planned.
The most rewarding moments come when a student finally experiences success, and you know that it took a team of dedicated professionals working together to make that happen. When we come together to support our most complex learners, we create a school culture that lifts all students.

A Story: When the System Matters More Than the Strategy

Meet Marcus, a 7th grader who had been placed in a public therapeutic day school due to ongoing behavior concerns. At his new school, Marcus started making significant progress. With clear expectations, consistent routines, and timely interventions, he learned how to manage his emotions and use coping strategies effectively.

By the end of the year, Marcus was ready to transition back to his home school for 8th grade. His transition team put together a detailed support plan. But once back in his home school, Marcus began to struggle again. The strategies that once worked seemed to fall apart.

So what changed?

The Foundation: A Strong Tier 1 System

Marcus’s previous school had a solid Tier 1 foundation—clear behavior expectations, proactive instruction, and a consistent approach across classrooms. His home school, on the other hand, was still working to strengthen its Tier 1 practices. And without a strong Tier 1 system in place, even the most thoughtful Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions won’t be enough.

This is a common issue. We often increase interventions without examining the quality of our Tier 1 systems. When the foundation is shaky, everything above it struggles to hold.
Supporting students with complex needs is not easy work—but it is essential work.
Mary Mangione, MA

Building a Strong Tier 1 System

If we want to create schools where students with complex needs can succeed, we must begin with a strong Tier 1 system that is:
  • School-wide
  • Data-driven
  • Consistently implemented
  • Aligned with core values and mission

Let’s look at the steps to make that happen:

1. Define Clear School-Wide Expectations
Start with your school’s mission and vision. Identify the key values and behaviors that reflect your beliefs. Ask: Do students know what’s expected of them in every space—hallways, lunchroom, arrival, and dismissal? If not, those expectations need to be taught, modeled, and revisited regularly.
It’s important to remember that many students, especially those with complex needs, rely on explicit instruction in social and behavioral expectations. Executive functioning skills are still developing in adolescence. Assume they need support, not just reminders.
2. Reinforce Expectations with Consistency

Consistency is what turns expectations into culture. When every staff member reinforces expectations in the same way, students learn that the environment is predictable and safe. This consistency lowers anxiety, increases engagement, and improves behavior across the board.

Classroom Practices: Where Tier 1 Comes to Life

The classroom is where many students spend most of their day, and it’s where Tier 1 systems become real. Teachers play a critical role in building a culture that supports all learners.

Tips for Strong Tier 1 Classroom:

  • Establish and teach classroom routines: How students enter, exit, transition, and engage in learning should be clearly communicated and practiced.

  • Co-create classroom norms: Involve students in defining how they want their classroom environment to function. When students feel ownership, they’re more likely to uphold expectations.

  • Revisit and reteach: Just like academic content, behavior needs to be reviewed. Repetition builds confidence and clarity.


When Tier 1 is strong in every classroom, students with complex needs are more likely to succeed—because the expectations are clear, the support is predictable, and the environment is structured for growth.
One person can spark change—but a team can sustain it.
Mary Mangione, MA

What To Do If You’re Not There Yet

Not every school starts with a strong Tier 1 foundation—and that’s okay. The important thing is knowing where you are and being willing to take action.

If your Tier 1 system isn’t where it needs to be:

  • Start small: Focus on one area—like hallway behavior or classroom routines—and build consistency.
  • Involve the team: Bring teachers, support staff, and leadership together to align on expectations.
  • Use data: Look at behavior trends and identify areas where more structure or clarity is needed.

It’s important to remember that many students, especially those with complex needs, rely on explicit instruction in social and behavioral expectations.
Mary Mangione, MA

Final Thoughts: We Can Do This—Together

Building a supportive school culture for students with complex needs is not just a professional responsibility—it’s a moral imperative. When we take the time to build strong systems, we don’t just improve outcomes for a few students; we create environments where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
If your Tier 1 system needs strengthening, now is the time to reflect, reset, and rebuild. Our students deserve our best—and with the proper foundation, the entire school network can grow stronger, together.

Author’s Note:

Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or support staff member, your role in building a supportive culture matters. One person can spark change—but a team can sustain it. Let’s continue building systems that work for our students, not just around them.
written by

Mary Mangione

Mary Mangione is a coach for school building leaders specializing in creating specialized programming, restorative practices, trauma-invested schools, school-based mental health interventions, and multi-tiered systems of support. She has been a private tutor for students with special needs, special education teacher for ED/BD/Autism, mentor for a social services organization, substance abuse case manager, and assistant principal and principal of specialized and public alternative schools. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling, eating great food, providing taxi services for her two sons, binging Netflix, and is an active yogi. Mary is an Administrative Coach for Building Leaders with her Bachelors in Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Graphic Design and Painting, Master of Arts in Special Education, and Master of Arts in Principal Leadership.

EDITED BY DR. RICHARD VAN ACKER

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