Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Kualitas pendidikan menengah atas memiliki peran penting dalam menyiapkan generasi unggul dan berdaya saing, namun capaian prestasi siswa masih menunjukkan variasi signifikan. Penelitian ini bertujuan memahami bagaimana kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dan iklim organisasi mendukung peningkatan prestasi siswa di SMA Negeri 3 Banda Aceh dan SMA Negeri 16 Banda Aceh. Pendekatan kualitatif dengan paradigma post-positivistik digunakan untuk mengeksplorasi fenomena secara mendalam melalui observasi, wawancara mendalam dengan kepala sekolah dan guru, serta dokumentasi. Subjek penelitian yaitu kepala sekolah dan guru. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: Pertama, kedua sekolah memiliki perencanaan kepemimpinan yang sistematis, partisipatif, dan berbasis data, dengan visi-misi yang jelas dan program tahunan yang disusun bersama guru. Kedua, pelaksanaan kepemimpinan bersifat visioner dan komunikatif, didukung pembagian tugas yang terstruktur, komunikasi terbuka, dan pengembangan profesional guru. Iklim organisasi yang kondusif ditandai suasana kerja yang kolaboratif, budaya positif, serta monitoring prestasi siswa yang rutin. Ketiga, peluang yang dimiliki diantaranya: (1) meningkatnya prestasi siswa melalui pendekatan suportif, humanis, dan pembentukan iklim yang kondusif; (2) pengembangan program bimbingan belajar; (3) kegiatan ekstrakurikuler; (4) pembinaan karakter yang terintegrasi, sedangkan tantangan yang dihadapi diantaranya: (1) keterbatasan sarana dan akses teknologi, (2) perbedaan latar belakang sosial ekonomi siswa; (3) kurang optimalnya dukungan orang tua dan rendahnya motivasi belajar; (4) serta konsistensi program. Penelitian ini menegaskan pentingnya sinergi kepemimpinan dan iklim organisasi yang sehat untuk mendorong prestasi siswa secara merata dan berkelanjutan di sekolah menengah atas.

The quality of senior secondary education plays a crucial role in preparing an excellent and competitive generation; however, student achievement outcomes continue to exhibit significant variation. This study aims to understand how principal leadership and organizational climate enhance student achievement at State Senior High School 3 (SMA Negeri 3) and State Senior High School 16 (SMA Negeri 16) in Banda Aceh. A qualitative approach within a post-positivist paradigm was employed to explore these phenomena through observations, in- depth interviews with school principals and teachers, and document analysis. The research subjects consisted of principals and teachers. The findings reveal that: First, both schools have implemented systematic, participatory, and data-driven leadership planning, with clear visions and missions and annual programs developed collaboratively with teachers. Second, leadership implementation is visionary and communicative, supported by a structured division of responsibilities, open communication, and continuous professional development for teachers. The organizational climate is conducive, characterized by a collaborative working atmosphere, a positive school culture, and routine monitoring of student performance. Third, opportunities identified include: (1) improved student achievement through supportive and humanistic approaches and the establishment of a positive climate; (2) the development of academic tutoring programs; (3) extracurricular activities; and (4) integrated character education. Challenges encountered include: (1) limited facilities and access to technology; (2) students‟ diverse socio-economic backgrounds; (3) suboptimal parental support and low learning motivation; and (4) consistency in program implementation. This study underscores the importance of synergistic leadership and a healthy organizational climate in promoting equitable and sustainable student achievement in senior high schools.