This basic qualitative study explored school leaders' perceptions of school climate. In this study, school leaders were defined as teachers, department chairpersons, and administrators who had participated in the researched district's voluntary instructional partnership program. Previous studies of school climate have primarily focused on identifying and measuring the domains or characteristics of school climate or have been quantitative studies reporting aggregate results of school climate survey responses. This study focused on exploring the why informing respondents' answers. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, one-on-one interviews and a focus group meeting were conducted virtually. The results indicate that effective leaders must build and maintain positive, trusting relationships, which must be present to have a positive school climate. Effective leaders can build such relationships by being selfless and humble while demonstrating follow through, consistency, transparency, accountability and responsibility, and clear and effective communication. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]