This qualitative study was an evaluation of a method of school improvement that would enhance a middle school’s professional climate. A system called Appreciative Inquiry (AI) that has its main premise based on strengths versus what is wrong in the organization was selected for the study. Appreciative Inquiry uses a four step cycle of discovery, dream, design, and destiny (4D) to facilitate change in an organization. Participants use their own experiences to design and implement excellence in the organization. This study examined the effectiveness of Appreciative Inquiry in a middle school setting as an instrument to improve the professional climate through its use as a school improvement and shared decision system. The study determined that the Appreciative Inquiry process made a significant positive impact on the work climate of the middle school studied. The positive impact was recorded in several areas including greater sense of empowerment, parity in participation, greater feelings of self-worth, positive recognition, ease of plan generation and implementation, and greater staff commitment to the process. The Appreciative Inquiry process was shown to be an effective tool for improving the work climate and also showed its ability to provide the organization with multiple organizational and personal benefits.