In Perceived quality of school climate played a particularly salient role in the internalizing problems of early adolescent boys. Although perceptions of low levels of friction and more perceived cohesion among classmates were associated with fewer depressive symptoms for all boys, they were particularly likely to be associated with fewer internalizing problems for boys at elevated risk for adjustment problems, namely, those low in effortful control. Boys low in effortful control also were likely to show fewer depressive symptoms if they reported high levels of satisfaction with classes. These findings corroborate the limited existing research showing that perceived good quality school clima might protect at-risk early adolescents from emotional problems