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Commitment

Parents need to commit to model and reinforce to their children the core values and character strengths that mean the most to them. They also need to be creative and offer meaningful experiences that illuminate how important these character strengths are to the family’s core values.

Conversations

We know “We need to talk” freaks kids out, but too often parents avoid having conversations about character, especially as children get older. While it may not be easy to talk sometimes, we know from the research that parents who avoid talking to their children about serious matters quickly lose trust and connection.

Celebration

Parents need to find ways for their children to be active participants in their own character growth. Optimal character development occurs when children begin to make self-motivated commitments to consistently practice a core value (e.g. “I want to be the kind of person who is always honest and shows up on time.”) Parents need to celebrate these moments to shape and define individual character.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

June 25, 2025

Dear Friends,

The Character.org board recently voted to transfer all our intellectual property and program-related assets to CharacterPlus.

For more than 35 years, CharacterPlus, based in St. Louis, has provided evidence-based approaches and best practices to help educators create a caring, high-achieving school culture.

Going forward, our signature initiatives – including our Schools of Character and Promising Practices programs – will continue under the leadership of CharacterPlus. Most significantly, CharacterPlus will continue to use our 11 Principles Framework for Schools.

The name Character.org will remain an active, forward-facing platform.

School leaders will still be able to go to the Character.org website to learn about the 11 Principles or how to apply to become a School of Character (SOC). The SOC application will remain on the Character.org website. When schools are recognized for a Promising Practice or as a School of Character, the school banner will still prominently feature Character.org.

On behalf of the Character.org board and staff, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of educators who share our vision that every school should foster a culture of character. Together, we remain committed to the belief that when we prioritize character, we don’t just improve schools – we transform lives.

Respectfully yours,

Dr. Arthur Schwartz
President

The 11 PRINCIPLES FRAMEWORK

Based on decades of research, the 11 Principles is a guidepost to plan, implement, assess, and sustain your school’s commitment to cultivating a culture of character.

Since 1999, the 11 Principles Framework has helped thousands of schools develop and implement a comprehensive and sustained character initiative that is woven into all aspects of the school’s culture, teaching, and student learning.

Click here to learn more about how the 11 Principles can help guide every aspect of school life, including everyone’s choices, actions, and behaviors.

Learn More

OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

2026 Schools of Character Application

Our prestigious National Schools of Character program certifies schools and school districts throughout the United States and across the globe that have embedded a set of shared “core values” that serve as the beating heart of the school. More than 3 million educators, students, parents, and community members have been positive impacted by creating a culture of character.

Click here to learn more about becoming a School of Character. Click here for the 2026 Schools of Character Application.

Recognizing Schools for a

PROMISING PRACTICE

Each year Character.org is proud to recognize and celebrate schools that have implemented a Promising Practice that has helped the school build an intentional culture of character. A Promising Practice is an innovative approach that promotes a particular character strength, fosters a sense of belonging, highlights the importance of service learning, or engages caregivers and the community.

Click here to learn how your school can be recognized for a Promising Practice.

Learn More

CREATE NEW CONTENT ABOUT CHARACTER

National Reports on the State of Character in America:

Commitment

Conversations

Celebration

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The 11 PRINCIPLES FRAMEWORK

OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

Recognizing Schools for a

PROMISING PRACTICE

OUR PUBLICATIONS

PARENT SURVEY

SERVICE LEARNING

HONESTY / INTEGRITY

EARLY CHILDHOOD

CREATE NEW CONTENT ABOUT CHARACTER

Digital Storytelling Initiative:

National Reports on the State of Character in America:

“Content of Your Character” Campaign:

Consistency

Community

Commitment

Conversations

Celebration

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The 11 PRINCIPLES FRAMEWORK

OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

Recognizing Schools for a

PROMISING PRACTICE

OUR PUBLICATIONS

PARENT SURVEY

SERVICE LEARNING

HONESTY / INTEGRITY

EARLY CHILDHOOD