2022 Schools of Character

Core Values

Our 2022 National Schools of Character highlighted a total of 283 core values, an average of roughly 5.5 per school. RESPECT was the core value cited the most (39 of the 52 schools and districts).

Here are the Top 10:

1. Respect (39)
2. Responsibility (26)
3. Integrity (17)
4. Perseverance (15)
5. Empathy (13)
6. Caring (12)
7. Kindness (11)
8. Trustworthiness (10)
9. Honesty (9)
10. Citizenship (9)

Altogether, 85 unique core values were cited. See below for the list of every core value.

Touchstone and Unifying Themes

Each School of Character has its own “character-inspired” language – a touchstone, motto, acronym, or unifying theme that drives home the message of what it means to be a member of the school community. We know from the research how critical it is for schools to create a common language. Here are four touchstone examples:

• • Aldene Elementary (New Jersey) strive to create HEART at their school (Helpfulness, Excellence, Acceptance, Respect, and Trust)
  • Fulton Science Academy (Georgia) asks everyone at the school to practice their I-CARE core values (Integrity, Curiosity, Advocacy, Resiliency, Empathy)
  • Carmen Trails Elementary (Missouri) creates “Character Spotlight” videos that feature students practicing their core values (Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Integrity, Perseverance)
  • Harmony School of Endeavor–Houston (Texas) strive to RAISE the bar (Respect, Acceptance, Integrity, Safety, Equality)

Shout Out to Programs That Support Our 2022 National Schools of Character

No one program, curriculum, or set of teaching practices guarantees an effective character initiative. The beauty of the 11 Principles Framework is that it offers schools the flexibility to connect everything they are doing (both in the classroom and outside the classroom) to foster character and social-emotional development. Below are some of the prominent programs and resources our National Schools of Character described as important to their comprehensive character initiative (alphabetical listing):

• 2Words
• Boys Town Well Managed Schools
• Buddy Benches
• Character Counts!
• Character Development and Leadership
• CharacterPlus
• CharacterStrong
• Collaborative Classrooms
• Conscious Discipline
• Medal of Honor Character Curriculum
• Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement
• Leader in Me
• Leadership Academy for Character Education (LACE)
• PBIS
• Project Adventure
• Project Wisdom
• Project Wayfinder
• New Jersey Alliance for Social, Emotional and Character Development
• Ron Clark Academy House System
• Responsible Classroom
• Restorative Discipline Initiative
• RULER (Yale University)
• Sandy Hook Promise
• Second Step
• The Hope Institute
• Growing Leaders (Habitudes)

The 85 Core Values cited by our 2022 National Schools of Character

1. Respect (39)
2. Responsibility (26)
3. Integrity (17)
4. Perseverance (15)
5. Empathy (13)
6. Caring (12)
7. Kindness (11)
8. Trustworthiness (10)
9. Honesty (9)
10. Citizenship (9)
11. Self-control (7)
12. Fairness (6)
13. Compassion (6)
14. Excellence (6)
15. Courage (4)
16. Safety (4)
17. Diversity (4)
18. Grit (3)
19. Equality (3)
20. Friendship (3)
21. Acceptance (2)
22. Leadership (2)
23. Curiosity (2)
24. Accountability (2)
25. Service (2)
26. Growth Mindset (2)
27. Teamwork (2)
28. Determination (2)
29. Cooperation (2)
30. Mindful (2)
31. Acceptance (2)
32. Gratitude (2)
33. Family (1)
34. Selflessness (1)
35. Engagement (1)
36. Obligation (1)
37. Optimism (1)
38. Equity (1)
39. Shared-Decision Making (1)
40. Advocacy (1)
41. Resilience (1)
42. Passion (1)
43. Compassion (1)
44. Cooperation (1)
45. Positive attitude (1)
46. Principled (1)
47. Understanding (1)
48. Pride (1)
49. Scholarship (1)
50. Persistence (1)
51. Humor (1)
52. Accountability (1)
53. Dedication (1)
54. Appreciation (1)
55. Love (1)
56. Effort (1)
57. Student-centered Learning (1)
58. Communication (1)
59. Commitment (1)
60. Collaboration (1)
61. Awareness (1)
62. Unity (1)
63. Independence (1)
64. Resilience (1)
65. Compassionate (1)
66. Assertion (1)
67. Problem-solvers (1)
68. Set goals (1)
69. Inclusive (1)
70. United (1)
71. Ambitious (1)
72. Genuine (1)
73. Imaginative (1)
74. Appreciation (1)
75. Education (1)
76. Critical-thinking (1)
77. Inquiry (1)
78. Ready to learn (1)
79. Cooperative (1)
80. Self-confident (1)
81. Courtesy (1)
82. Work ethic (1)
83. Success (1)
84. Structure (1)
85. Patience (1)

States

Our 2022 National Schools and Districts of Character are located in the states below::

States

New Jersey (14)

Missouri (13)

Texas (11)

Alabama (4)

New York (2)

Oklahoma (2)

Washington (1)

Colorado (1)

Georgia (1)

Wisconsin (1)

North Carolina (1)

Kansas (1)