Welcoming Our 2024 National Schools of Character

Congratulations to the 73 schools that recently became our 2024 National Schools of Character. Below are a few “data points” about these incredible schools and how they have fostered “character” as the heartbeat of their school culture.

Breakdown by grade level:

• 34 elementary schools
• 8 middle schools
• 15 high schools
• 8 K-8 schools
• 4 Pre-K schools
• 4 K-12 schools

Here is where our 2024 National Schools Character are located geographically:

• New Jersey (20)
• Texas (19)
• Missouri (12)
• Florida (6)
• Alabama (4)
• New York (3)
• Wisconsin (2)
• Michigan (2)
• North Carolina (1)
• Ohio – (1)
• Minnesota (1)
• Oklahoma (1)
• Connecticut (1)

Core Values

Our 2024 National Schools of Character cited 361 core values in their collective applications, an average of 4.9 per school. RESPECT was the most cited core value (49 of the 73 schools).

Here are the Top 10:

1. Respect (49)
2. Responsibility (28)
3. Integrity (21)
4. Perseverance (20)
5. Honesty (16)
6. Empathy (15)
7. Kindness (12)
8. Accountability (11)
9. Caring (11)
10. Trustworthiness (11)

Altogether, 86 unique core values were highlighted by our 2024 National Schools of Character. 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. The research shows how critical it is for schools to create a common language. Here are five examples:

• Stony Brook School-Rockaway (New Jersey) inspires their students to Be Kind, Be Fair, Be Respectful, and Be Your Best.
• Harmony-El Paso (Texas) inspires their students to be CHAMPS (Caring, Honest, Accountable, Motivated, Positive, Safe)
• Imagine-North Port (Florida) are the SHARKS (Safe, Hardworking, Accountable, Respectful, Kind, with Spirit)
• Cornerstone High School (Alabama) asks their students to set goals based on the school’s five core values. They share with their teachers (via writing or discussion) where they are making progress and where they need support. 
• Hancock Place Middle School (Missouri) holds a Core Value Kickoff at the beginning of the year. Teachers and students find creative ways to discuss how the school’s core values can be practiced in the classroom, hallways, and cafeteria. 

Character-inspired Resources

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 73 National Schools of Character described in their applications as important to their comprehensive character initiative (alphabetical listing):

• Bully Busters
• Center for Character and Citizenship (University of Missouri-St. Louis)
• Character Counts!
• CharacterPlus
• Conscious Discipline
• Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement
• Kelso’s Choice
• Leadership Advancing Character and Culture in Schools (Alverno College)
• Leader in Me
• Leadership Academy for Character Education (LACE)
• MindUp
• 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

The Character.org Board and Staff are proud to recognize and celebrate the 73 schools that have earned their National School of Character certification. Each of these schools has put in place a comprehensive approach to help students understand, care about, and consistently practice the core values and character strengths that will help them flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace, and as citizens.

Well done!

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The 86 Core Values cited by our 2024 National Schools of Character

1. Respect (49)
2. Responsibility (28)
3. Integrity (21)
4. Perseverance (20)
5. Honesty (16)
6. Empathy (15)
7. Kindness (12)
8. Accountability (11)
9. Caring (11)
10. Trustworthiness (11)
11. Citizenship (9)
12. Service (9)
13. Compassion (8)
14. Fairness (7)
15. Teamwork (6)
16. Positive (6)
17. Gratitude (5)
18. Confidence (5)
19. Courage (5)
20. Safe (4)
21. Creativity (4)
22. Determined (4)
23. Inclusive (4)
24. Self-control (3)
25. Loyalty (3)
26. Critical thinking (3)
27. Cooperation (3)
28. Excellence (3)
29. Dedicated (3)
30. Friendly (3)
31. Love (2)
32. Leadership (2)
33. Optimism (2)
34. Problem solving (2)
35. Achievement (2)
36. Acceptance (2)
37. Thoughtfulness (2)
38. Motivated (2)
39. Hope (2)
40. Goal oriented (2)
41. Equity (2)
42. Diversity (2)
43. Empowered (2)
44. Effort (2)
45. Forgiveness (1)
46. Supportive (1)
47. Grit (1)
48. Global (1)
49. Conservation (1)
50. Justice (1)
51. Appreciation (1)
52. Tolerant (1)
53. Hardworking (1)
54. Generous (1)
55. Passion (1)
56. Pride (1)
57. Neighborly (1)
58. Be Your Best (1)
59. Self-discipline (1)
60. Achievement (1)
61. Honor (1)
62. Mindfulness (1)
63. Involved (1)
64. Reflective (1)
65. Ready (1)
66. Open-mindedness (1)
67. Encouragement (1)
68. Selflessness (1)
69. Encouragement (1)
70. Self-reliant (1)
71. Wisdom (1)
72. Ambitious (1)
73. Relationships (1)
74. Resilience (1)
75. Be Here (1)
76. Patience (1)
77. Dignity (1)
78. Happiness (1)
79. Self-awareness (1)
80. Strong (1)
81. Continuous improvement (1)
82. Tenacity (1)
83. Let Go and Move On (1)
84. Collaborative (1)
85. Holism (1)
86. Committed (1)