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Washington, D.C. (May 24, 2023) – Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character development in schools and communities, today certified 36 schools and 2 school districts as National Schools and Districts of Character.

“We are pleased to announce and celebrate the schools and school districts that have earned this national recognition,” said Dr. Arthur Schwartz, President of Character.org. “Each of these schools has put in place a comprehensive approach to help students understand, care about, and consistently practice the character strengths that will help them flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace, and as citizens.”

Since its inception, the National Schools of Character program has impacted over three million students, staff, parents, and community members. The schools and districts that apply must meet the rigorous standards articulated in Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools. Each school is assessed by a team of trained evaluators.

“There is an ethic of care at these schools,” adds Lori Soifer, who directs the Schools of Character program. “Working together with students, parents and community members, these schools are creating stronger communities focused on character.”

Character.org will honor the 2023 National Schools and Districts of Character at its next International Forum, to be held in Washington D.C., November 6-7, 2023. The complete list of the 2023 National Schools and Districts of Character is attached to this release. Learn more about the schools and districts being certified today on our website.

About Character.org: Founded in 1993, Character.org empowers people of all ages to practice and model core values that shape our hearts, minds, and choices. Since 1993, Character.org has inspired, recognized, and celebrated thousands of people in schools, organizations, workplaces, communities and families across the world. Character.org is widely known for its 11 Principles Framework for Schools: A Guide to Cultivating a Culture of Character, a comprehensive framework developed by school leaders and character education researchers. During the past 20 years, more than 1,000 schools have been recognized by Character.org as a National School of Character.

List of 2023 National Schools and Districts of Character 

** denotes District of Character 

Alabama: 
Skyland Elementary School, Tuscaloosa 
University Charter School, Livingston 

Georgia: 
Liberty Elementary School, Canton 
Webb Bridge Middle School, Alpharetta 

Florida: 
Carrollwood Day School, Tampa 

Kansas: 
Beloit Jr./Sr. High School, Beloit 

Michigan: 
Birmingham Covington School, Bloomfield Hills 
Greenfield Elementary School, Beverly Hills 
Leonard Elementary School, Troy 
Troy Athens High School, Troy 

Missouri: 
**Bayless School District, St. Louis 
Betty Wheeler Classical Junior Academy, St. Louis 
Independence Elementary School, St. Charles 
LaSalle Springs Middle School, Wildwood 
Kehrs Mill Elementary, Chesterfield 
Mehlville High School, St. Louis 
Parkway Central Middle School, Chesterfield 
Parkway Early Childhood Center, Ballwin 
Parkway South Middle School, Ballwin 
Wild Horse Elementary, Chesterfield 
Windsor Elementary, Imperial 

New Jersey: 
Fort Dix Elementary, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
**Hanover Park Regional High School District, East Hanover 
Hilltop Elementary School, Mendham 
Howard L. Emmons Elementary School, Pemberton 
Kennedy Elementary School, Succasunna 
Lincoln Roosevelt School, Succasunna 
Madison Park Elementary School, Parlin 
Moss School, Metuchen 
Samuel T. Busansky Elementary School, Pemberton 

New York: 
William H. Barton Intermediate School, Queensbury 

Texas: 
Harmony School of Science-El Paso 
Harmony Science Academy-El Paso 
Kay Granger Elementary School, Keller 
Krimmel Intermediate School, Klein 
North Pointe Elementary School, Houston 
School of Science and Technology Northwest, San Antonio 

Washington: 
Clara Barton Elementary, Redmond

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