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.

Schools Of Character

Lori Soifer

Director, Schools of Character

On behalf of Character.org board and staff, what an honor it is for me to recognize and celebrate our 2025 National Schools and Districts of Character.

Each of these 71 schools and 3 districts have implemented an intentional and comprehensive approach that embeds character into all aspects of school life. Whether you are just beginning or continuing your character journey, I invite you to become a part of our Character.org family. We look forward to working with you and your team to ensure every student at your school understands, cares about, and consistently practices the core values that will help them flourish in school, in relationships, and as a citizen.

Congratulations to our “Class of 2025”

National Schools of Character Press Release

Video Message Greeting to the ‘Class of 2025’

Jana Hawkins, Principal, Cambridge Elementary, San Antonio, Texas

Our 2025 National Schools and Districts of Character

Apshawa Elementary School, West Milford, New Jersey

Babler Elementary, Wildwood, Missouri

Bridgeport Elementary School, Bridgeport, New York

Brock_s Gap Intermediate, Hoover, Alabama

Central Elementary School AL,Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Central Freshman Academy, Phenix City, Alabama

Chesterfield Elementary, Chesterfield, Missouri

Clear Brook High School, Friendswood, Texas

DOVE School of Discovery, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Colegio Nueva Granada, Bogota, Colombia

Dove Science Academy Middle School Oklahoma City, Warr Acres, Oklahoma

Dove Science Academy Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Eastern Christian School Association, North Haledon, New Jersey

Dover Middle School, Dover, New Jersey

Forest Park Individual Education School, Joliet, Illinois

Eureka Elementary School, Eureka, Missouri

Fort Settlement Middle School, Sugar Land, Texas

Frank J. Smith School, East Hanover, New Jersey

Harmony School of Excellence-Sugar Land Elementary School, Texas

Harmony School of Exploration-Houston, Texas

Harmony School of Innovation- Austin, Texas

Harmony School of Innovation El Paso Middle_High,Texas

Harmony School of Innovation-El Paso Elementary, Texas

Harmony School of Innovation-Laredo, Texas

Harmony School of Science-El Paso-Middle High,Texas

Harmony Science Academy Carrollton, Texas

Harmony Science Academy Dallas High, Dallas, Texas

Harmony Science Academy Plano, Texas

Harmony Science Academy-Katy Elementary, Texas

Harmony Science Academy-Waco,Texas

Hartselle Intermediate School, Hartselle, Alabama

Huntington Place Elementary, Northport, Alabama

Imagine Kissimmee Charter Academy, Kissimmee, Florida

Imagine South Lake Charter School, Clermont, Florida

J. Harvey Rodgers School, Glassboro, New Jersey

Juan Pablo Duarte-Jose Julian Marti School #28, Elizabeth, New Jersey

Long Elementary School, St. Louis, Missouri

Louis Pizitz Middle School, Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Macopin Middle School, West Milford, New Jersey

Marcus W. Newcomb Middle School, Pemberton, New Jersey

Memorial Elementary School, Old Bridge, New Jersey

Nike Elementary School, Catawissa, Missouri

North Shelby School, Shelby, North Carolina

Northridge Middle School, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Oak Brook Elementary School, Ballwin, Missouri

Oakville High School, St. Louis, Missouri

Old Bridge High School, Old Bridge, New Jersey

Old Bridge Township Public Schools District, Old Bridge, New Jersey

Pemberton Township High School, Pemberton, New Jersey

Pen Argyl High School, Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania

Plainedge High School, Massapequa, New York

Reed Elementary, St. Louis, Missouri

Riverbend Middle School, Pacific, Missouri

Ross Elementary School, St. Louis, Missouri

Roxbury Public Schools, Roxbury, New Jersey

Sayen Elementary,Hamilton, New Jersey

School of Science and Technology Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

School of Science and Technology-Champions, Houston, Texas

School of Science and Technology-The Woodlands, Tomball, Texas

Selvidge Middle School, Ballwin, Missouri

Southside Elementary, Angleton, Texas

Southwood Elementary School, Old Bridge, New Jersey

Valleyview Middle School, Denville, New Jersey

Vestavia Hills Elementary at Cahaba Heights, Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Vestavia Hills Elementary, Dolly Ridge, Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Walter M. Schirra Elementary School, Old Bridge, New Jersey

Washington Middle School, Washington, Missouri

Wass Elementary,Troy, Michigan

West Maple Elementary, Bloomfield Township, Michigan

William A. Miller Elementary School, Old Bridge, New Jersey

William F. Halloran School 22, Elizabeth, New Jersey

Woodbury Middle School, Woodbury, Minnesota

Woodridge Elementary, San Antonio, Texas

Zitzman Elementary School, Pacific, Missouri

Becoming A School Of Character

A School Of Character has formed a positive and powerful culture that changes lives. The key to this transformation lies in a set of shared “core values” that are the beating heart of the school. These core values, chosen by the stakeholders of the school, embody what the school stands for and serve as the anchors and guideposts that unite and bind together the school community.

The process of becoming a School of Character isn’t just limited to a curriculum or a single aspect of school life. Rather, a School of Character has taken a proactive approach to implementing the 11 Principles Framework for Schools: A Guide to Cultivating a Culture of Character.

The 11 Principles Framework has inspired and guided thousands of schools around the world to develop a comprehensive and sustained character initiative that is intentional, involves all school stakeholders, and is woven into all aspects of the school’s culture, teaching, and learning.

When a school applies to become a School of Character, the application is reviewed and scored by one of our 350 evaluators, most of whom have been through the application process with their own schools. This peer-to-peer model is at the core of our approach to supporting schools committed to becoming a School of Character.

Please visit our Guide to Apply for more information.

Consistency

Community