Washington, D.C. – Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character, Friday designated eighty-seven state-level Schools of Character, one District of Character, and two International Schools from the 228 applications received.
Highland Elementary School in Greeneville, Tennessee has earned recognition as a Tennessee State School of Character. “We are excited to announce today the 2024 State Schools and Districts of Character,” said Dr. Arthur Schwartz, Character.org’s President. “Each of these schools and districts have put into place an initiative that equips and empowers their staff to reinforce and model a range of positive core values that will shape and form the hearts, minds, and choices of their students.”
Character.org certifies schools and districts each year at the state level that have developed and implemented an intentional, proactive, and comprehensive approach that embeds character into all aspects of school life. The Character.org program complements Highland’s work as a Leader In Me (LIM) Lighthouse school, where students and staff practice and reflect on character strengths through leadership and rich learning opportunities.
Criteria for selection is based on Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools: A Guide to Cultivating a Culture of Character. The Framework includes key indicators on creating a caring school community where everyone feels they belong, providing students with opportunities to practice and reflect on their character strengths, and engaging families and communities as partners in the school’s character initiative.
Mrs. Heather Fay, ELA teacher and member of the LIM Lighthouse Leadership Team, shared, “Highland is a special school where students are seen for their individual genius, ability to lead themselves and others, and purposefully communicating stakeholders’ worth.”
Mrs. Noelle Smith, Highland’s principal added, “Highland’s culture is conducive to leading, learning and legacy making as the schoolhouse works in tandem with the student’s home to build children of character. It takes the entire learning community working as one to empower advocates for growth, learning and change.”
ABOUT CHARACTER.ORG: Character.org is a worldwide network of educators, researchers, and civic leaders that empowers people of all ages to practice and model the character strengths and core values that shape the hearts, minds, and choices of every person. Founded in 1993 and formerly known as the Character Education Partnership, Character.org is widely known for our 11 Principles Framework for Schools: A Guide to Cultivating a Culture of Character. The organization’s vision is to be the global leader and voice for developing character in families, schools, and organizations.
List of schools of character: https://character.org/character-org-recognizes-87-state-level-schools-of-character-and-1-district-of-character/
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