Grades 9–12
Hinsdale, Illinois
Public/Suburban
Enrollment 2,652
Hinsdale Township High School District 86
2008 National School of Character 

To start out, find a group of courageous students and passionate staff and move ahead. The delivery of the message is important, so be thoughtful and work with the students on how to package it for your student body. Don’t do it to them; build it with them.  –Kevin Pobst, Principal

Something different is happening at Hinsdale Central High School, located in picturesque Hinsdale, an affluent suburb some 20 miles west of Chicago. On the outside, the streamlined building with its spacious fields and manicured grounds could easily be the setting for a typical teen movie. But a visitor soon senses that a revolutionary movement is afloat here. The jocks and the brains are united, freshmen feel as valued as seniors, and “mean girls” have given way to meaningful-service gals. What is that revolutionary movement that threatens to wipe out the usual high school hierarchies? It is called character education.

Read more about Hinsdale in the 2008 NSOC book: Being Cool by Showing Character

SIGNATURE PRACTICES

Featured Lesson Plan: Conflict Resolution Skills Training
In Conflict Resolution Teams of 4-6, students go into classrooms of their freshmen peers within the first few weeks of the school year to help these new members of the their school community transition into high school.

Sample Practice: Character Continuum: A personal reflection on my character development journey
High school students reflect on their school’s core values as they progress through high school.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Pam J. Bylsma, Assistant Principal
Hinsdale Central High School
55th and Grant Streets
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Telephone: (630) 570-8215
E-mail: pbylsma@hinsdale86.org
Web site: central.hinsdale86.org