Promising Practices
As part of the National Schools of Character awards program, the Character Education Partnership (CEP) gives Promising Practices awards to schools and districts in the United States and elsewhere for implementing unique and specific strategies in character education.
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| Alpha School of Excellence for Young Men Youngstown, Ohio The Alpha Launch A daily school-wide morning meeting builds community. Arts and Technology Academy Public Charter School, The Washington, District Of Columbia You Are a ROC Star: Thank You for Respecting Our Community Students and staff recognize one another for positive behavior. Ashland High School Ashland, Ohio The 3 R's: Developing core values and behavioral definitions A school community clearly identifies core values and behavioral expectations and uses data to gauge understanding. Aston Elementary School Aston, Pennsylvania Recess with the Principal Fourth and fifth graders play organized sports with the principal in a league format. Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES) Aventura, Florida Character Grows Daily at ACES Science Garden A school garden provides all students opportunities for service and science projects. Middle School Leadership Speakers Series Speakers discuss the importance of values in overcoming obstacles and achieving success, sparking discussion and reflection. Bayless Elementary School Kirkwood, Missouri South African School Service Project Students become active world citizens through the adoption of a South African school for children with disabilities. Bayless High School St. Louis, Missouri Nurses for Newborns Project Students make needed items for needy newborns and new mothers. Student-Led Conferences Students share their progress during conferences they plan and facilitate. Bayless Intermediate School Saint Louis, Missouri Character Kids Club A dozen students from across grade levels help plan and lead character education activities. Bayless Junior High School St. Louis, Missouri Character in the Curriculum Seventh graders learn the values of respect and responsibility through study of the civil rights movement. Belmont Day School Belmont, Massachusetts Children's International Festival Every other year, students celebrate the cultures of five selected countries through outreach, cross-grade partnerships, service, and a community festival. Bethalto East Primary School Bethalto, Illinois Bethalto East Mentor Lunch Program Community members meet with students at lunch once a month to eat, play games, and reflect. Beverly Woods Elementary School Charlotte, North Carolina Exceptional Children (EC) Buddies Regular education students are paired with children with disabilities in order to increase understanding. Birmingham Seaholm High School Birmingham, Michigan New Student Welcoming Group New students are invited to activities where they can meet other students and learn about ways to get involved in their school and community. Blades Elementary School Saint Louis, Missouri Blades Writing Program Students regularly write and deliver letters to staff and other students. Blessed Sacrament School Sandy, Utah Interfaith Meditation Garden Students and staff regain their sense of balance in a garden that welcomes members of all faiths. |
Bowles Elementary School Fenton, Missouri Pawsitive Office Referrals Students are recognized for exemplary behavior. Brennan Woods Elementary School High Ridge, Missouri H.A.P.P.Y. Hour (Helping Achieve Parent Participation Year-Round) Parents and teachers meet quarterly over refreshments to examine current issues such as bullying. Bright School Chattanooga, Tennessee Technology Coaches Ten fourth and fifth graders teach basic computer skills to nearly 40 senior citizens. Brush Creek Elementary School Marshall, North Carolina Reducing--Reusing--Recycling (R3) Students, staff, parents, and community members commit to recycling and raising environmental awareness. Camp Bennettsville Wilderness Institute Florence, South Carolina Mentoring from the Inside Out and Return Former gang members work with JROTC cadets at a nearby high school on community-service projects. Campostella Elementary School of Excellence Norfolk, Virginia Vine of Kindness The visual display of kind words helps boost student self-esteem. Carl W. Goetz Middle School Jackson, New Jersey Santa Calls An administrator makes calls home to inform parents of students positive behavior. Carmel Elementary School Woodstock, Georgia Writing to Celebrate Unsung Community Heroes Students engage in writing projects that honor local community workers. Carroll County Public Schools Westminster, Maryland Character Education---Discipline Committe Teachers and administrators from across a district come together several times a year to share data and best practices. Catalina Ventura School Phoenix, Arizona P.A.C.T. Program (Parents and Children Together) Parents of third, fourth, and fifth graders attend tutoring sessions with their children in order to be better prepared to help them with their homework. ParentLink Teachers facilitate classes for parents two or three evenings per month. Cedar Springs Elementary School House Springs, Missouri C.A.R.E. (Community Awareness Resource Education) Day Students become more connected with their community through presentations by community members. Central Park School for Children Durham, North Carolina All-School Recess Students practice social skills daily in a multi-age 45-minute recess period. Chesterfield Elementary School Chesterfield, Missouri Character Counts . . . Kids Teaching Character Students create an annual video showing character traits in action. Clark County Skills Center Vancouver, Washington Professional Skills Development Program Teachers incorporate professionalism training into their lessons. Colonia High School Colonia, New Jersey Dare to Care For one week, students and staff examine the crisis in Darfur and find ways to help. |
Columbia Elementary School Madison, Alabama Characters with Character Students learn important lessons through daily televised character segments. Comsewogue High School port jefferson station, New York Project Success Over 200 at-risk students are mentored by 25 staff members weekly. Cranford High School Cranford, New Jersey Senior Service Project Students design senior-year service projects that allow them to serve the community and explore possible careers. Crestwood Elementary School Crestwood, Missouri Crestlandia Character Café A variety of proactive activities encourage the use of good manners in the cafeteria. Crissey Elementary School Holland, Ohio Teach-To's The consistent teaching of behavioral expectations leads to better behavior and higher achievement. Cross Bayou Elementary School Pinellas Park, Florida Happy Hands Signing Chorus A chorus of hearing and deaf students performs popular music in sign language. Bobcat Running Club Runners ages 4 to 50+ meet twice weekly to run together in a club that reinforces school values. Delmar Elementary School Delmar, Maryland Bobcat Bunch A proactive program targets boys with behavior issues in order to decrease the incidence of maladaptive behaviors. Derby Middle School Birmingham, Michigan Invictus: Hanging Out with the Guys Incoming sixth-grade boys are paired with male staff members in order to help the boys navigate difficulties. Be There or B-Square! Teachers work with underperforming students twice per week after school, reinforcing responsibility and accountability. Don Earl Early Childhood Learning Center Arnold, Missouri Family Fun Activity Hour Students complete activities with their families that reflect character qualities. Dr. Paul Rafalides School (P.S. #33) Jersey City, New Jersey Mission Connect At-risk students are mentored by volunteer staff members in an effort to improve their self-confidence and achievement. Dynard Elementary School Chaptico, Maryland Eliminating the Achievement Gap Focus Group A staff works to eliminate achievement gaps through differentiation. Endeavour Elementary Magnet School of Technology Cocoa, Florida World Community Project Students write letters to people around the world in order to collect positive quotes. Reading Interventions Future educators and local high school students mentor kindergartners in pre-reading concepts, modeling social skills in the process. Escuela Secundaria Bilingue Isaac Newton Chihuahua, Singapore Building Character by Cultural Strengthening with Raramuris Students work to provide for the basic needs of indigenous families by trading with them for their handicrafts. Building Community Bridges: OXXO Workshop. A private school staff shares its character education knowledge with area public school teachers one Saturday per month. |
