The schools and district selected as 2012 NSOC demonstrated through a rigorous evaluation process that character development has had a positive impact on academics, student behavior, and school climate. They are now expected to serve as models for other schools, helping them to achieve the same results.

2012 National Schools of Character

National Schools of Character Map

Click on the map to find a School of Character near you. Or, you may view National Schools of Character in a larger map. Visit individual NSOC pages for contact and other information.

Featured District of Character

Pinellas County Schools
Largo, FL
A 2007 National District of Character
As a large, diverse, urban school district, Pinellas works strategically through its Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools to disseminate character education practices to its 145 schools while still respecting their autonomy. In the most densely populated county in Florida, district-wide core values are clearly defined in behavioral terms and published, along with activities for teachers, throughout the system. Even bus drivers have been trained to understand and apply the core values with students on their buses, resulting in a remarkable 64 percent decrease in behavior problems on buses. Similarly, as a result character-related efforts in the district’s schools, incidents of inappropriate and even violent behavior at the secondary level have been reduced.