Lyles-Crouch (LCTA), built in 1958, is a K-5 public magnet school in Old Town, Alexandria that serves a racially and socio-economically diverse population. During segregation African-American students in the city attended LCTA, including the current mayor of Alexandria, William Euille. In the decades after desegregation the school declined. In 2000, in an attempt to halt this decline, LCTA became a Traditional Academy and adopted school uniforms, behavioral contracts, small class sizes, a focus on E.D. Hirsch’s Core Knowledge, and an emphasis on character education (Character Counts! or CC!).

Today, CC! is the cornerstone of LCTA. Character education is not taught in isolation; CC! infuses all aspects of learning. It is incorporated in lesson plans and teacher development days. Mayor Euille touts the inter-relationship between character education and LCTA’s success. LCTA was the only 2009 NSOC Finalist from the greater Washington DC area after winning the VA statewide award. The recognition motivated the entire LCTA community (parents, students, teachers, staff) to join together and work harder to evolve. The NSOC process has been an invaluable tool for self-assessment and improvement.

Want to know more about Lyles-Crouch? Here’s what students and staff have to say about their National School of Character.

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