The Orono School District has been working over 15 years to plan and build a strong character program aligned to the district mission and goals. Compared to other Minneapolis suburbs, Orono is unique in its demographics, with 2,776 students, 93% of them white students. Orono compares well to top State and National test scores. Our students, while educationally and economically advantaged, describe challenges of cultural isolation as they enter more diverse university settings and experience life in a more global society. Forward-thinking strategic planners reviewed data on at risk behaviors and understood that the emphasis on academics was not enough. Study began in the late 1990′s on how the district could provide a program that emphasized the importance of strong character, academics, and relationship as the features that truly create success in life. The Orono School District continues the journey to develop the behaviors sought in employees, the education desired for students, and the weaving of character and social emotional teaching throughout the academic endeavor. The district consistently involves stakeholders to prioritize potential obstacles in common understanding. Our planners studied the research on emotional and social development and designed a character program heavily influenced by CEP’s 11 Principles, Michael Josephson’s models, and CASEL. Research continues and integrated curriculum design is based on a district continuous improvement model.

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