State Schools of Character Overview


Winter Park Elementary, North Carolina
2008 SSOC Winner
(from L to R) State superintendent, counselor, principal, US Dep't. of Ed. representative


The State Schools of Character (SSOC) competition is a way for schools and districts in many states to receive recognition at the state level for exemplary character education programs.

Through the State Schools of Character (SSOC) competition, state sponsors from over half the states in the U.S. give SSOC awards to schools and districts within their states. State sponsors send the state’s best applicants on to the National Schools of Character competition. The number of awards each state gives varies from state to state as does the award itself. Some states give certificates, some give banners. Some have site visits, most do not. They all hold celebrations for their SSOC, but the forms they take are varied and unique. Some celebrate at the school level with the student body participating. Others hold their celebrations at state houses, historic sites, during conferences, and even at TV stations and national sporting events. As state winners, SSOC serve as models within their states where they can share best practices and develop a state-level mentoring network among educators. CEP and state sponsors honor SSOC winners on their websites. See state activity in the National Schools of Character program.
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List of participating states         

List of 2009 winners       

Read about the 2008 SSOC winners

State activity in the National Schools of Character Program

Questions? Contact Janice Stoodley at jstoodley@character.org.