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Getting Started

In no particular order, here are some frequent stops for schools on their journey to becoming a School of Character.

Attend our Annual International Forum

Our annual Forum brings together hundreds of educators passionate about character. Connect and begin networking with school leaders who have already put into action the 11 Principles.

Build your character team

Whether it’s a task force or a committee, SOC schools are guided by a group of committed stakeholders that include faculty, parents, students, and community members.

Understand each of the 11 Principles

Schools of Character are selected based on their implementation of the 11 Principles Framework. Learn about how each principle will help your school develop a comprehensive approach to character development.

Contact our Director of Training & Coaching

Reach out to Tamra Nast to learn how Character.org can support your school. She loves helping schools learn about the 11 Principles. You can contact her at tamra@character.org.

Conduct an 11 Principles Self-Assessment

School teams examine current character practices aligned to each Principle. 

Self-assesment and scoring guide

Integrate a practice or two from your self-assessment

School teams create short- and long-term objectives for implementation that help strengthen their character development work.

Submit a Promising Practice to Character.org

Character.org annually recognizes specific classroom or school-wide initiatives and practices that are based on one or more of the 11 Principles. This is a great step for schools who have been working hard! Click here to learn more about Promising Practices.

Contact our Schools of Character Director

Reach out to Lori Soifer to learn more about the SOC process. You can reach her at lori@character.org.

Conduct an 11 Principles Mock Audit

The Mock Audit can be done at any point prior to submitting an application for certification. Schools receive robust, professional feedback on their overall character initiative and can use the audit as a roadmap for strengthening their application.

For more information contact Tamra Nast: tamra@character.org.