Character.org Designates 64 Schools and 3 Districts as 2015 National Schools of Character

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Character.org (formerly the Character Education Partnership), a national character education advocate, today recognizes 64 schools and 3 districts from 14 states as 2015 National Schools of Character. Since Character.org's Schools of Character program's inception in 1998, 312 schools and 21 districts have been designated with this prestigious designation impacting more than 1.5 million students. (Complete listing of the 2015 National Schools and Districts of Character found at bottom of this announcement.)

The Schools of Character application process provides an opportunity for schools to receive feedback as well as recognition for growth and excellence in the area of character education as measured by Character.org's 11 Principles of Effective Character Education framework. National Schools of Character are schools (public, private, charter), early childhood through high school, and districts that have demonstrated through a detailed evaluation process that character education has had a positive impact on academics, student behavior, and school climate. The designated schools earn the right to use the National School of Character name and logo for 5 years.

"Each of the schools and districts designated as 2015 National School of Character has done a tremendous job linking 'smart and good' programs to so many youth; enriching students' lives across the USA," said Becky Sipos, Character.org's President & CEO. "Being designated a National School of Character recognizes the hard work that these schools put in to develop strong character education programs. They have created caring schools climates and prepare students to be future leaders who care about their communities. We are very proud all today's honorees and, in addition, every school that participated in the application process."

In March and April, all 104 National School of Character finalists underwent an intensive screening process that included site visits, conference calls, and analysis of the impact that their character-related efforts had on academics, student behavior, and school culture as part of the consideration to be named a National School of Character.

Character.org will honor the designated schools and districts at its 22nd National Forum on Character Education to be held the weekend of October 15-17, 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit www.character.org to learn more about the National Forum, the Schools of Character program (State & National), and the 2015 national honorees.

"What a tremendous honor to be named a 2015 National School of Character," said Doug Harness, principal of Bayless Jr. High School in St. Louis, MO. "The hard work our teachers and students displayed this year honors every teacher, student, administrator involved as the Bayless community. We hope to inspire other schools to participate in Character.org's programs that are truly life changing for so many students."

About Character.org:  Founded in 1993, Character.org, is a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. It works with schools and districts to educate, inspire and empower young people to be ethical and engaged citizens. It is led by education leaders who are dedicated to teaching youth how to be both smart and good through the advancement of quality character development in all schools. The impact of this is seen through improved academic achievement, decline in behavioral problems such as truancy and school violence, and an increase in an overall positive school climate. Visit www.character.org to learn more about the National Forum and the Schools of Character program.

About Character Education: Character education is an educational movement that supports the social, emotional and ethical development of students. It is the proactive effort by schools, districts, communities and states to help students develop important core ethical (recognizing what's right) and performance (doing what's right) values such as caring, honesty, diligence, fairness, fortitude, responsibility, grit, creativity, critical thinking and respect for self and others.

2015 National Schools of Character

CONTACT: Josh Steinseld, [email protected]

SOURCE Character.org

Related Links

http://www.character.org