Schools recognized as national leaders in character education

Congratulations are in order for 71 schools and three school districts recently recognized as the 2025 National Schools and Districts of Character. These institutions have been acknowledged for integrating character into their school culture.

The breakdown by grade level includes 35 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, nine high schools, two pre-K schools, seven K-8 schools, three middle/high schools, three K-12 schools, and three districts.

Geographically, the majority of these recognized institutions are located within the United States: New Jersey and Texas each host 19 recipients, Missouri has 13, Alabama follows with nine, Oklahoma with three, Florida and Michigan each with two, while New York also has two. Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania each have one recipient. Internationally, Colombia is home to one recognized school.

The top ten core values most frequently cited among these institutions include respect (53 mentions), responsibility (41), integrity (26), kindness (21), empathy (19), perseverance (14), trustworthiness (12), caring (10), citizenship (9), and self-control (8). In total, there were 86 unique core values highlighted by the awarded institutions.

Several specific initiatives were noted in the applications from these institutions. Juan Pablo Duarte – Jose Julian Marti School in New Jersey has implemented a house system reflecting its core values through crests and mantras. Harmony School of Science El Paso in Texas promotes FIERCE—an acronym for Friendly, Integrity, Empathetic Respectful Collaborative Engaged—as a guiding principle. Washington Middle School in Missouri uses ROCK—Respect Ownership Commitment Kindness—as its touchstone. Vestavia Hills Elementary at Cahaba Heights in Alabama follows the Big 3 touchstone: Be safe; Be respectful; Be your best. Pen Argyl High School in Pennsylvania upholds the “Code of the Green Knight,” which encompasses protecting integrity and honoring diversity.

Prominent programs contributing to character development across these institutions include Bully Busters; Center for Character and Citizenship at University of Missouri-St. Louis; Character Counts!; Conscious Discipline; Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement; Leadership Advancing Character and Culture in Schools at Alverno College; Leader in Me; Leadership Academy for Character Education; MindUp; Ron Clark Academy House System; Responsible Classroom; Restorative Discipline Initiative; RULER at Yale University; Sandy Hook Promise; Second Step among others.

Overall recognition emphasizes commitment to fostering character development as a central component of education within these honored institutions.