Character Education Partnership Announces 2014 National Schools of Character 41 Schools and 3 Districts Honored with Congratulations from Secretary of ED, Arne Duncan
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) May 16, 2014 -- The Character Education Partnership (CEP), a national advocate and leader for the character education movement, today named 41 schools and 3 districts as 2014 National Schools of Character (NSOC). These schools and districts have demonstrated, through a rigorous evaluation process that character development infused in their curriculum and school showcased positive impact on its school’s academics, student behavior, and school climate.
CEP has provided this program to K-12 schools and districts in the U.S. since 1998. Since its inception, CEP has awarded over 250 schools with the distinction of a National School of Character. 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 and performance values such as caring, honesty, fairness, responsibility, creativity, critical thinking, and respect for self and others. Character education provides long-term solutions to moral, ethical, and academic issues that are of growing concern in our society and our schools.
The National Schools of Character program is not a competition—but rather an opportunity to receive feedback as well as recognition for growth and excellence in the area of character development as measured by CEP’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education framework. National Schools of Character hold their designations for five years. CEP showcases the NSOC in an annual publication and on its website. The honored schools earn the right to use the NSOC name and logo. Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education created a video to help celebrate today’s honorees.
“Each of the schools named a 2014 National School of Character has its own individual story of student success and inspiration for their surrounding communities,” said Rebecca Sipos, CEP Interim President & CEO. “Additionally, this recognition is proof that these schools use character education at a very high level, which fosters an environment dedicated to preparing their students to be more ethical, caring and engaged citizens. We are very proud all of the honorees and every school that submitted an application.”
In March and April, all 50 NSOC finalists underwent an intensive screening process that included site visits, conference calls, and analysis of the impact of their character-related efforts on academics, student behavior, and school culture as part of the consideration to be named a National School of Character.
CEP will honor these schools and districts at the 21st National Forum on Character Education, to be held the weekend of October 30, 2014, in Washington, DC. Visit http://www.character.org to learn more about the National Forum, the NSOC program and the 2014 national honorees.
For more information on the historical impact of National Schools of Character, please click on this infographic.
2014 National Schools of Character are:
This year’s NSOC winners represent 16 states.
Florida
Imagine School at Town Center, Palm Coast
Imagine Weston, Weston
Kansas
Circle High School, Towanda
Maryland
John Poole Middle School, Poolesville
Michigan
Derby Middle School, Birmingham
Harlan Elementary School, Bloomfield Hills
Minnesota
Community of Peace Academy, St. Paul
Missouri
Bernard Middle School, St. Louis
Blades Elementary School, St. Louis
Blevins Elementary, Eureka
Hiram Neuwoehner High School, Town and Country
Ladue Middle School, St. Louis
Lindbergh Schools, St. Louis
Margaret Buerkle Middle School, St. Louis
McKelvey Elementary, Maryland Heights
Mehlville School District, St. Louis
Oakville Elementary School, St. Louis
Oakville Middle School, St. Louis
Robert H. Sperreng Middle School, St. Louis
Sherwood Elementary, Arnold
New Jersey
Cheesequake Elementary School, Matawan
Cherry Hill Alternative High School, Cherry Hill
Gibbsboro School, Gibbsboro
James A. McDivitt Elementary School, Old Bridge
Lawrence Township Public Schools, Lawrenceville
Oxford Central School, Oxford
Pauline J. Petway Elementary School, Vineland
Raymond E. Voorhees Elementary School, Old Bridge
New Mexico
New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell
New York
Canandaigua Middle School, Canandaigua
Harrison Avenue Elementary, South Glens Falls
Smith Street School, Uniondale
West Sand Lake Elementary, West Sand Lake
North Carolina
Colfax Elementary, Colfax
Southern Guilford Middle School, Greensboro
Southwest Guilford Middle School, High Point
Ohio
Centerville Primary Village North, Centerville
Oklahoma
Hilldale Middle School, Muskogee
Sadler Arts Academy, Muskogee
Pennsylvania
Charles Boehm Middle School, Yardley
South Carolina
Saint Joseph School, Columbia
Texas
Southside Elementary School, Angleton
Wisconsin
Capitol West Academy, Milwaukee
Woodlands School, Milwaukee
Josh Steinfeld, Character Education Partnership, http://character.org, +1 339-225-1581, [email protected]
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