Alabama Welcomes New National Schools of Character and Promising Practices

 

Character.org recently announced 36 schools as 2023 National Schools of Character. Two of these impressive schools are in Alabama, and The Hope Institute is proud to have partnered with each of them on their character journeys through their participation in the Hope Leadership Academy.

Each school has dedicated incredible time and effort into fostering a school culture that develops students into people of character, and we are thrilled to congratulate them on this honor. Please join us in celebrating these deserving schools:

2023 National Schools of Character - Alabama

  • Skyland Elementary School

  • University Charter School

Additionally, 177 Promising Practice awards were given to schools, 15 of which are in Alabama. The Hope Institute is delighted to celebrate this accomplishment alongside these schools, almost all of which are past or current participants in Hope Leadership Academy.

Character.org awards Promising Practices to schools “using creative approaches to help children and teens understand, care about and consistently practice the core values that will enable them to flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace and as citizens.” Please join us in recognizing the good work happening in these deserving schools:

2023 Promising Practice Schools - Alabama

  • Austin Junior High School*

  • Chickasaw City Schools 

  • Cornerstone Schools of Alabama* 

  • Cornerstone Schools of Alabama Middle School* 

  • Cornerstone Schools of Alabama, Elementary Campus* 

  • Forest Hills Elementary School* 

  • Homewood High School* 

  • i3 Academy Middle School* 

  • i3 Academy*^ 

  • R.L. Young Elementary School 

  • Springville High School^

  • University Charter School* 

  • Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge* 

  • Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park* 

  • Windham Elementary School 

*denotes Hope Leadership Academy participation ^denotes that an administrator of the school is a Hope Fellow

Find the official NSOC press release (available here) below:

Washington, D.C. (May 24, 2023) – Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character development in schools and communities, today certified 36 schools and 2 school districts as National Schools and Districts of Character.

“We are pleased to announce and celebrate the schools and school districts that have earned this national recognition,” said Dr. Arthur Schwartz, President of Character.org. “Each of these schools has put in place a comprehensive approach to help students understand, care about, and consistently practice the character strengths that will help them flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace, and as citizens.”

Since its inception, the National Schools of Character program has impacted over three million students, staff, parents, and community members. The schools and districts that apply must meet the rigorous standards articulated in Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools. Each school is assessed by a team of trained evaluators.

“There is an ethic of care at these schools,” adds Lori Soifer, who directs the Schools of Character program. “Working together with students, parents and community members, these schools are creating stronger communities focused on character.”

Character.org will honor the 2023 National Schools and Districts of Character at its next International Forum, to be held in Washington D.C., November 6-7, 2023. The complete list of the 2023 National Schools and Districts of Character is attached to this release. Learn more about the schools and districts being certified today on our website.

To learn more about the schools and school districts being certified this year, please visit https://character.org/press-release-2023-nsoc/

 
Awards, AnnouncementsStefanie Landes