Character Education Partnership Announces 2013 National Schools of Character Finalists

Feb. 28, 2013 - PRLog -- February 28, 2013 – Washington, D.C. – The Character Education Partnership (CEP) has named 28 public schools, 2 charter schools, and 5 school districts as National Finalists in the 2013 National Schools of Character (NSOC (http://www.character.org/schools-of-character/national-schools-of-character-overview/)) program.

“These schools are safe places that have developed cultures of respect and trust,” said CEP President Mark Hyatt. “They show us how an intentional emphasis on character and climate translates into creating the conditions necessary for learning, safety, and success.”

Schools that apply for NSOC recognition benefit from self-assessment as well as expert feedback they receive at no cost. Once they reach a standard of excellence, a process that may take several years, they are recognized as Schools of Character and asked to help other schools transform their cultures. Describing the program as a path to school improvement through high-quality character education, CEP has offered the NSOC program to K-12 schools and districts in the U.S. since 1998.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to share the inspirational stories of more school communities doing what’s best for children,” said Lara Maupin, NSOC Director. “These are schools where parents feel supported in their most important job – raising good kids.”  

The 35 National Finalists were selected from an applicant pool of 131 schools and districts across the United States based on the quality of their written applications. In March and April they will undergo an intensive screening process that will include site visits and analysis of the impact of their character-related efforts on academics, student behavior, and school culture.

The Finalists include 21 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 3 high schools, 4 mixed-grade schools, and 5 districts that include a high school district and a national charter school district. Three of this year’s Finalists are alternative schools. The Finalists represent 16 states, with Missouri having the highest number at 9. Over half of the Finalists have student populations where one-quarter or more qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The 2013 National Schools of Character will be announced in early May. CEP will honor these schools and districts at the 20th National Forum on Character Education, to be held October 24-27, 2013 in Washington, DC. Visit www.character.org to learn more about the NSOC program and the 2013 National Finalists.

The 2013 National Schools of Character Finalists are as follows:

Apollo Beach Elementary School, Apollo Beach, FL

Beasley Elementary School, St. Louis, MO

Berlin Community School, Berlin, NJ

Bierbaum Elementary School, St. Louis, MO

Burgess Elementary School, Myrtle Beach, SC

Carmel Elementary School, Woodstock, GA

Cherry Hill Alternative High School, Cherry Hill, NJ

Chesterfield Elementary School, Chesterfield, MO

Cleveland Elementary School, Cleveland, NY

Discovery Ridge Elementary School, O'Fallon, MO

Doby's Mill Elementary School, Lugoff, SC

Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, NC

Hagemann Elementary School, St. Louis, MO

Hanover Park Regional High School District, East Hanover, NJ

Henry C. Beck Middle School, Cherry Hill, NJ

Imagine School at Town Center, Palm Coast, FL

Imagine Schools, Arlington, VA

Independence Elementary School, St. Charles, MO

James A. McDivitt Elementary School, Old Bridge, NJ

Jefferson City Academic Center, Jefferson City, MO

Kay Granger Elementary School, Keller, TX

LaSalle Springs Middle School, Wildwood, MO

Madison Park Elementary School, Parlin, NJ

Mary B. Neal Elementary School, Waldorf, MD

Mehlville High School, St. Louis, MO

North Pointe Elementary School, Houston, TX

North Star Academy, Parker, CO

Orono Public Schools, Long Lake, MN

Orrville City Schools, Orrville, OH

Quarton Elementary School, Birmingham, MI

Rougher Alternative Academy, Muskogee, OK

Round Top Elementary School, Blythewood, SC

Theunis Dey School, Wayne, NJ

Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Vestavia Hills, AL

West Maple Elementary School, Bloomfield Hills, MI