2023 National Schools of Character
(May 24, 2023) St. Louis, MO… CharacterPlus®, the longest-running character education initiative in the country, is proud to announce Missouri’s 10 schools and one district named 2023 National Schools and Districts of Character. These schools and districts have demonstrated a focus on character development which has positively impacted academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. Nationally, 36 schools and 2 school districts received the honor this year.
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All of the schools selected as National Schools of Character have demonstrated exemplary implementation of Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, a framework for whole-school improvement. This designation lasts for five years.
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One of the highlights of our year at CharacterPlus is recognizing the hard work and dedication of these schools. CharacterPlus member schools and districts historically represent more than 20% of the nation’s National School of Character designees.
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This year, four local schools previously recognized as National Schools of Character reapplied and received the designation for the third time, meaning they have been involved in the Schools of Character process since at least 2013. Those schools are:
Independence Elementary (Francis Howell)
LaSalle Springs Middle (Rockwood)
Kehrs Mill Elementary (Rockwood)
Mehlville High (Mehlville
Five regional schools previously recognized as National Schools of Character reapplied and received the designation for the second time. Those schools are:
Betty Wheeler Classical Junior Academy (SLPS)
Parkway Central Middle (Parkway)
Parkway Early Childhood (Parkway)
Wild Horse Elementary (Rockwood)
Windsor Elementary (Windsor)
One local school district was also recognized as a National District of Character for the second time. That district is Bayless:
Additionally, one school received the designation of National School of Character for the first time. That school is Parkway South Middle (Parkway).
The Schools of Character program in Missouri is managed locally by CharacterPlus. CharacterPlus, located in St. Louis, is a partnership-based nonprofit organization committed to equipping school stakeholders with the resources they need to provide high quality character education. Through CharacterPlus, schools receive evidence-based development and training in effective character education for school transformation.
The 11 Principles of Character Education and State Schools of Character are trademarks of Character.org in Washington, DC. Character.org and CharacterPlus have been partners in character education since 1993.
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For additional information about this recognition or each school’s journey to State or National School of Character designation, please contact Nicole Diehl, Missouri Schools of Character Coordinator, at ndiehl@characterplus.org, or visit us at characterplus.org.