2025 National Schools of Character
(May 22, 2025) St. Louis, MO… CharacterPlus®, the longest-running character education initiative in the country, is proud to announce Missouri’s 13 schools named 2025 National Schools of Character. These schools have demonstrated a focus on character development which has positively impacted academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. Nationally, 71 schools and 3 districts received the honor this year.
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.
One of the highlights of our year at CharacterPlus is recognizing the hard work and dedication of these schools. “We are so proud of our partner schools for their intentional and continued commitment to creating a positive, caring culture and climate throughout their school communities,” said Debbie Brandt, Missouri Schools of Character Coordinator. “Their dedication to continuous improvement and efforts to ensure a sense of belonging for students, staff, and parents is to be commended and celebrated.”
CharacterPlus member schools and districts historically represent more than 20% of the nation’s National School of Character designees.
This year, one local school previously recognized as a National School of Character reapplied and received the designation for the fourth time, meaning they have been involved in the Schools of Character process since 2008. That school is:
Chesterfield Elementary (Rockwood)
Five regional schools previously recognized as National Schools of Character reapplied and received the designation for the third time. All have been engaged in the process since at least 2010. Those schools are:
Long Elementary (Lindbergh)
Oak Brook Elementary (Parkway)
Oakville High School (Mehlville)
Ross Elementary (Parkway)
Selvidge Middle School (Rockwood)
Two local schools previously recognized as National Schools of Character reapplied and received the designation for the second time. We are proud to recognize:
Babler Elementary (Rockwood)
Reed Elementary (Ladue)
Additionally, CharacterPlus is excited to announce that five schools received the designation of National School of Character for the first time. Those schools are:
Eureka Elementary (Rockwood)
Nike Elementary (Meramec Valley R-3)
Riverbend Middle School (Meramec Valley R-3)
Washington Middle School (School District of Washington)
Zitzman Elementary (Meramec Valley R-3)
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 professional 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 Debbie Brandt, Missouri Schools of Character Coordinator, at dbrandt@characterplus.org, or visit characterplus.org.
Missouri’s National Schools of Character is generously supported by:
