Wren Elementary Named “School of Character”

The Palmetto Character Council has named Wren Elementary School a “State School of Character.”

Wren Elementary is one of only three schools in the state to receive the distinction.

Thirty states participated in the State Schools of Character program, which is administered by the Character Education Partnership (CEP). Being named a State School of Character is a preliminary step to being recognized as a National School of Character by CEP.

“These schools have created extremely positive school cultures where students and teachers feel safe and connected to each other in order to ensure the greatest learning environment possible,” said Lara Maupin, CEP’s National Schools of Character Director. “By focusing on relationships and what matters most in education, these schools have created the ideal conditions for learning and the students are thriving and growing into future leaders.”

Each year, Palmetto Character Council selects schools and districts that demonstrate, through a rigorous evaluation process, that their focus on character development has had a true positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. Selected schools are then named State Schools of Character and forwarded to CEP for consideration for national recognition as National Schools of Character.

State and National Schools of Character are expected to serve as models for other schools, by helping them to achieve the same results. Palmetto Character Council will recognize winners and honorable mentions in a state-level awards ceremony on March 22, 2013 in Columbia. CEP will announce finalists for the national award by March 1 and national winners in early May.

The other South Carolina schools recognized were Mt. Gallant Elementary School in Rock Hill and Round Top Elementary School in Blythewood. The South Carolina State Schools of Character honorable mention recipients are Saint Joseph’s Catholic School in Columbia, SC, Oakview Elementary School in Simpsonville and Delmae Heights Elementary School in Florence.

Character Education Partnership is a national advocate and leader for the character education movement. Based in Washington, DC, we are a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition of organizations and individuals committed to fostering effective character education in our nation’s schools.

Character Education Partnership provides the vision, leadership and resources for school, families and communities to develop ethical citizens committed to building a just and caring world. For more information about State and National Schools of Character and how schools can improve through high-quality character education, visit www.character.org or contact palmettoccsc@gmail.com.