Minnesota Schools of Character applications are due December 1, 2010.  To be NSOC eligible, a school must have been engaged in character education for a minimum of three full years, starting no later than December 2007 for the 2011 awards. Districts need to have been engaged in character education for a minimum of four full years, starting no later than December 2006. For the first time, a NSOC honoree can apply again after five years, making NSOC honorees prior to 2006 eligible.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges who will select schools/districts for recognition as the  Minnesota Schools/Districts of Character. Top Minnesota applicants meeting NSOC criteria will be referred on to the National Schools of Character competition. Beginning in 2011, an SSOC winner will hold its designation for three years. Being an SSOC winner qualifies an applicant to be considered for the NSOC award. Since 1998, the Character Education Partnership (CEP) has named approximately 10 public and private schools and districts (K-12) as NSOC each year. But beginning in 2011, CEP will recognize ALL schools and districts that demonstrate an exemplary level of implementation of CEP's Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education.  

• 2011 Minnesota/National Schools of Character Award Application Form
• 2011 Application Cover Sheet (will be available this fall)
• Minnesota/National Schools of Character Self-Assessment Score Sheet (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet)
• Sample Applications
• Tips for writing a Schools of Character application (PDF)
• What a “4” Looks Like (PDF)
• PowerPoint presentation to assist with Schools of Character Application (Powerpoint)

 
Minnesota School of Character Awardees

Minnesota Schools of Character –

• 2010 - Horace May Elementary School, Bemidji
• 2010 - Lakes International Language Academy, Forest Lake
• 2010 - Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet School, St. Paul
• 2009 - The Blake School, Hopkins, MN
• 2009 - Schumann Elementary School, Long Lake, MN
• 2008 - Orono Public School District, Long Lake, MN

Emerging Minnesota Schools of Character –

• 2010 - Bamber Valley Elementary School, Rochester
• 2009 - Waseca High School, Waseca, MN
• 2009 - SAGE Academy Charter School, Brooklyn Park, MN
• 2008 - Trailview School, Mora, MN

 
Minnesota National Schools of Character Awardees