The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to announce the creation of the Minnesota Schools of Character (MNSOC) awards program.   This program is modeled after the National Schools of Character (NSOC) program sponsored by the Character Education Partnership (CEP) and based on CEP’s Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education.

The program recognizes schools and/or districts that excel in exemplifying the eleven principles and demonstrate outstanding character education initiatives that yield positive results in student behavior, school climate, and academic performance.

As part of the Minnesota Schools of Character recognition program, CAE is also awarding Promising Practices Awards. These awards recognize schools in Minnesota that have developed and implemented a specific practice that promotes character development in their schools. These practices must be: specific, unique and transferable, provide measurable results and impact, and encompass at least one of the eleven principles. 

NEWS

• Minnesota Schools Honored at National Forum – click here for details

• Congratulations to the 2009 Minnesota Schools of Character & Promising Practices Awardees and to The Blake School in Hopkins for being named a 2009 National School of Character Honoree! (Click here for details)

• Blake Featured in CEP Publication - As a National School of Character, Blake was featured in a recent Character Education Partnership publication showcasing winning schools and their approach to character education. Read about how Blake challenges the mind and engages the hearts of its students.

2009 Minnesota Schools of Character –

• The Blake School, Hopkins, MN
• Schumann Elementary School, Long Lake, MN
  

2009 Emerging Minnesota Schools of Character –

• SAGE Academy Charter School, Brooklyn Park, MN
• Waseca High School, Waseca, MN
  

2009 Minnesota Promising Practice Awards –

• Avalon School, St. Paul, MN
• The Blake School, Hopkins, MN
• Chatfield Elementary School, Belle Plaine, MN
• Ellis Middle School, Austin, MN (Three Promising Practices)
• Orono Middle School, Long Lake, MN
• Schumann Elementary School, Long Lake, MN
• Waseca High School, Waseca, MN

Click for details and photos of the 2009 Minnesota Schools of Character & Promising Practices ceremony.

We are currently seeking schools/districts to make application for the 2010 awards programs. Click below for details:

• 2010 Minnesota Schools of Character program – applications due December 1, 2009.
• 2010 Minnesota Promising Practices program – applications due March 1, 2010.
   

Resources and Links

Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education	Character Education Quality Standards	State Schools of Character Awards	National Schools of Character Awards	Minnesota Department of Education