CharacterPlus® Celebrates
2025 State Schools of Character
(January 24, 2025) St. Louis, MO… CharacterPlus®, the longest-running character education initiative in the country, is proud to announce the area’s 16 schools named 2025 Missouri Schools of Character. These schools have demonstrated a focus on character development which has positively impacted academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. In the 2025 nationwide evaluation process, conducted by Character.org, 98 schools have been named State Schools of Character, and 5 districts have been named State Districts of Character. Additionally, eight international schools have been named Schools of Character.
CharacterPlus is the Missouri affiliate for the State Schools of Character process and evaluates all Missouri schools and districts that apply. This recognition is given to schools and districts that have achieved a standard of excellence in the area of character development through their exemplary implementation of Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, a framework for whole-school improvement.
One of the highlights of our year at CharacterPlus is recognizing these schools' hard work and dedication. This year’s State School of Character honorees include:
Babler Elementary (Rockwood)*
Bayless Junior High (Bayless)*
Crestview Middle (Rockwood)*
EPiC Elementary (Liberty)
Hanna Woods Elementary (Parkway)*
Long Elementary (Lindbergh)*
Nike Elementary (Meramec Valley R-3)
Nipher Middle (Kirkwood)
Oak Brook Elementary (Parkway)*
Oakville High (Mehlville)*
Reed Elementary (Ladue)*
Ridge Meadows Elementary (Rockwood)
Riverbend Middle (Meramec Valley R-3)
Robertsville Elementary (Meramec Valley R-3)
Ross Elementary (Parkway)*
Selvidge Middle (Rockwood)*
*indicates the school/district has renewed its designation after five years
Additionally, two Missouri schools received the designation of Honorable Mention during this year’s evaluation process. Those schools are:
Hancock Place Elementary (Hancock Place)
Valley Park Middle (Valley Park)
Schools named a State School of Character hold the designation for five years and are eligible to be evaluated for recognition as a National School of Character. If a school is designated a National School of Character, they also hold that designation for five years. National Schools of Character are announced annually in May.
The State 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 evidence-based resources they need to provide high-quality character education. Through CharacterPlus, schools receive professional development and coaching 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.
For additional information about this recognition or each school’s journey to State School of Character designation, please contact Debbie Brandt, Missouri Schools of Character Coordinator, at dbrandt@characterplus.org.
Schools of Character is generously supported by:
Learn more at characterandcitizenship.org