Signs of a Great Character Education Program

A good character education program instills core values, builds positive behavior, and creates a respectful environment, but a great character education program takes it further by embedding these values deeply into the school’s culture and daily practices, creating lasting impact on students’ lives and their communities. Here’s how they compare:

Signs of a Good Character Education Program:

1. Clear Core Values: The program defines and promotes a set of core values such as respect, responsibility, honesty, and empathy.
2. Incorporated into Curriculum: These values are explicitly taught through lessons and discussions, often integrated into social studies, literature, and classroom discussions.
3. Behavioral Focus: The program emphasizes good behavior and positive conduct, such as encouraging kindness, discouraging bullying, and promoting respect among peers.
4. School-Wide Initiatives: The school implements assemblies, posters, and activities like “Character of the Month” awards to reinforce values.
5. Teacher-Led: Teachers model the expected behaviors and encourage students to do the same through praise and discipline.
6. Focus on School Environment: The program creates a respectful and safe environment within the school where students are held accountable for their actions.

Signs of a Great Character Education Program:

1. Deep Integration Across Subjects: Character education is woven seamlessly into every aspect of the curriculum, not just a separate lesson. Math, science, art, and physical education all emphasize values like perseverance, teamwork, and integrity.
2. Experiential Learning: Students engage in hands-on activities like service projects, volunteering, and problem-solving scenarios that promote empathy, leadership, and community involvement.
3. Personalized Reflection and Growth: Students reflect on their own character development through journaling, self-assessments, and discussions. They are encouraged to set personal goals and take ownership of their growth.
4. Community and Family Engagement: A great program involves parents and the broader community in character-building efforts, ensuring that values are supported and reinforced beyond the school. Events, workshops, and community service projects often involve families.
5. Peer-Led Initiatives: Older students take on leadership roles in mentoring younger students, organizing character-building events, or even leading discussions on ethical dilemmas, creating a student-driven culture of character.
6. Culture of Trust and Empowerment: A great program fosters a culture where students feel trusted, respected, and empowered to take initiative, make ethical decisions, and lead with integrity. The program goes beyond compliance to develop leaders and active citizens.
7. Ongoing Assessment and Adaptation: The program regularly assesses its impact on student behavior and school culture and makes adjustments to stay relevant and effective. Feedback from students, teachers, and parents is valued and incorporated.
8. Lasting Impact Beyond School: Students leave with not just a knowledge of values but with the capacity to apply them in real-world situations. They carry these values into their future relationships, workplaces, and civic life, becoming role models and leaders in their communities.

In short, a good character education program teaches values; a great one transforms students, preparing them to be thoughtful, ethical, and engaged citizens who make a positive impact on the world around them.

The Pardes Approach to Character Education: Building Future Leaders

At Pardes, character education is not just an add-on; it is a core part of our mission. From kindergarten on, we believe in developing the whole child by focusing not only on academic excellence but also on strong moral values and personal growth. Our character-building program is grounded in our Character-Building Blocks and Core Values, which guide our students in becoming thoughtful, ethical, and engaged members of their communities.

Character-Building Blocks at Pardes:

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing in the feelings of others.
• Curiosity: Nurturing a desire for knowledge and exploration.
• Self-Control: Learning to regulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
• Hope: Cultivating a focus on positive possibilities and future success.
• Resilience: Developing the strength to persevere through challenges and setbacks.
• Gratitude: Fostering an attitude of thankfulness and appreciation for life’s blessings.

These building blocks form the foundation of how we approach character education. They are designed to help our students navigate the complexities of life, building a strong moral compass that will guide them through school and beyond.

Our Core Values:

• Emet (Truth): Encouraging intellectual honesty and speaking truth to ourselves and others.
• Chesed (Kindness): Promoting generosity and acts of kindness within our community.
• Kavod (Respect): Recognizing and honoring the dignity of others.
• Tzedek (Justice): Striving for fairness and righteousness in all interactions.
• Klal Yisrael (Wider Community): Working for the unity and wellbeing of our school and the global Jewish community.
• Tikkun Olam (Repair the World): Taking action to bring about fairness, equality, and peace.

What Sets Our Program Apart?

A good character education program defines core values, teaches students through lessons, and fosters a safe and respectful school environment. At Pardes, we take it further. Our great character education program is deeply integrated into every aspect of our school life from our kindergarten all the way through our middle school. We make these values a living part of our students’ daily experience.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Seamless Integration Across Subjects: Whether in math, science, literature, or art, our curriculum highlights values like perseverance, teamwork, and integrity.
2. Hands-On Learning: Whether they are in lower school or middle school, our students engage in service projects, volunteer work, and other experiential activities like Tikkun Olam/Innovation Day that reinforce the values of empathy, leadership, and community involvement.
3. Personal Reflection and Growth: Students regularly reflect on their character development through journaling and self-assessments, taking ownership of their personal growth and setting goals for themselves.
4. Family and Community Involvement: We partner with parents and the broader community to ensure that these values are reinforced at home and in everyday life. Family workshops and community service events like cyber security classes, parent/teacher organization, and Festival of Lights which bring everyone together in support of our shared values.
5. Student Leadership: Older students are given leadership opportunities, like student council and student ambassadors to mentor younger peers and lead discussions on ethical dilemmas, creating a student-driven culture of character.
6. Culture of Trust and Empowerment: Our students feel empowered to make ethical decisions and take the lead in making positive changes both inside and outside of school.

The Lasting Impact of Great Character Education

A great character education program doesn’t just teach values—it transforms lives. At Pardes, we aim to equip our students not only with academic knowledge but also with the tools to become thoughtful, responsible leaders. Our middle school students leave prepared to apply these values in real-world situations, making a lasting, positive impact on their communities and the world.

In short, a good character education program teaches values; a great one transforms students. At Pardes, we’re committed to fostering the next generation of leaders who will bring integrity, kindness, and resilience to everything they do.