Liberty ES Named National School of Character

A Cherokee County School District elementary school has been named a National School of Character!

Liberty Elementary School is one of only 36 schools around the world to be recognized this week by the nonprofit Character.org as a 2023 National School of Character, the second time for the school to earn the prestigious honor.  

The nonprofit organization advocates for all people to become “educated, inspired and empowered to be ethical and compassionate citizens.”  Its School of Character awards honors schools and school districts that are models for excellence in teaching students to recognize positive ethical and performance character traits and develop them in themselves.  

The honored schools “have put in place a comprehensive approach to help students understand, care about, and consistently practice the character strengths that will help them flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace, and as citizens,” Character.org President Dr. Arthur Schwartz said.

The honor follows Liberty’s recognition in February as a State School of Character, in 2018 as a National School of Character and in 2017 as a State School of Character.  Liberty also has earned numerous Promising Practices awards from Character.org for specific service learning projects.  Character.org will honor Liberty ES and its fellow 2023 National Schools and Districts of Character at the organization’s International Forum in November in Washington D.C.

To earn the national honor, schools must meet high standards for character education.  School must submit detailed evidence demonstrating how they meet this standards, and schools then are assessed by a team of trained evaluators.

“There is an ethic of care at Liberty Elementary School,” said Lori Soifer, director of the Schools of Character program.  “Working together with students, parents and community members, Liberty creates stronger communities focused on character.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower thanked Principal Sandi Harrison and her team for their continued dedication to character education.  She and her staff and student leaders for the initiative will be recognized by the Cherokee County School Board and Dr. Hightower at an upcoming school board meeting.
 
“Liberty’s programs to teach students the value of kindness, honesty, trustworthiness and respect for themselves and others are models for not only our community’s schools, but also for schools worldwide,” Dr. Hightower said.  “This honor affirms the investment the Liberty community has made and continues to make in character education.  We’re so proud of the work you’re doing that earned this award and the positive difference you’re making in our community and world.”
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