Virtue-based character education at Kingswood Academy
Virtues are good habits, acquired through practice and effort.
One of the key aspects of Kingswood’s philosophy is that of helping our students grow in virtue: to be the best persons they can be. Fostering opportunities for growth in virtue is a clear focus of the school’s planning and is integrated consciously and meaningfully into our teaching. We believe that natural virtues empower individuals to become a more complete person. It is the growth in virtue that leads to the development of competent, responsible, considerate and committed people.
Our program is focused on a school-wide virtue of the month. These virtues are further developed at each grade level with pertinent sub-virtues appropriate to each grade level. The virtues will be discussed during homeroom time as well as integrated within the daily curriculum.
We believe that “catching” a student doing good is a positive and attractive way to encourage virtuous behavior. When an adult or a fellow student notices a student living one of the virtues, they can write on a leaf how that person lived the virtue. All the virtue leaves are put on the virtue tree and we watch how the tree and our students grow.
At the end of each quarter, when the report cards are distributed, the principal will present a Virtue Achievement Award to those students who have achieved 3 or less check marks on their report card in the Character Development columns. This award will be the culmination of positive affirmations the student has earned for the quarter.
Character education chart
The following table illustrates the principles emphasized in our classes on a yearly basis.