Virtue-based character education
Virtues are good habits, acquired through practice and effort.
A key aspect of Kingswood’s philosophy is helping our students grow in virtue: to be the best persons they can be. Natural virtues empower an individual to become a more complete person. It is the growth in virtue that leads to the development of competent, responsible, considerate and committed people.
How our Character Education Program works:
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• Each month there is a school-wide virtue featured in the curriculum
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• Each grade has a pertinent sub-virtue that is level appropriate on which they focus
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• These virtues are then incorporated into the daily curriculum and discussed during homeroom
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• 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.
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• 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 Scope and Sequence
The following table illustrates the principles emphasized in our classes on a yearly basis.