The University of St. Francis and the Will County Character Coalition are pleased to partner with Character.org to offer the Illinois State Schools of Character Recognition Program, which is endorsed by the Illinois State Board of Education. The purpose of State and National Schools of Character is to identify and honor schools and districts that can serve as models of comprehensive, transformative character education.
To learn more about this opportunity or to apply online visit
Character.org: Schools of Character Program
Applications are submitted through Character.org: Get Started
The University of St. Francis and the Will County Character Education Coalition review and score all applications received for Illinois. Those identified as having met a standard of excellence will be named State Schools of Character (SSOC) for a period of five (5) years.
Once a school receives the SSOC classification, Character.org conducts a review for further consideration as a National School of Character (NSOC).
Each year, Character.org recognizes schools who have successful implementation of one or more of The 11 Principles of Character in a unique and replicable way through the Promising Practices designation. Many schools first apply for Promising Practice as an initial step toward Schools of Character recognition.
The application for Promising Practices does not require a description of a school’s entire character education program, but rather of a specific practice or aspect of the program that other schools may learn from and replicate.
Applications are submitted through Character.org: Promising Practices
2020
Harmony Emge School District 175 | Belleville
2017
Belleville Public Schools District #118 | Belleville
2019
– Emge Junior High School | Belleville
– Harmony Intermediate Center | Belleville
2018
– Ellis Elementary School | Belleville
– Forest Park Individual Education School | Joliet
– National School of Character Awarded 2020!
2017
– Freeburg Primary Center | Freeburg
– St. Mary of the Angels School | Chicago
2016
– Abraham Lincoln Elementary School | Belleville
– Embers Elementary School | Niles
2015
– Union Elementary School | Belleville
– Westhaven Elementary School | Belleville
Past Recipients
– Alton Middle School | Alton
– Central Junior High School | Belleville
– Henry Raab Elementary School | Belleville
– Namaste Charter School | Chicago
– Fox River Country Day School | Elgin
– Renfro Elementary School | Collinsville
Past Promising Practice Designations
– Belleville East High School | Belleville
– Freeburg Community Consolidated Schools | Freeburg
– Kingswood Academy | Darien
Character Education at USF
Character Education Program Guidance
Dr. Madonna Murphy
815-740-3212 or mmurphy@stfrancis.edu
Character Education flyer (download/print)
