CARDINAL CHARACTER
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Character Education is an important part of the educational experience at St. John’s.
In order to fulfill our commitment to provide the best character education for students, St. John’s has partnered with Character Strong. This organization works with schools across the country to equip students with the skills they need to navigate a complex world. This program aligns with our Cardinal Character traits and Episcopal School Values. Character Strong will be incorporated into the K-8 curriculum and emphasizes critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving abilities, social and emotional life skills, ethical character traits, and practical knowledge which supports the development of the whole child.
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Growth Mindset
Elementary Division
In our Elementary Division, we participate in a program through Character Strong called PurposeFull People. The lessons in grades K-5 focus on three main outcomes: be well, be strong, and be kind. It is designed to help us weave simple, powerful, relatable content into everything happening at school and beyond. Each Friday, we spend time working and learning about character during our Cardinal Connection time. There will be games in the classroom and on the playground that help reinforce the messages. In the classroom, our teachers will integrate everything from 30 second strategies to longer activities designed to teach skills of Collaboration, Gratitude, Courage, Kindness, Empathy, Creativity, Honesty, Perseverance, and Responsibility.
Middle Division
In our Middle Division, Character Strong’s work focuses on three main outcomes: increasing a sense of belonging for all students, improving skills that support student well-being, and deepening student engagement in their academics, in their school, and in their community. The lessons in grades 6-8 focus on developing skills and mindsets around building positive habits, understanding our emotions, developing resilience, and increasing empathy for others. The curriculum is delivered to students during their advisory, as well as during one trimester, as a class, taught by our school counselor.
