The American Academy Character
The American Academy Character program highlights those traits which lead all of us to a consideration for and an understanding of others, truthfulness, and academic and personal excellence. For this important foundation of character, American Academy chose ten character traits which we feel best support our mission to cultivate a pleasant and safe school culture and a learning environment of respect and responsibility.
- Courage
- Humility
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Generosity
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Perseverance
- Self-Control
- Citizenship
Character content is addressed consistently and seamlessly in the classroom and tied in with the subjects being taught. Younger students receive more direct instruction about each character trait so the meaning and intent is clear and memorable. As the students grow socially and emotionally, teachers and support staff are presented with numerous and more organic opportunities for verbal reminders and classroom discussions about the meaning of each character trait, as well as related actions and scenarios. And American Academy staff members strive to model these important character traits for students in daily action and choices, and to live by the character program motto: be awesome every single day.
We know that making good character choices every day in all you do can be hard work! So we also encourage our students with school-wide character recognition through our trimester Leadership Awards and weekly student Shout Out announcements. Our teaching and support staff often create other campus-specific or classroom-specific incentives and reward opportunities for students.
And of course, because good character choices don't just happen at school, we encourage all American Academy parents to teach, discuss, and model the American Academy Character traits at home, along with any other values and character traits important to your family.
Download and print a copy of our American Academy Character posters: