School Spotlight: Character education that works.

At Vista Charter Academy in Grand Rapids - as at every other charter school managed by the company National Heritage Academies - a streamer is added to the banner listing the virtues that are the core of its mission: Wisdom, Respect, Gratitude, Self-control, Perseverance, Courage, Encouragement, Compassion, Integrity.

With building character becoming an increasingly important part of what parents want in their schools, it's not surprising that these schools have long waiting lists and high parental and teacher satisfaction. National Heritage Academies has built a great school culture working with parents, students, and staff to develop a strong moral development focus that is integrated into all the courses in these "back-to-basics" schools.

Vista, opened its doors in1996 and serves more than480 students, and prides itself on the strong school culture within its walls. Like many schools today, this one is diverse. But to ensure camaraderie and a sense of purpose throughout the school, the emphasis on virtues helps students to get along and learn meaningful habits, besides.

Principal Jane VanDeusen recalls a meeting with a student and her parents about an incident in the third-grader's classroom in which she pushed her desk into the hand of another student, injuring that student. VanDeusen emphasized the "Others First" motto at the meeting, leading the student to better understand alternative ways to react in future situations.

The National Heritage Academies were established in 1995, with the aim of becoming a nationwide K-8system of more than 200schools. By striking partner-ships with parents, the academies are a combination of strong curriculum, moral guidance and a commitment to children. Currently 27 academies are located in Michigan, North Carolina and New York and serve 11,400students.

On national surveys, parents often cite discipline as one of their major concerns. Teachers, too, point to disruptive students as one of their biggest obstacles. But the National Heritage Academies schools show that schools can make discipline problems the exception, and not the rule. The schools aim to integrate character education in all elements of the curriculum and build on the morals taught by parents. "We talk a lot about heroes and why role models are good," says Todd Avis, NHA's director of curriculum and teacher development.

Students are recognized publicly for demonstrating ideal attributes. One avenue of that recognition is at the academies' opening ceremony, held every school day in each school. The opening ceremony features students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing patriotic songs and learning and discussing the virtue of the month. The morning ceremonies, in which parents are welcome and attend, are aimed at "anchoring" students, Avis says, by giving them the right tools to make decisions during the school day.

There are other steps the academies take to establish a good school culture. Vista, like other academies, encourage strong parental involvement in the school and even provide a special parents' room where moms and dads can hold meetings, plan for events or just hangout. A Parent Ambassador at Vista stays in constant contact with parents and brings concerns to VanDeusen that might otherwise be overlooked.

Finally, like many other academies, Vista also requires students to wear school uniforms as a way to erase economic status of members of the student body, divert attention from material possessions, and make the children feel as if they are all on the same level playing field.

At Vista, some kids come from wealthy families, others from shelters. "With uniforms, no one knows from where the other one is coming. The students are really enjoying each other instead of getting caught up in a cultural thing," VanDeusen says.

Any school can adopt the right elements to ensure that character is a necessary component of the school day and throughout the year. The key is making sure that everyone involved - from staff to students to parents - know and live the traits, and that there is enough reference to the character focus in the ordinary teaching every day to make it count.