Maple Grove Senior High Recognized for Excellence in Character Education

Synergy & Leadership Exchange has named Community of Peace Academy, St. Paul, a 2014 Minnesota School of Character and Maple Grove Senior High, from the Osseo Area Schools, an Honorable Mention Minnesota School of Character.

Each year, Synergy recognizes schools for outstanding character development through its sponsorship of the Character Education Partnership’s (CEP) State and National Schools of Character program.

Selected schools are first named Minnesota Schools of Character and forwarded to CEP for recognition as National Schools of Character. After being named State and National Schools of Character, schools serve as models and mentors, helping other educators transform their school cultures and improve academics and student behavior. 

For the past five years, Maple Grove Senior High has actively involved students, staff, parents and the community in an intentional process to create, develop and implement a character education initiative. This has resulted in the development of "The Crimson Way," based upon the district's six core values. 

Community of Peace Academy is a charter school founded with a profound vision to educate the whole person – mind, body and will – for peace, justice, freedom, compassion, wholeness and fullness of life for all. The school serves nearly 800 students with 86 percent qualifying for free and reduced meals and nearly 90 percent are of Asian, African or Latino descent. Community of Peace Academy has demonstrated, through a rigorous evaluation process, that their focus on character development has had a true positive effect on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate.

“CEP is excited to join Synergy in recognizing these schools for their dedication to creating positive school culture and climate where students feel safe, cared for, and inspired to be and achieve their very best,” said Schools of Character director Dr. Russ Sojourner. “We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our partner, Synergy & Leadership Exchange, for cultivating a network of educators who share our commitment to developing young people who are strong enough to do the right thing.”   

Synergy will honor Community of Peace Academy and Maple Grove Senior High at an awards ceremony at the State Capitol on May 8.

Synergy is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration to advance the development of ethical citizens, providing educational resources, and celebrating achievement and best practices in Minnesota schools, businesses and communities.