Northside Middle Named 2024 National School of Character
Northside Middle School has been named a National School of Character, one of only 73 schools in the nation to earn this distinction in 2024.
The schools and school districts who apply for the National School of Character distinction must meet rigorous standards articulated in Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools. Character.org is a national advocate for the importance of character values in schools and communities. Each school is evaluated by a team of trained educators, assessing how a school’s “shared values” motivate students to make positive choices.
“Each of these schools and school districts has put in place a comprehensive approach to help their students understand, care about, and consistently practice the core values that will enable them to flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace, and as citizens,” Dr. Arthur Schwartz, President of Character.org, said in announcing this year’s Schools of Character.
“There is an ethic of care at these schools,” Lori Soifer, who directs the Schools of Character program, said. “Working together with students, parents, and community members, these schools are creating stronger communities focused on character.”
Northside Middle School joins two other TCSS schools, Huntington Place Elementary and Walker Elementary, as National Schools of Character. Huntington Place and Walker received this distinction in 2020.
Northside Middle partnered with The Hope Institute at Samford University to develop and implement the school’s character education program, The RAMS Way. The RAMS Way is respectful, accountable, motivated, and self-controlled.
Character.org will honor Northside Middle at its next national Forum in 2025.