The 11 Principles Framework
The 11 Principles Framework for Schools is a guide to cultivating a culture of character in schools and districts and is the cornerstone of the Schools of Character program. Based on decades of research on effective schools, the 11 Principles serve as guideposts for schools to examine current practices, identify short- and long-term objectives, and develop or strengthen a strategic plan for continuous improvement. The framework can be used as a tool for planning and assessment to improve school climate and culture, complementary to other initiatives (e.g. – PBIS, Responsive Classroom, social-emotional learning, restorative practices). The framework was updated in 2024. View 11 Principles update overview video.
The 11 Principles serve as an assessment tool and rubric for the Schools of Character application. Download the 11 Principles Score Sheet to learn more.
Looking for an idea to implement a specific principle? Browse our MN Promising Practices by Principle for inspiration!
11 Principles
1. A set of core values is selected, defined, embedded, and modeled throughout the school culture.
● Stakeholders intentionally consider, select, and affirm (or reaffirm) the school’s core values.
● The core values inspire, guide, and inform every aspect of school life.
● 1.3 Reminders and statements of the school’s core values are visible throughout the school community.
2. The school develops and implements an intentional, proactive, and comprehensive approach that embeds character into all aspects of school life.
● The school has an intentional process to critically reflect and discuss how virtually everything that happens in school has the potential to shape and influence the school’s culture of character.
● The school creates a written comprehensive plan that includes specific schoolwide character development goals and expectations.
● The school takes proactive steps to become a learning community, always on the lookout for new structures, approaches, and activities that will strengthen and enhance the school’s comprehensive character initiative.
● The school is intentional and proactive in helping students learn and apply a set of social, emotional, and behavioral skills that will help them manage their emotions, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
3. Every student understands, cares about, and practices the core values embedded in the school community.
● Staff provides multiple opportunities for students to understand and apply the school’s core values.
● The school identifies ways to encourage students to reflect upon, internalize, and make a positive and sustained commitment to liver their core values.
● The school provides opportunities for students to practice the core values so they become consistent habits of mind, hear, and choices.
4. The school creates a caring community where everyone feels they belong.
● The school fosters caring relationships between students and staff.
● The school helps students form caring attachments with each other.
● School leaders foster caring relationships between all staff members and parents.
5. The school provides students with opportunities to practice and reflect on the character strengths that are shaping and forming their moral compass.
● The school provides all students with opportunities to participate in service learning connected to the curriculum.
● The school provides all students with opportunities to participate and reflect on the importance of community service and contributing to the common good.
● The school equips each student with the skills to practice academic integrity, especially when feeling pressure to be dishonest.
● The school equips each student to stand up to peer mistreatment.
6. The school offers a meaningful and challenging academic curriculum that encourages all students to develop their character strengths.
● The school develops a comprehensive plan to infuse character into the academic curriculum across all subject areas.
● Teachers and staff emphasize and reinforce how all students can develop the strengths of performance character (e.g., self-discipline, responsibility and resilience).
● Teachers and staff emphasize and reinforce how all students can develop the strengths of intellectual character (e.g., curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy, intellectual humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking).
● The academic curriculum provides appropriate challenges that address the learning needs of all students.
7. The school fosters character development by encouraging students to "do the right thing" for intrinsic rather than extrinsic reasons.
● The staff exchanges ideas on the most developmentally appropriate strategies, approaches, and practices that encourage students to develop and internalize their own moral compass.
● Student behaviors and mistakes serve as opportunities to teach and reinforce character development.
● The school staff empowers students to have a voice in creating the shared norms of the classroom and school culture, as well as their own character growth.
8. The school embraces shared leadership as a critical path to deepening its character initiative.
● The principal or school leader demonstrates a sustained commitment to the school’s character initiative.
● A leadership team of teachers, staff, students, and parents is empowered to design, implement, and assess the school’s character initiative.
● Students assume leadership roles that contribute to the school’s character initiative.
9. All staff share the responsibility to implement and reinforce the school’s character initiative.
● All staff members are encouraged to be involved in planning, designing, and implementing the school’s character initiative.
● The staff commits to finding ways to intentionally reinforce and model for students – and each other – the four domains of character (moral, performance, intellectual, and civic).
● Staff members intentionally reflect on their own character strengths and growth.
10. Families and community are integral partners in the school's character initiative.
● Families are involved in the school's character initiative.
● The school communicates with parents and caregivers about the character initiative and regularly seeks their input and feedback.
● The school strives to develop a “community of character” by involving different community stakeholders.
11. The school annually assesses the progress of its comprehensive character initiative and makes changes based on the information collected.
● Core values are reviewed on an annual basis so each core value can be reaffirmed or revised as needed.
● The school uses a variety of methods to measure and assess its character initiative.
● The school has an action plan for each academic year that includes specific year-long goals and objectives.
● The school assesses whether staff and students are aligning their actions and choices with the core values and other character strengths (moral, performance, intellectual, and civic).
Resources & Training
Resources and training are available to help develop an in-depth understanding of the 11 Principles and how to effectively implement them in your school or district. Character.org offers multiple support and training opportunities for K-12 schools and districts. If your school is interested in hosting a training, please contact Barb Bergseth at bbergseth@synergyexchange.org or 507-389-5112.
Purchase the "11 Principles Framework for Schools" through Character.org. This resource explains in depth each of the 11 Principles and provides key indicators of what the principle should look like when fully implemented.