Minnesota Promising Practices Awards — Synergy & Leadership Exchange

Minnesota Promising Practices

Looking for ideas to promote character development? Promising Practices are unique and successful practices created and implemented by schools, districts and youth-serving organizations that promote character development in Pre-K–grade 12 students and exemplify one or more of the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education.

A panel of education professionals evaluates the applications and makes recommendations for recognition to Synergy & Leadership Exchange. Honorees are celebrated at the Character Recognition Awards in May. Although the applications are similar, Synergy presents state-level awards; schools may apply separately to Character.org for national-level awards. There is no cost to apply for a state award. Applicants are encouraged to read examples of the award-winning Minnesota Promising Practices.

Apply Online

Download Application for Reference

For More Information Contact Barb Bergseth 507-389-5112

2025 Program Dates

Aug. 1, 2024 – Application Opens
Feb. 7, 2025 – Application Deadline
March 29, 2025 - Honorees Announced
May 13, 2025 - Character Recognition Awards

Application Process

Synergy looks for a wide variety of practices that successfully promote character education among youth. We do not recognize entire school-wide character education programs, practices emphasizing extrinsic rewards or the singling out of students for recognition for good behavior, or copyrighted, trademarked, or patented programs.

**Applicant Tips **

You are encouraged to compose your responses to the narrative questions in a word processing program and then cut and paste from your document directly into the application.

Character limits do not include spaces. Text that exceeds the character limits will be deleted.

If your practice is selected, you will be asked to upload a photo of your practice in action. Please have a .jpg file ready to upload. If you do not have a photo that represents your practice, you can upload a photo of your school. If your photo includes students, be sure to follow your school/district policies for releasing photos since this photo may appear on Synergy’s website.

Please note that contact information and overview information entered in this application may appear on Synergy’s website if your practice is selected as a Minnesota Promising Practice.

► Application evaluation criteria

Ready to apply? Complete your online application here!