"Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education"
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Congratulations to Guilford County Schools for being selected as the North Carolina District of Character awarded by the Character Education Partnership and Social Studies Division of NC Department of Public Instruction! To read more, click here.

At Guilford County Schools, we recognize that teachers of the highest caliber, an engaging curriculum and even the most advanced technology are not enough to prepare our students for life outside the classroom. It also takes something else. We refer to this missing piece as character development. And while the details of this essential lesson are not outlined in any textbook, it will be reinforced by every teacher, at every grade level, in every school.

The benefit of strong character can't be measured by any test. Rather, it's demonstrated during those common instances when our students are given the opportunity to think for themselves. Simply put, character is about making the right choices. And if we can emphasize it from the moment a child begins school, character development can equip students with the tools and motivation necessary to be the change they wish to see in the world.

To download the Character Development brochure, click here.

To download the Character Development fact sheet, click here.

Fundamentals of Character Development

The three fundamental elements of the Character Development Initiative are character education, civic education, and service learning.  Character education includes the integration of character education into routine instruction and school related activities including sports, the arts and student organizations. Civic education in public schools has historically been the primary way to prepare students to use their skills and knowledge to be informed, engaged and responsible participants in our society. Service Learning calls teachers, students, parents and the community out of the classroom and into the lives of others where our compassion, vitality and knowledge will both grow and be of service.

Service-Learning Video