In order to educate the whole child, we must supplement our core academic offerings with an additional focus on character.  We believe this supplemental component of our education program is critical to producing students that are not only academically prepared for an institution of higher education, but are also prepared to succeed in the real world.  As such, Charlotte Learning Academy will merge character education lessons into our base curriculum.  Each month, we will select a specific character trait for teachers to incorporate into classroom lessons and we will promote this character trait during other aspects of the school day.  Some of the distinguishing features of this character-based education model are as follows:

• Social and emotional learning is emphasized as much as academic learning.
• Cooperation and collaboration among students are emphasized over competition.
• Values such as fairness, respect, and honesty are part of everyday lessons in and out of the classroom.
• Students are given ample opportunities to practice moral behavior through activities such as service learning.

Set forth below is an example of some of the character education traits on which Charlotte Learning Academy will focus at every grade level we serve.

• Responsibility – Being accountable in word and deed. Having a sense of duty to fulfill tasks with reliability, dependability and commitment.
• Perseverance – Pursuing worthy objectives with determination and patience while exhibiting fortitude when confronted with failure.
• Caring – Showing understanding of others by treating them with kindness, compassion, generosity and a forgiving spirit.
• Self-discipline – Demonstrating hard work controlling your emotions, words, actions, impulses and desires. Giving your best in all situations.
• Citizenship – Being law abiding and involved in service to school, community and country.
• Honesty – Telling the truth, admitting wrongdoing. Being trustworthy and acting with integrity.
• Courage – Doing the right thing in face of difficulty and following your conscience instead of the crowd.
• Fairness – Practicing justice, equity and equality. Cooperating with one another. Recognizing the uniqueness and value of each individual within our diverse society.
• Respect – Showing high regard for an authority, other people, self and country. Treating others as you would want to be treated. Understanding that all people have value as human beings.
• Integrity – A firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values. Being honest, trustworthy and incorruptible.