Every parent wants their child to do well in school. Most also want something deeper: for their child to grow into a kind, honest, and responsible person. That is the goal of character education, and it is woven into daily life at EDUPRIZE, a tuition-free public charter school with six consecutive A+ Excelling ratings.
Strong academics and strong character are not competing goals. They grow together. When children feel respected and learn to respect others, classrooms become calmer, kinder, and more focused. Below, we look at what character education means and why it matters so much.
What Is Character Education?
Character education is the intentional teaching of values like kindness, honesty, perseverance, and responsibility. Rather than leaving these lessons to chance, we build them into the school day on purpose.
At EDUPRIZE, that shows up in traits we celebrate every day:
- Kindness and respect for others
- Perseverance when work gets hard
- Responsibility for choices and belongings
- Citizenship and caring for the community
These are not posters on a wall. They are habits we practice, notice, and praise until they become second nature.
Why Character Education Matters
Skills open doors, but character determines how a child walks through them. Employers, coaches, and neighbors all remember how a person treats others, and those habits form early.
A Better Place to Learn
There is also a practical payoff. When students are kind and responsible, classrooms run smoothly, and everyone learns more. Character and academics lift each other up.
Confidence That Lasts
Just as importantly, children who practice perseverance and kindness build real confidence. They learn that they can handle challenges and make a positive difference, which serves them long after they leave our halls.
Character Education at EDUPRIZE
Our small classes make this work possible. Because teachers truly know each student, they can guide character in the moment, celebrating a kind choice or coaching through a hard one.
We also partner with families, because character is strongest when home and school share the same values. Together, we help each child become not only a strong student, but a good person and a valued member of the Eagle family.
This partnership between home and school is one of the reasons families choose EDUPRIZE. Shared values create a consistent, supportive world for a child, and consistency is where good character grows.
Growing the Whole Child
In the end, character education is about growing the whole child. We want our students to leave EDUPRIZE ready for the next grade, yes, and also ready to lead, to help, and to treat others with kindness.
That is the promise behind everything we do. Strong minds and strong hearts, growing side by side, one day at a time.
How We Teach Character Every Day
Character is not a once-a-week lesson at EDUPRIZE. It shows up in the small moments that fill a school day. A teacher praises a student for including a classmate. A group learns to disagree respectfully. A child keeps trying after a mistake and feels proud for sticking with it.
We also give students real chances to practice. Classroom jobs build responsibility, group projects build teamwork, and helping a younger student builds empathy. These everyday experiences turn good values into lasting habits.
Character That Carries Beyond the Classroom
The goal of all this is simple: children who carry their character with them wherever they go. Parents often tell us they notice the difference at home, in a kinder word to a sibling or a more responsible attitude toward chores.
We measure success in more than test scores. We measure it in kindness shown, effort given, and the quiet confidence of a child who knows how to do the right thing.
Ready to Enroll for 2026-27?
Seats are still open at EDUPRIZE, and our enrollment team makes getting started quick and simple. Reach out today or apply online in just a few minutes.
EDUPRIZE Gilbert (K-8): 480-344-2622 | gilbertenrollment@eduprize.com
EDUPRIZE Queen Creek (K-8): 480-888-1610 | qcenrollment@eduprize.com
EDUPRIZE Online (K-12): statewide, fully virtual
Apply: https://www.eduprize.com/Apply/
Learn more: https://www.eduprize.com
Smart matters. Kind matters more. At EDUPRIZE, children learn to be both.