A noted national organization that promotes good ethical values recently recognized eight Arizona schools, including one in Surprise, for implementing a character development program.

Character.org honored Imagine Prep Surprise, a sixth- through 12th-grade public charter school, for its Promising Practice program during the 2024-2025 school year.

”A Promising Practice is an innovative campus-wide approach to promote character strength amongst students, staff and other stakeholders,” school officials wrote in a news release. “These practices also align with the core values of the school itself.”

Character.org is a nonprofit formerly known as the Character Education Partnership. It was founded more than 30 years ago to encourage people of all ages to practice good ethical values.

The House and Character Committee at Imagine Prep Surprise led what it called House Party Days as its Promising Practice.

Teachers Megan Werner, Michele Pelletier and Jazmine Walker developed and led the quarterly events, which were designed to engage students in meaningful exploration and practice of Imagine Prep’s core scholar values.

The House Party Days provide students with opportunities to build a strong sense of community, develop strong character traits and deepen their understanding of how values are inter-related.

Students can participate in interactive lessons, games, videos, assemblies and the opportunity to make connections between the scholar values and their academic and personal achievements.

These activities are enhanced with surveys, reflective discussions and team and community-building collaborations that allow for meaningful connections to academic and personal growth.

According to the school’s Promising Practice application, House Party Days demonstrate the importance of character learning and the impact it will have on school culture.

“By creating a space for students and staff across grade levels to collaborate outside of their normal peer groups or classrooms, these events promote inclusivity, empathy and leadership,” school officials wrote.

The House and Character Committee noted that the impact of House Party Days on school culture has been substantial.

“Strengthening our foundational pillars of school culture has had a ripple effect that has led to increased school community and school spirit, as well as increased understanding of shared/scholar values,” a member of the committee said.

Unlike public schools in the area, the House Party Day supports students in the development of important social-emotional and soft skills that school officials said they believe is “essential for success in all aspects of life.”