Boys Town Home Campus - Boys Town, NE

The valuable social skills Boys Town children learn on a daily basis helped Boys Town High School receive the National School of Character designation.

Boys Town High School Named a National School of Character

Boys Town's Boys Town High School was one of just 10 schools throughout the country selected as a National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership.

The Character Education Partnership says the prestigious annual award recognizes Boys Town High School for strongly encouraging ethical, social, and academic growth of its students through effective character education.

"Our skill-based teaching emphasized in the lives of the severely at-risk youth we serve helps our kids demonstrate strong character in and around the Boys Town community," said Father Steve Boes, Boys Town National Executive Director. "All Boys Town children are well-deserving of this recognition."

After an in-depth application process that included a visit from the Character Education Partnership Blue Ribbon Panel of character education experts, the Partnership said it chose the school among 25 finalists because its students clearly demonstrated the positive influence Boys Town has made in their lives. Programs, such as Reading is Fame^®, Common Sense Parenting^®, and others promoted by Boys Town's Training Evaluation and Certification Center, that promote character throughout the community also helped solidify the award.

"Our youth and staff are honored to receive this recognition," said Dr. Robert Gehringer, Superintendent of Boys Town Schools. "Our emphasis on character from words and actions of youth and staff is included in all of our youth programs."

As a National School of Character, the high school will receive an award, national recognition, and a $20,000 grant at the Character Education Partnership's 14^th National Forum on Character Education Nov.1-3 in Arlington, Va. Boys Town High School will use the grant to continue serving as a national leader and model for other school districts seeking to improve their character education efforts.

The Character Education Partnership, based in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to developing young people of good character who become responsible and caring citizens. It is the nation's leading advocate for quality character education initiatives.