Sacred Hearts Sister Katherine Francis Miller and Sacred Hearts Academy students load food into a car for a community service food drive. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Hearts Academy)
Sacred Hearts Academy in Kaimuki has been named a 2017 National School of Character by Character.org, the nonprofit organization that validates character initiatives in schools and communities around the world. It is the only school in Hawaii to achieve the designation.
Eighty-three schools and four districts in 21 states have been designated 2017 National Schools of Character and Districts of Character. The schools will be recognized at the 24th National Forum on Character Education Oct. 20-21 in Arlington, Virginia.
Academy students complete 60,000 hours of community service annually. In 2007, the school was selected as one of 10 National Schools of Character and completed a rigorous evaluation process to reapply for the 2017 designation.
Criteria for selection are based on Character.org’s 11 principles of effective character education.
Sacred Hearts Academy’s head of school Betty White called the repeat designation a “phenomenal accomplishment.”
“It is quite a feat to be named a National School of Character more than once,” she said. “The commitment, dedication and teamwork of the school community is greatly appreciated.”
Sacred Hearts Academy is Hawaii’s largest all-girls school, educating girls 3 to 18. It has graduated more than 7,000 women over the course of its 108-year history.
Founded in 1993, Character.org is a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to provide leadership and advocacy for character worldwide. It is dedicated to help people everywhere become inspired and empowered to be ethical and compassionate citizens.