Cornerstone’s Jefferson-Douglass Academy has been named a 2025 Promising Practice School by Character.org, a national organization that recognizes exemplary character development initiatives in schools across the country. One of only four schools in the State of Michigan to be honored with this designation, JDA was selected for its Character Club program, To the Heights with Character Kites.
Developed by Character Educator Keri Tarrant, the effort promotes virtues such as respect, responsibility, self-control, and gratitude, using kites as a metaphor for personal growth and character development. Students in grades 3–8 were invited to “soar to the heights” by demonstrating consistent positive behaviors and participating in service-oriented activities, such as distributing food to families in need and packing more than 200 care packages filled treats, a toy and a positive virtue wrist band to a school for the deaf in Ghana.
“’In the Heights’ means you’re behaving with self-control, showing respect to fellow classmates, teachers, yourself and the environment. And you’re taking responsibility by getting your homework done and coming to class prepared,” Tarrant explained. “If you’re doing those things as well as being grateful and kind, your behaviors are in the heights, so I’m taking you out to fly kites!”
These kite-flying events celebrated student achievements, with classrooms working together to design kites representing the virtues they had focused on throughout the year. The program also engaged families, staff, and community members, with many contributing supplies and supporting student-led outreach efforts. “By leading efforts, students become more active in their own process of character development,” she added
According to Character.org, the Promising Practice designation recognizes initiatives that foster student engagement, build positive school culture, and provide meaningful opportunities for character development. This recognition is a key milestone on the path to becoming a certified National School of Character.
Read more about Cornerstone’s Character Education Program here.