Building a Culture of Character at the Academy of St. Joseph
By Amal Sidani
At the Academy of St. Joseph, we are deeply committed to the holistic development of our students. While academic excellence remains a core focus, we believe that fostering strong character and positive relationships is just as essential to preparing students for success in life. This belief is what led us to integrate The Positivity Project (P2) into our school community — an initiative designed to empower students by helping them recognize and develop their character strengths. It has strengthened our school culture, reinforced our values, and provided a structured way to engage students in meaningful discussions about who they are and how they interact with the world around them. The program has not only shaped the way students view themselves but has also deepened their understanding of others, fostering an environment of empathy, integrity, and collaboration.
How P2 is Integrated into Our School Day
Character education is not an isolated component of our curriculum at the Academy of St. Joseph—it is embedded into everything we do and part of our 3 C’s — Character, Competence, and Compassion. P2 serves as the framework that connects character development to academic learning, social-emotional growth, and community engagement.
Each week, we focus on a different character strength from P2’s research-based curriculum. These strengths—ranging from perseverance and gratitude to integrity and open-mindedness—are explored through guided discussions, reflective journaling, and collaborative activities. These moments of reflection allow students to connect their personal experiences to the strengths they are learning about, helping them develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their peers. In Lower School (PK to 4th Grade), P2 lives in our daily morning meetings. In Upper School (Grades 5 to 8), P2 guides our weekly advisory sessions. During daily morning announcements, we always end with our “Good, Better, Best” mantra which concludes with “Have a great day and stay positive!”
In addition to dedicated P2 lessons, we incorporate character strengths into core subjects. Whether analyzing historical figures in Social Studies, discussing literary themes in English, or emphasizing teamwork in Science and Math, P2 is interwoven into the academic experience in an authentic and purposeful way. This integration ensures that students see character development not as a separate lesson but as an essential part of their everyday learning.
Shaping School Culture Through P2
One of the ways P2 has impacted the Academy of St. Joseph is through its effect on school culture. It has provided a shared language for students and faculty to discuss personal growth, relationships, and the impact of actions.
The emphasis on character strengths has created an atmosphere where students are more intentional about their choices and how they contribute to the school community.
P2 has given students tools to navigate challenges with a growth mindset. By consistently engaging in discussions about perseverance, resilience, and self-reflection, students are learning how to approach setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. They are developing confidence in their ability to overcome difficulties and recognizing the value of effort and determination in achieving their goals.
The Role of Educators in P2 Implementation
The success of P2 at the Academy of St. Joseph would not be possible without the dedication of our educators. Teachers play a pivotal role in modeling and reinforcing the character strengths that P2 promotes. They facilitate discussions that encourage critical thinking, guide students in making meaningful connections between character strengths and real-world situations, and create an environment where students feel safe to express themselves openly. By fostering a culture of positive relationships, educators are able to provide more personalized support, helping students develop self-awareness and confidence in their abilities.
Long-Term Impact of P2
The benefits of P2 extend far beyond the classroom. The program is preparing students not just for academic success, but for life. By internalizing the values of integrity, leadership, and empathy, students are developing the skills they will need to navigate future relationships, challenges, and opportunities.
At the Academy of St. Joseph, we believe that character education is not just about teaching students how to be good individuals today—it is about shaping who they will become in the years ahead.
We are confident that the lessons learned through P2 will stay with our students as they move on to new academic and personal experiences, equipping them with the foundation they need to thrive in any setting. By prioritizing character education, we are shaping a generation of students who understand the power of positive relationships and the impact they can have on the world. We look forward to the continued growth and success that P2 will bring to the Academy of St. Joseph.