How It Works for High School
Building Stronger Cultures Through Character & Relationships
High school is a critical time for students as they develop identity, independence, and readiness for the future. The Positivity Project (P2)’s high school character ed helps build a stronger culture by giving students and staff a shared language of character strengths and positive relationships.
Why Character Ed Matters in High School
The high school years shape how students see themselves and their future. Yet without an intentional focus on relationships and character, many teens face declining motivation, disconnection, and lack of empathy.
P2 addresses these challenges by:
- Providing a shared Tier 1 language for character and relationships across all grades.
- Creating leadership opportunities so more students have a chance to lead.
- Strengthening student motivation, engagement, and resilience.
- Helping schools build a positive culture that lasts.
How Implementation Works
Every high school is unique. That’s why P2 offers flexible implementation models—so you can choose the approach that works best for your schedule, staff, and students. Schools begin by creating a small leadership team that may include principals, counselors, teachers, and student leaders. P2 provides training, planning tools, and ongoing coaching to make implementation simple and sustainable.
Flexible Models for Delivery
No matter the model, the key is consistency. Whether daily or weekly, students build habits through regular engagement with P2 lessons.
Advisory-Based Lessons
10–15 minute lessons during advisory blocks.
Core Content Integration
Character strengths taught in P.E., health, or woven into other core subjects.
Elective Course Integration
A semester-long class focused on character and leadership.
Leadership Team or Club
Students drive school-wide events and initiatives.
Hybrid Approach
A combination of strategies tailored to your school.
Building School-wide Culture
P2 goes beyond the classroom—it becomes part of the heartbeat of the school. Schools bring character and relationships to life through:
- Morning announcements highlighting the weekly strength.
- Kick-off assemblies and school-wide events.
- Hallway posters, locker decorations, and visual reminders.
- Student-led clubs and leadership initiatives.
- Recognition programs for students and staff.
When character strengths are visible across campus, the school culture shifts—students feel supported, connected, and motivated to lead.
Learn More About P2’s Research and Impact
Supporting Educators & Families
P2 is designed to make life easier for educators, not harder. With ready-to-use resources, training, and PD, staff can focus on what matters most: building connections and character.
- For Staff: P2 offers kickoff training, monthly check-ins, quick guides, and ongoing professional learning.
- For Families: P2 for Families (in English & Spanish) provides simple weekly resources connected to each strength, plus newsletters and event ideas to bring learning home.
Impact on Attendance, Behavior, and Culture
Across 40 schools in Clovis Unified School District, implementing P2 district-wide led to remarkable shifts in student experience. Schools saw fewer behavior referrals, more student-led conflict resolution, and an attendance boost—with kids eager to come to school even when under the weather. A consistent character language also took root, strengthening both peer and family connections across grade levels.
What Success Looks Like
High schools across the country use P2 to:
- Improve student leadership and engagement.
- Build a more positive, supportive culture.
- Create a community where character strengths are part of everyday conversations.
As one high school administrator, Peggy Gordon, shared:
“We have watched kids transform again and again, from disrespectful to respectful, from challenging to cooperative, and from ungrateful to grateful, just by modeling appropriate behavior, sharing learning experiences, and using character strengths to build relationships.”
Overall, The Positivity Project is an irreplaceable piece in my high school. It has done more good for our students than I could say here today. Even when you think a student may not be invested in The Positivity Project, I can assure you they are noticing the lessons and taking them into their own hands and implementing them into their daily lives. High school students need positivity in their life just as much as the elementary and middle school students in our county, and we can always be taught, no matter at what age, the ways in which we can improve our emotional and mental health.
Karen Hollar
Director of Student Health and Wellness
Cabarrus County Schools
Get Started
Every high school is different—but the path to stronger culture and relationships begins the same way: with a plan.