National Heritage Academies Focuses on Student Character Development

National Heritage Academies (NHA) emphasizes character development as a core educational component, aiming to help students understand the importance of making good choices. Elijah Martin, a sixth-grader at Pembroke Academy in Detroit, stated the "Moral Focus" program has helped him think before acting. His mother, Kimberly Martin, has observed positive behavioral changes, noting Elijah demonstrates control and compassion when interacting with younger relatives.

Pembroke Academy, an NHA-partner school, utilizes the organization's "Moral Focus" program to instill fundamental character traits. The curriculum teaches virtues such as self-control, compassion, and perseverance, designed to benefit students of all ages. NHA reports that over 15,000 parents participated in a satisfaction survey, with four out of five agreeing or strongly agreeing that the program positively impacted their child.

The "Moral Focus" program includes an annual contest where students illustrate how virtues influence their decisions through art and writing. Hundreds of submissions, including poems from Michigan students, were received. NHA states the program is research-based, progressing students through one virtue each month from September to May.

Classrooms dedicate three days weekly to "Moral Focus" lessons, integrating virtues into daily activities. Teachers connect the monthly virtue to curriculum content and student experiences. Morgan Faasse, NHA's Moral Focus Team Lead, explained the program aims to help students become confident, conscientious, and compassionate individuals, both in and out of school.