May 22, 2025 – The Meramec Valley R-III School District is proud to announce that three of its schools have been certified as National Schools of Character by Character.org: Nike Elementary, Riverbend Middle School, and Zitzman Elementary. This prestigious national recognition highlights the district's unwavering commitment to foster a culture of character development among its students.
Nike Elementary and Riverbend Middle School were recently honored as 2025 Missouri State Schools of Character, building upon that success with this national certification. Zitzman Elementary received the State School of Character designation in 2024, and now joins this elite national group.
"We are incredibly proud to have Nike Elementary, Riverbend Middle School, and Zitzman Elementary recognized at the national level for their dedication to character education," said Dr. Carrie Schwierjohn, Superintendent of Schools. "This achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our MVR-III students, staff, and school communities in cultivating environments where positive character thrives and students are prepared to be responsible and compassionate citizens, which impacts academic achievement."
Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character development, certified 71 schools and 3 school districts as National Schools and Districts of Character today. Schools and districts applying for this recognition must meet the rigorous standards articulated in Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools: A Guide to Cultivating a Culture of Character, with each application assessed by a team of trained evaluators.
According to Dr. Arthur Schwartz, President of Character.org, “Each of these schools has put in place a comprehensive approach to help students understand, care about, and consistently practice the character strengths that will help them flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace, and as citizens.”
The Meramec Valley R-III School District is committed to continuing its efforts in character education, ensuring that all students develop the essential values and skills to succeed in life.
For more information about the National Schools of Character program, please visit www.character.org.