The Meramec Valley R-III School District and several of its schools have earned 2026 Promising Practice recognition from Character.org for initiatives that support character development, leadership, and student success.
Character.org recognized 290 Promising Practices worldwide this year. The designation honors schools and organizations that successfully bring character to life and align with one or more of Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools.
Within MVR-III, Pacific High School earned three recognitions, Coleman Elementary School earned one National Promising Practice recognition, Zitzman Elementary School earned one recognition, and the district earned an overall recognition for its “Bridging the Future” practice.
The district’s Bridging the Future kindergarten and senior walk ceremony was recognized for strengthening connections across generations of students and reinforcing a lifelong sense of belonging within the school community.
Pacific High School received recognition for Tell Me Something Good, a schoolwide initiative that celebrates students and staff who demonstrate the school’s core values; The Dressroom, a community-supported resource that provides professional and formal attire to students for academic events, interviews, and special occasions; and Lunch Buddies, a positive peer-to-peer relationship program where student council members eat lunch with essential skills special education students.
Coleman Elementary was recognized for its Motor Lab Spot, a structured space that uses purposeful movement activities to help support student regulation, emotional coping skills, and overall well-being. Zitzman Elementary earned recognition for Student Navigators: Creating Belonging Through Student Leadership, a student-led program in which fourth-grade leaders welcome and guide new families during high-transition moments such as summer school and the start of the school year.
“These honors reflect our district’s commitment to developing strong character alongside academic achievement,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ketina Armstrong. “We are proud to see the work happening across our district recognized on a national level once again.”
The recognized practices highlight MVR-III’s continued focus on leadership, relationship-building, and preparing students for success both inside and outside the classroom.
To learn more and view the full list of honorees, visit Character.org.