Horizons Christian Academy

We start teaching, demonstrating and expecting character in preschool and will maintain a weekly rotation of character traits throughout the year. In elementary school we add additional character traits and add further traits in middle school.

“Moral excellence (character) comes about as a result of habit.” Aristotle

Methodology

Our primary vehicles for teaching discipline and character are in Chapel and Methods class. The disciplines and character traits will then be reinforced in the classroom. We will proceed prayerfully through the disciplines because we are after a change of heart not just a change in behavior. Our approach is based on knowledge (knowing what is right) and action (doing what is right) which is based on a careful study of character development:

1. We will use character and anti-character studies from the Bible, history, literature, and current events.
2. We realize we have a personal responsibility as staff to demonstrate character and discipline before our students. We will also bring in people of character for testimonies as appropriate.
3. Further opportunities for discipline and character training will be carried out through special community projects and daily class routine.
4. Character will be expected. We will reward good character but children must learn to demonstrate character because it is right and not because it is rewarded.
5. On occasion students will need proper discipline as part of modifying improper behavior. Again, our emphasis is not on punishment but rather on creating the habit of doing right.
6. Our school-wide discipline policy and responsibility and independence guidelines are included in the student handbook.

Studies have proven that character and discipline are more critical to success as adults than educational regimes or IQ. Character and discipline may seem easy enough to teach at home or by way of church. While the home and church are central to character and discipline training, we have already discussed that it is a matter of habit. Children spend eight or more hours a day at school, five days a week. This is often more time than they spend at home and church. During that time, habits are being solidified in concrete mostly before a child reaches middle school. We believe our environment and intentional approach is critical to developing the “Christian leader” in your child.