In March of 2000, Kimberly Middle School made a long term commitment to something called character education. Character education, at its best, is NOT a program or the latest educational fad. If you were to look up the word "program" in an education dictionary I think you might find a picture of a frustrated teacher beside the word. The definition might read as follows, "Something that will take a significant amount of time, energy, and money and within two to three years will be laid to rest in the program cemetery." Effective character education is a proactive, intentional, and unified approach to emphasizing positive character traits in our school and ultimately in our community. We have strategically established our character education plan to ensure it will stand the test of time. Character traits such as respect and responsibility are integrated into the existing curriculum, incorporated into all of our rules and policies, and are the guiding principles of our school motto "Mutual Respect, Mutual Responsibility."

Our entire staff have received some excellent professional development and some have even trained with the top character educators in the world. A very important part of that training includes the fact that the PARENTS are the primary educators of the children, followed by the family's religious faith (if applicable). The school has a responsibility (by state law) to support the families in the emphasis of positive character traits and the development of responsible citizens. At Kimberly Middle School, we don't believe "some schools are doing character education and some aren't." Character education is an inherent part of schooling. The only issue is whether the school acknowledges that fact and decides to be unified, intentional, and proactive. It is the most cost-effective piece of any school improvement plan helping provide the best teaching and learning environment possible.