Leadership & Character

Leadership development is a cornerstone of the Charlotte Preparatory School experience. Effective leaders possess specific character traits and personal skills, so those elements are woven into Charlotte Prep’s program and culture, from Early School through Eighth Grade.

Leadership

• Students in all divisions learn the importance of living by the school's Pillars of Leadership: Respect, Integrity, Perseverance and Courage
• Public speaking is an important component of the Charlotte Prep program, and at each grade level, students present to their classes on a regular basis. Each grade level also participates in at least one drama or musical production every year.
•  As part of the Middle School leadership curriculum, students learn about presenting oneself, including interview skills like shaking hands properly, appropriate dress, eye contact, and asking thoughtful questions. These skills set our students apart as mature and poised adolescents.
•  Charlotte Prep's program teaches the importance of effective communication skills, including communicating honestly, openly, and persuasively.
•  The leadership curriculum emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself -- including one's own interests and strengths. It teaches personal goal-setting, as well as accomplishing goals through teamwork.
• The Middle School's Advisory Program gives students a forum for exploring their thoughts and feelings, and having honest communications about the issues they confront. Adolescents learn how to confront interpersonal issues with tact and respect.

Character Education

• In Early School, Montessori lessons include grace and courtesy, instilling in even our youngest students an understanding of how to treat one another. Teachers also work with children on the developmental understanding of one’s own feelings, as well as the feelings of others.
• All Lower School classes participate in a planned character education curriculum, which employs age-appropriate lessons to examine a different character trait each month.
• Charlotte Prep implements a one-of-a-kind mentoring program, called the BUD-E Program (Be Understanding, Dedicated and Energetic). Every student in grades TK – 8th grade is paired with a buddy on another grade level, with whom s/he meets two-three times each month for community service, character education and teamwork exercises. Younger and older students take turns leading the exercises
• Charlotte Prep students participate in classroom, division-wide and school-wide service learning projects throughout the year.
• Charlotte Preparatory School implements an Honor Code school-wide: "As a CPS student I promise to respect my school community by not lying, cheating, stealing, or plagiarizing on any school assignment. I promise to be fair, respectful, and honest in everything I do. I will always do my best to be a part of the community and accept others."