Character Education
Leading from who you are, where you are, is not only an opportunity at The Summit, it is the expectation.
Our students are planted firmly in the charism of Saint Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. St. Julie proclaimed by her life and by her words that God is good. In fact, it is that goodness that emboldens us to act on behalf of justice and peace in our world. To do so requires character, therefore character education is the heart of our Notre Dame learning community.
To be clear, character education is not a "program" here at The Summit. It is who we are. Children graduate with an internal ethical framework which governs how they live their lives.
Our Leaders of Character curriculum is embedded throughout the school and focuses on three behaviors that contribute to personal development: Serves God, Builds Community, Grows Self. During their Summit education, students are guided to cultivate 14 attributes that shape well-rounded individuals who are positioned to succeed in a complex world. These attributes impact a child's overall wellness by addressing their spirituality, their role within a community and their personal growth.
As students progress through the grades, they are challenged to understand and internalize these 14 attributes within three areas of personal development:
Serves God
As Leaders of Character rooted in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, we demonstrate that God is good by taking time to grow in our faith, pray and reflect; giving thanks and giving back; modeling integrity; and prioritizing the common good. In Grade 2, Grade 7, Grade 11 and Grade 12, a Leader of Character is:
Grows Self
We educate for life and understand that Leaders of Character seek continued growth, which entails knowing ourselves and our God-given gifts, taking responsibility for our words and actions, managing our time and our stress, opening ourselves up to new ideas, learning from our mistakes, and embracing the creative process. In Montessori, Grade 3, Grade 6 and Grade 10, a Leader of Character is:
Builds Community
We create community among those with whom we work and serve by being considerate, honoring the dignity and sacredness of each person, seeking to include others, cooperating with each other, and clearly articulating ourselves. In Grade 1, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 8 and Grade 9, a Leader of Character is: