186th Street Elementary, a PreK–5 school serving 619 students, has long been committed to peacemaking and positive school culture. Yet despite that focus, daily learning was still disrupted by student conflict, bullying, and disrespectful behavior—challenges made more complex by technology and social media that could quickly escalate peer issues. The school’s existing character curriculum felt outdated and hard to manage, leaving teachers without easy access to relevant lessons and materials. Leaders knew that without consistent, high-quality social-emotional learning, classroom behavior would keep getting in the way of academic instruction.

In Fall 2025, 186th Street Elementary adopted CharacterStrong to replace its previous character program with a more current, comprehensive solution that could be implemented at Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. With a digital platform, ready-to-use lessons, and professional development support, staff were prepared from day one. The principal wove CharacterStrong into the daily fabric of school life—tying morning announcements to a monthly trait, reinforcing themes during morning routines and breakfast, and hosting monthly “Fireside Chats” that linked traits to real behavior, expectations, and celebrations. In just one year, the school saw powerful results, including 97% fewer incidents where a student caused physical harm and 54% more students with strong attendance, alongside a culture where students can name their emotions and practice peacemaking in real time.

Read the full 186th Street Elementary case study to see the implementation details, specific data, and staff perspectives behind this shift—and what a similar approach could mean for your elementary campus.

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