LA Unified has 787 schools, and CharacterStrong is proud to support students and educators in 513 of them. Across the district, educators are using CharacterStrong to help students build the language, skills, and relationships they need to thrive in school and beyond.

At Plummer Elementary School, Melissa Arceo, Psychiatric Social Worker, shared how CharacterStrong supports one of the most common challenges schools face:

“One of the things that we deal with is behavior. CharacterStrong helps with the fact that we’re giving the students the language. We’re teaching them the skills.”

Those skills include responsibility, empathy, kindness, honesty, cooperation, and resilience — the everyday habits that help students work together, solve problems, and feel connected to their school community.

Santiago, a 5th grade student at Plummer Elementary, described the impact in simple terms:

“It teaches you how to be responsible, empathy, kind, honest.”

Giving Students a Shared Language

Across LA Unified schools, CharacterStrong is helping educators create a common language around behavior, relationships, and belonging. Instead of only responding to challenges after they happen, staff are teaching students how to name emotions, practice cooperation, show empathy, and make positive choices.

This shared language is especially powerful because it gives both students and adults a consistent way to talk about character and community. Whether students are learning how to work together, repair harm, or support a classmate, CharacterStrong gives them the tools to practice those skills every day.

At Plummer Elementary, that work has translated into meaningful implementation and results, including:

• 1,028 CharacterStrong lessons facilitated
• Physical harm incidents dropped by 75%

Supporting the Whole Student

CharacterStrong is also helping LA Unified educators respond to a wide range of student needs, from behavior and attendance to mental health and bullying prevention.

At Owensmouth Continuation High School, Principal Emily Bautista shared:

“Any intervention, whether it’s a behavior intervention, an attendance need, mental health, I was able to find a resource for it.”

That access to practical resources helps schools respond more consistently and intentionally when students need support. For educators, CharacterStrong offers tools they can use not only in classrooms, but also as part of broader schoolwide systems of care.

Clara Herran, Principal at Olive VIsta Middle School noted a positive shift in student experience:

“We’ve seen a reduction… in the number of students that feel like they’re being bullied.”

At Olive Vista Middle School, the video highlights that behavior incidents decreased by 46%, showing how intentional character development and relationship-building can contribute to a stronger school climate.

Strengthening Student Voice and Teamwork

At 186th Street Elementary School, Principal Aguilar said the difference he sees is:

“Walking into rooms, you feel a lot more freedom in student speech in the classroom."

That freedom in student speech reflects a school environment where students feel more comfortable participating, collaborating, and using their voice. CharacterStrong’s focus on cooperation helps students practice working together toward shared goals, building habits that support both academic learning and peer relationships.

The video also highlights a major attendance gain at 186th Street Elementary, where strong attendance increased by 54%.

Keeping Students on Track Toward Graduation

At Owensmouth Continuation High School, the focus is on helping students stay connected to school and move toward graduation.

Emily Bautista, Principal at Owensmouth Continuation High School, shared:

“Owensmouth High School is a continuation high school. We’re really committed to our students being successful and being able to graduate.”

For students navigating challenges outside of school, belonging and resilience are essential. CharacterStrong helps create the conditions for students to feel supported, build coping skills, and stay engaged in their education.

Principal Herran shared in the video:

“If we can try and build up their resiliency, build up their ability to cope, the doors open.”

Measurable Improvements Across LA Unified Schools

In just one year, the video highlights meaningful shifts across featured LA Unified schools using CharacterStrong:

• 1,028 lessons facilitated at Plummer Elementary School
• Physical harm incidents dropped by 75% at Plummer Elementary School
• Strong attendance increased by 54% at 186th Street Elementary School
• Behavior incidents decreased by 46% at Olive Vista Middle School
• Educators reported fewer students feeling bullied
• Classroom referrals dropped
• Students showed more freedom in classroom speech, teamwork, and participation

A Foundation for Belonging, Resilience, and Student Success

CharacterStrong is helping LA Unified schools support the whole child by giving students the skills students need to manage their emotions & learn healthy tools for conflict resolution

Across elementary, middle, and continuation high school settings, educators are seeing how a shared focus on character can strengthen belonging, improve behavior, support attendance, and open doors for student success.

By helping students practice responsibility, empathy, kindness, honesty, cooperation, and resilience, CharacterStrong is supporting LA Unified schools in creating safer, more connected learning communities where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally

Looking for LAUSD-specific resources? Explore our free resources, including sample lessons aligned with LAUSD’s Competencies.

Want to learn how CharacterStrong can make a different at your school? Request a customized quote with our team here to get started today!