Character Formation
Cherokee Classical Academy seeks to develop students in both mind and character. Students are expected to conduct themselves honorably in word and deed, to strive to live by the virtues, and to encourage others to do so as well.
Students start each day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Cherokee Classical Academy school pledge: I will learn the true. I will do the good. I will love the beautiful.
Teachers build relationships with the students by engaging them in conversations about the virtues and how one “does the good.” The aim is for students to learn to govern themselves. Teachers invest time and effort to help students form good and virtuous habits and ultimately to understand the true aim of self-government — which is to live well as citizens of a free society.
The school’s seven virtues are the guiding principles used to cultivate character.
Courage is the state of mind that enables someone to face danger or fear with confidence. Aristotle tells us that a courageous person will fear things but will endure them for the sake of that which is noble.
Courtesy is demonstrating good manners and displaying a willingness or generosity to show kindness and respect toward others. Courtesy contributes to a culture of kindness and civility on campus.
Honesty is derived from the Latin formulation integritas. Integritas means “intact” or the state of being whole and undivided—in other words, the truth and nothing but the whole truth. Aristotle wrote that an ethical person should not only be honest but should be a lover of truth.
Humility is the proper understanding of one's self. It is not thinking too highly, nor too lowly of one's importance or abilities. It is correctly understanding your position relative to others and fulfilling your role diligently and with joy. Humility, coupled with courage, is what gives us the ability to both forgive and ask forgiveness. As G.K. Chesterton once said, “Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.”
Perseverance means to steadfastly pursue a course of action or a purpose, often in the face of obstacles or discouragement. As the well-known poem reminds us: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again...if you will persevere, you will conquer, never fear...try, try again!”
Self-government is the ability to “rule over oneself.” As Socrates states in the Platonic dialogue, a man should be temperate, a master of himself, and ruler of his own pleasures and passions. Self-governance promotes a civil and orderly culture and leads to an increase in liberty for both individuals and societies.
Service is an active disposition toward assisting in the needs of, or promoting the welfare of, others. It is a willingness to stand with others in their need and to provide help, often to the point of self-sacrifice.