Our Model

Friends of Nick develops and delivers character-building programs in partnership with inner city middle schools, beginning with the Archdiocese of New York. Focused on the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade levels, our program works with students, parents, principals and teachers to develop character building-programs and encourage meaningful conversations within the classroom and family.

We work with students to introduce a common character language into the classroom.  Students explore and commit to critical character strengths, such as “courage,” “integrity,” “compassion”, “friendship” and “perseverance”.  Fifth, sixth and seventh grade students focus on the connection of character words to curriculum through Literature, Language Arts and Social Studies. These lessons are expanded upon in the eighth grade as students participate in a 30-week program of journaling and class discussions, with in-class teacher partnerships.

We work with parents in a unique and interactive way, partnering with middle schools to engage parents in “conversations that matter.” Through our innovative series of workshops, take-home materials, social gatherings and leadership seminars, Friends of Nick encourages parents to participate in character-focused conversations with other parents and their children. Parents’ participation and engagement is crucial, as it bridges the gap between the classroom and home and further enriches the child’s character development and the school community.

We work with principals and teachers to lead with character and to develop an ongoing partnership with parents.  We encourage principle-centered education in connection with the school’s character. Principals and teachers become effective partners in students’ character development. Teachers gain a profound understanding of their students and the impact of character concepts at work in their classroom and schools.