NATIONAL CITY – The last place you might expect to find children displaying good character is on the playground during recess.
The schoolyard at Integrity Charter School, though, isn't a typical playground, teacher Maria Ocampo said.
RONI GALGANO / Union-Tribune
First-graders Marian Hernandez (left) and Elizabeth Guzman listened to a discussion last week in Melissa Wright's class at Integrity Charter School.
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Much to her delight, a student recently demonstrated that the “character education” the school tries to instill in its students is working.
When a fifth-grade boy, new to the 146-student campus, used foul language during recess, a schoolmate took control.
“He said, 'Here at Integrity we don't speak like that,' ” Ocampo said. “I was blown away. You feel this pride.”
As for the foul-mouthed boy?
“He was shocked and embarrassed,” Ocampo said.
Like other schools, Integrity Charter teaches the basic subjects. But at Integrity, students also get daily lessons in responsibility, respect, ethics and morals.
They learn not to tattle on classmates. Instead of naming names, they say, “Someone is doing something wrong.” When they disagree with someone, the students have learned to say, “I disagree with so-and-so because . . . ,” Ocampo said.
“I hear that language out on the playground,” she said. “They feel respected.”
Integrity, National City's lone charter school, is up for its charter renewal next month. Three years after it opened, enrollment has gone from 80 to 146. The school, which occupies the church basement of Apostolic Assembly of National City, serves kindergarten through sixth grade in classrooms that max out at 25 students.
Last month, students throughout the school focused on the Golden Rule – treating others as you want to be treated. Signs were posted in the room reminding students of the character trait of the month.
When students display any traits they have been taught, teachers reward them with integrity tickets. On Fridays, teachers draw tickets and give winners prizes such as pencils or pens.
Part of students' learning takes place outside the classroom, through community service projects such as this year's rummage sale. Children brought in used items from home and proceeds went to local charities.
Integrity's lessons seem to be working.
During a recent morning recess, 9-year-old Fredy Lugo took a break from his book “Who Was Harry Houdini?” to talk about how Integrity is different from other schools.
Before coming to Integrity, Fredy said, he was a bit more rude.
“If someone asks me what I'm doing, I won't say, 'None of your business,' ” Fredy said. “Now, I'll answer politely.”
Students come from as far as Spring Valley to take part in “character education,” something school director Sandy Dominguez says is lacking at mainstream schools.
“Public schools are different,” Dominguez said. “(Students are) a little less respectful of adults.”
Like public schools, charters are funded by the state. But they have more leeway than traditional schools. Teachers have more input when devising the curriculum and more say when it comes to the budget.
“Here, everyone is listened to and ideas are taken into consideration,” Ocampo said. “I have a say and a voice for my kids. I know that my kids will get what they need.”
During the past three years, Integrity pushed past such challenges as getting a student base, finding a school lunch provider and building a playground. Its state academic ranking has increased steadily and the school has impressed the National School District, which oversees its finances and special education needs.
“Frankly, they're doing a very good job,” said Ellen Curtin, district assistant superintendent for educational services. “They're very committed to this. Our trepidation going into this has certainly been mitigated. They've been a very responsible partner in this endeavor.”
If Integrity's charter is renewed, which the district's board of trustees are scheduled to decide next month it will last for five years.
Now that the school has the basics covered, Dominguez said she wants to build on the school's record of student achievement and moral character.
“I want to give the children an opportunity to be successful,” Dominguez said. “I want the junior high schools to say, 'Where did you go to school?' ”
Emely Armenta, a fourth-grader at Integrity, said the difference between children at her school and others is distinct.
“People aren't mean in this school,” Emely said. “And there's no gangs.”
The friendly environment is not an accident, first-grade teacher Melissa Wright said.
“Kids feel very safe,” Wright said. “We give students in National City another choice where they can be pushed a little higher academically.”
Tanya Sierra: (619) 498-6631; tanya.sierra@uniontrib.com
