Caliber Schools is a nonprofit charter school in Richmond, California that focuses on character development and personalized learning through technology. The school integrates character building into its curriculum through frequent class discussions about traits like self-management and perseverance. Teachers promote restorative justice, mindfulness, and positive behavior to reinforce good conduct. Each student has a personalized learning plan where teachers evaluate their strengths in key character areas such as self-regulation, relationship skills, and decision making.

1. The Caliber Schools Learning Model
- Positive Character Development
By Pete Briger

2. Introduction
• A public, nonselective charter school based in Richmond,
California, Caliber Schools provides an innovative, enriching
learning environment for a diverse student population. The
nonprofit charter management organization heavily integrates
technology into its blended learning model, placing a strong
focus on computer literacy, and its teachers work to create a
personalized learning experience for each student.
In addition to focusing on core academic competencies that
will enable students to succeed in higher education, Caliber
Schools views character as a critical element of student
success. It integrates character-building activities into its
curriculum with the goal of inspiring traits, such as self-
management and perseverance, that will serve students well
in their collegiate careers.

3. Positive Character Development
• Caliber’s character-building curriculum involves frequent
class circles in which students and teachers discuss specific
examples of admirable character traits. Teachers promote
concepts such as restorative justice and mindfulness, in
addition to employing Positive Behavior Interventions and
Supports, or PBIS, to reinforce appropriate school conduct.
In addition, each Caliber student’s personalized learning plan
includes teacher evaluations of his or her personal strengths
in several key character areas, including self-regulation and
motivation, relationship skills, and responsible decision
making. Teachers also evaluate and encourage students’ social
awareness, helping them to develop an understanding of bias
and prejudice while learning to embrace diversity.