Eighteen Lawton Public Schools sites have won 2026 Promising Practice designation from Character.org.

The organization’s designation is intended to celebrate schools that bring character to life within their school community, by highlighting the meaningful impact of their work and alignment with the Principles Framework for Schools, organization officials said.

In Lawton Public Schools, those programs range from drawing the community into efforts to encourage reading, to ensuring pre-kindergarten students get recognition and a great start to each school day, to efforts that encourage positive relationships by pairing special education students with classmates outside the program.

Lesa Sparks, LPS executive director of elementary education, said Promising Practice recognition is important because it validates the intentional work within schools to build positive, student-centered cultures rooted in strong character and meaningful relationships.

“This recognition signifies that the school or district is implementing innovative and effective practices that are making a measurable impact on students, staff, families and the broader community,” Sparks said.

“For the school or district, this recognition represents more than an award – it is a reflection of a culture that prioritizes the whole child, supports positive relationships and creates an environment where students and staff can thrive. It also highlights the district as a leader in educational excellence and character development, serving as a model for other schools and communities seeking to create lasting, positive change.”

Lawton Public Schools campuses that received the designation and their programs are:

Almor West Elementary: Character Ambassadors

Brockland Learning Center: Bright Bison Beginnings

Carriage Hills: Building Character Every Morning

Cleveland Elementary School: Caught You SOARing

Crosby Park: ET Time (Everyone Together Time)

Edison Elementary: Soaring to Excellence!

Eisenhower Elementary: The General’s Way Promising Practice

Freedom Elementary: Battle Buddy

Hugh Bish Elementary: Hugh Bish Cares

Learning Tree Academy: Bee-You-tiful Behavior Tickets program

Life Ready Center: Stories That Shape Us, Life Ready Center Community Big Read

Lincoln Elementary: A Golden Life at Lincoln

MacArthur Middle School: Unified Partners Club

New Horizons Learning Center: Scissortail Star

Pat Henry Elementary: Put Your Best PAWS Forward

Pioneer Park Elementary: Panther PATH Practice

Sullivan Village Elementary: We’re All in This Together

Whittier Elementary: Whittier Wake-Up