And helping one another build character.
That's what Carusi is all about, and the school is getting recognized for it.
It was recently named a National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership in Washington-based. It is the region's sole national winner this year and one of seven Philadelphia-area schools to receive the honor since 1998.
On Tuesday, Mayor Bernie Platt is expected to issue a congratulatory proclamation at a special assembly.
Carusi has long had character in its curriculum, but about five years ago, students and staff started working to infuse it into all aspects of the school experience, according to principal Kirk Rickansrud.
"We had the character education," he said. "We didn't have the character culture."
It didn't take long for that to change.
Two years ago, the partnership gave Carusi an honorable mention. Last year, the school was lauded as a state school of character. And now, the national accolade.
On any given day in the school's advisory periods, students and teachers explore issues such as peer conflict, relationships, and social and family concerns.
"I think our faculty does an amazing job working [with students] to help them understand the differences in each other," said teacher Theresa Wisniewski, who is on the school's character education committee. "They celebrate those differences."
Character education is also woven into core curriculum.
In science, there is discussion of ethics and research, she said. In math, students work as partners. In gym, inclusion and mutual support are stressed.
Each of the school's sixth, seventh, and eighth grades is divided into "houses" of about 100 students. Each house works with its teachers on character-focused projects.
