Our students learn principles, not rules
At Royal Academia, we believe the soul of learning is in acquiring and living character-building virtues. Our Virtues Project is a truly special development program, unique in the field of education.

It creates a spirit in the school that is intangible but is still felt in every corner of every classroom. It crosses all cultures, races and ages -- students in Kindergarten are learning about a Virtue at the same time as the students in Grade 8

The power of our Virtues Project is that it creates an environment where every student feels safe, and secure from bullying, taunts, or negative language.

"Virtues and "Values"
Everyone is talking today about the loss of values in society and many schools are putting character development programs in place. Unfortunately, many of these programs are having poor results as they focus too much on "values." A value is not necessarily a desirable thing. By definition, it only means what we personally find to be important and useful. These programs also create a web of rules and escalating punishments.

At Royal Academia, we emphasize "virtue" - something that makes us all better citizens and serves society as a whole. We teach principles over rules.

The result: a child of character.

Living and Practicing Virtues
Our Virtues Project is the embodiment of our Mission Statement. It helps develop the Emotional Quotient (EQ) of the students who attend Royal Academia. You can think of it as character development plus!

Every month, students are presented with a topic and encouraged to fully grasp its meaning. Through discussion and practice, they learn first hand the power of virtue.

For example:

RESPECT

• Think about how you would like others to treat you and treat them with the same dignity.
• How would you like others to speak to you, treat your belongings and your right to privacy?
• If you want to use someone else's things, then take good care of them.
• Express even your strongest feelings in a peaceful way.
• Treat yourself as you feel others deserve to be treated. You deserve it too.
  

COOPERATION

• Being cooperative is being willing to go along in order to get along.
• We are respectful of the rules.
• We consider other people's needs.
• We look for ways to be helpful, and we ask for help when we need it.
• Cooperation helps us bring together the ideas of many so that a new idea can come to light.
• Working together, we can make any place a safe and happy one.

COMPASSION

• Compassion begins by noticing when someone seems sad or troubled.
• Put yourself in their place and ask how you would feel if it were happening to you.
• Think about how you can help.
• Take time to listen, and then say kind things like "What are you sad about?" and "How can I help?"
• Be forgiving when others make mistakes.
• Be a friend when someone needs a friend.….. and more……