McDonogh’s Cultivating Character program serves as the cornerstone of character education for our youngest students, from prekindergarten through fourth grade. Rooted in McDonogh’s Character Compass values of respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness, and service, this homegrown curriculum provides a cohesive and intentional framework for shaping character development through literature, discussion, art, and hands-on experiences.

Funded by a summer grant, the program’s essential planning takes shape long before the school year begins. Each year, a dedicated team of educators work collaboratively to keep the curriculum both engaging and age-appropriate. Together, they select meaningful books that bring values to life through storytelling; prepare background information and guiding questions to spark thoughtful conversations; design activities and crafts that make abstract ideas tangible; and identify morning meeting activities that reinforce lessons in a joyful and memorable way. The team also creates accessible resources for teachers so that Cultivating Character time can remain focused on what matters most…connection.

First Grade teacher Jill Alperstein, who has helped mold McDonogh’s character education for more than a decade, shares, “The summer grant provides teachers the time and space to approach the curriculum with depth, intentionality, and heart. The grant not only funds our planning, but it is also a direct investment in the character development of every young Eagle and a meaningful part of the Lower School experience.”

JJ Di Monte ’26 believes McDonogh is the best thing to happen to him—largely due to wrestling and the unwavering support of his coaches Pete Welch and Josh Fitch '08. As a freshman, JJ found it hard to adapt to a new school, but with the guidance of his coaches, he saw the true spirit of McDonogh’s community, and before long, he was thriving.

In addition to improving significantly as a wrestler, JJ developed academically and personally. The discipline he learned on the mat translated to the classroom. Determined to push his limits, he began waking early to read or complete assignments, and by his junior year, he was earning straight A's.

JJ’s growth has gone beyond academics; he is also a respected community member. He received two awards for character: the Blanche A. C. Wells Award and the Louis E. Lamborn Award, and was also named one of McDonogh’s first sophomore wrestling captains. Now, in his final year at McDonogh, he continues to be a leader on the wrestling team and is one of 12 seniors selected by their peers to join the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Leadership Program.

At the heart of JJ's journey is a simple piece of advice, given to him by Coach Welch, that shapes the way he interacts with the world: Say hello and smile at everyone you pass. You never know when you might brighten someone’s day.

"If there is one thing I've learned about McDonogh throughout my time since the fourth grade, it is that there is a 'yes' culture. As I began to embark on the journey of exploring what set me apart as a student and person, no avenue I followed was ever halted by a door in my face. On the contrary, my momentum was propelled by every "yes" I received. 

"McDonogh not only welcomed me as a scholarship student and provided a strong education spearheaded by passionate staff, but the School also allowed me to go after my dreams. In my nine years as a student, McDonogh went above and beyond so I could pursue my passions while striving for academic excellence. I could walk confidently throughout my daily life, making genuine connections rooted in the identity that I was discovering as I followed my interests. 

"I realized the School's capacity for nurturing all of its students to pursue their distinct endeavors, and I believe that McDonogh's greatest trait is its ability to support students' journeys so each one develops into a perfectly unique individual. I am always astounded as I reflect on the range of people who attend McDonogh with varying aspirations, yet all leave knowing so much more and being one step closer to their goals."

Ruth Elias was the student speaker at the Gratitude Dinner: A Celebration of Scholarship and Endowment Giving in April 2025.