School Spotlight: Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus

Monday Matters Helps Freshman Students Own Their Story

At Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus (Vestavia Hills City Schools), character development is an important part of preparing students for the rest of their high school journey. With students feeding into the Freshman Campus from two middle schools and spending just one year there, school leaders see a unique opportunity to help freshmen build relationships, discover their strengths, and develop the skills they need to thrive. Their approach is centered on a simple but powerful theme: “Own Your Story.”

To bring that theme to life, the school’s Character Action Team created Monday Matters, a monthly, schoolwide gathering that brings students and faculty together to explore the school’s core values and spark meaningful conversations about character. Rather than relying on standalone character lessons, the team wanted to create an anchor experience that teachers could reference throughout the month in advisory and classroom conversations.

Student leadership is at the heart of Monday Matters. While adult speakers share their stories, students open the program, reflect on core values, facilitate games, and introduce speakers and performers. Peer Helpers even write their own scripts, gaining experience speaking and leading in front of their peers. As Principal Bill Mann explained, “Students are capable of leading meaningful experiences when given the chance to do so.”

The results have reached beyond the monthly assemblies. During professional development focused on Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework, teachers identified Monday Matters as an example of how the school brings multiple principles of character education to life. At the end of the year, when students were asked to share what they loved about their Freshman Campus experience, many named Monday Matters. Their responses affirmed that students value opportunities to lead, connect, and have a voice in shaping their school community.

The program also reinforces the school’s four core values, unity, service, perseverance, and independence, each emphasized during a different quarter of the year. Through stories shared by speakers from inside and outside the school, students see how these values show up in real life. From supporting causes bigger than themselves to navigating setbacks and pursuing goals, students are reminded that character is not simply something to learn about; it is something to choose and practice.

The Freshman Campus team believes two things make Monday Matters especially meaningful: consistency and authentic stories. Gathering on the first Monday of every month keeps character conversations visible and makes them part of the school’s culture. And when teachers and community members share personal experiences, students see how character shapes everyday choices, relationships, and accomplishments.

The Hope Institute celebrates the Freshman Campus for creating meaningful opportunities for students to lead, grow, and take ownership of their choices. Monday Matters is a reminder that when students are given a voice and a meaningful role in shaping their school culture, they can do more than participate, they can help make their community better.