Across the Griggs affiliate network, schools may look different, serve different communities and reflect different cultures. Yet there is something that connects every Griggs affiliate: a shared commitment to Dignity, Honor, Respect and Integrity.

These four Key Values are at the heart of the Griggs educational philosophy. They are not simply words to display in a classroom or concepts to discuss during a lesson. They are intended to shape the way students learn, communicate, make decisions and interact with the people around them.

Before we meet new students or welcome returning students back, we work with our schools on the Griggs Ethos and Culture. This training emphasises a holistic approach in which the Key Values are developed through content, character and culture. When these three areas work together, students are given both an understanding of the values and opportunities to demonstrate them in everyday school life.

上海宏润博源学校建设上海项目

SHBS Building Shanghai Project

The true measure of a value is not whether a student can define it, but whether they can demonstrate it.

Dignity begins with recognising the worth of ourselves and others.

Students demonstrate dignity through good manners, appropriate behaviour, self-respect and positive relationships. It can also mean having the confidence to be themselves rather than simply following trends, being open to self-discovery and developing a strong sense of personal identity. The Griggs training connects dignity with deportment, self-presentation, self-awareness and positive relationships with family, friends and the wider community.

陵水精英外国语高级中学格里格斯高中学生

JIA Griggs High School Students

Honor is demonstrated when students recognise and appreciate the achievements of others and achievements of oneself.

It means acknowledging contributions, being willing to recognise our own mistakes and appreciating parents, teachers, classmates and the wider community. It means developing an international mindset and understanding different cultures and the lessons that can be learned from history. Honor also means doing what is right, acting with integrity, and holding yourself to high standards. It comes from within and motivates you to take responsibility, make good choices, and strive for excellence.

上海宏润博源学校 Nice2cu社团获奖

SHBS Nice2cu Club Wining an Award for their Project

Respect is more than simply being polite.

Students demonstrate respect when they listen to others, consider their needs and look for opportunities to contribute. Giving their time and talents, serving others and supporting those who may be less able or fortunate are all ways students can put respect into action.

上海宏润博源学校学生

SHBS Students 

Integrity is often most visible when nobody is watching.

Students demonstrate integrity when they act honestly, maintain their principles, make thoughtful decisions, align deeds with words and take responsibility for their actions. Integrity means considering the consequences of our choices and having the conviction to do what is right.

陵水精英外国语高级中学格里格斯高中学生

JIA Griggs High School Students

These ideas are reflected in the wider Griggs student profile of Seekers of Knowledge, Affirmers of Values and Changers of the World. Griggs describes these students as people who actively pursue knowledge, critically consider what they learn and then use their abilities to make a positive contribution.

One of the strengths of the Griggs approach is that the Key Values do not need to be artificially added to every lesson. The Ethos and Culture training emphasises that they should be woven naturally and meaningfully into the learning experience.

This means values can be demonstrated through ordinary classroom interactions.

A student shows Dignity by allowing a classmate to make a mistake without embarrassment.

A student shows Honor by celebrating another student's success or recognising the contribution of a group member.

A student shows Respect by listening when someone else is speaking and giving others the opportunity to express their ideas.

A student shows Integrity by completing their own work honestly, acknowledging mistakes and making good decisions even when nobody is checking.

The Griggs training provides a practical example of this through value-focused classroom expectations: honouring others' dignity, respecting time and effort, following directions with integrity, respecting others' voices, participating positively,  caring for shared resources, and demonstrating self-discipline by taking responsibility for learning, staying focused, and continually working towards personal progress.

广州市中黄港澳子弟学校格里格斯高中老师和学生

ZWIS Griggs High School Teacher and Student

There is an important difference between following a rule and understanding the value behind the rule.

A student who listens because they are afraid of being corrected is following a rule.

A student who listens because they understand that other people's voices deserve respect is developing character.

A student who completes work because they have to is meeting an expectation.

A student who refuses to copy because they understand the importance of honesty is demonstrating integrity.

A student who says congratulations because they have been told to is following an instruction.

A student who genuinely celebrates a classmate's success is demonstrating honor.

This is why education across Griggs affiliates extends beyond academic content. The Griggs approach recognises the educator's responsibility to develop character and ethos, with school systems and expectations supporting students as they develop and display positive character traits.

广州市中黄港澳子弟学校格里格斯高中STEM活动

ZWIS Griggs High School STEM Activity

The Griggs curriculum has long been based on the belief that academic learning and character development should work together. Across the international affiliate network, schools maintain their own local identities while providing a shared Griggs educational experience.

That means the way the four Key Values are expressed may look different from one country, school or community to another.

But the underlying principles remain the same.

We want Griggs students to respect themselves and others, recognise the achievements of those around them, contribute to their communities and make honest, ethical and thoughtful decisions.

We do not simply want students who know what Dignity, Honor, Respect and Integrity mean.

We want students who live them.

Because character is revealed in the everyday moments:

The way we speak.
The way we listen.
The way we respond.
The way we treat others.

The choices we make when no one is watching.

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