At Ballenger Creek Elementary School the theme is "CHARACTER COUNTS! Every Day." Since introducing CC! to the school, referral rates have been cut by more than 50 percent, incidences of violence are rare and attendance averages are in the upper 90th percentile.

As part of its CC! program, the school has organized and hosted two Walk/Run fundraisers for the needy. The Frederick Keys Baseball organization hosted two nights at the ball games where students participating in CHARACTER COUNTS! programs were recognized in front of the crowd prior to the game. The Keys also distributed free tickets to Frederick County students who are peer mediators.

Thanks to a creative physical education department, CHARACTER COUNTS! for Ballenger Creek Middle School students too. After much brainstorming, they decided to turn their gym wall into a "Road to Good Character." On one side of the wall is a starting line, and on the other side is the finish at the "Coliseum of Character." After every three week unit teachers select students who have displayed exemplary character. Their names are placed on a sneaker and moved along the road. Students chosen once are in the bronze area, those chosen twice are in the silver area, and those who display good character for an entire nine-week term make it to the finish. Certificates are awarded to commemorate each step along the road, and a group picture of the "gold" students is submitted to the local newspaper.