The Choose Love Formula: A Pathway to Growth
The Choose Love Formula integrates Courage, Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Compassion-in-Action to foster resilience and emotional intelligence. These foundational skills are not only teachable but also measurable, providing students with the tools they need to thrive in all areas of life. By embedding these principles into education, we create environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. The earlier these skills are taught, the more profound their impact, leading to a generation equipped to handle life’s challenges with grace and empathy.
Choose Love Movement programs are built on a simple premise: the skills that protect people from turning toward violence and despair can be taught – in schools, home, and communities.
Here is what the evidence shows, and what happens when those skills take root.
The Science Behind The Choose Love Movement — Proof Our Programs Work
How Choose Love for Schools Changes Classrooms
In our 2025 Educator Survey of teachers and school staff who use Choose Love for Schools:
These results are consistent with the only peer-reviewed study of Choose Love for Schools conducted directly — a University of Arkansas study that documented measurable change in students and staff within weeks of implementation, even in a high-needs alternative school setting.
Perryman, Kern Popejoy & Conroy, 2020, Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy & Evaluation
Educators are often the first to see a child struggling — and among the least equipped to respond. K–12 teachers have the highest burnout rate of any profession in the United States. (Gallup, 2022)
Choose Love for Schools gives them a framework that addresses the crisis they're witnessing every day — and in doing so, it changes the conditions of school life for everyone in the building.
Choose Love for Schools, By the Numbers
The Research Behind the Approach
Most prevention programs wait for warning signs. The research says that’s too late.
2 in 5
High schoolers in the U.S. experience persistent sadness or hopelessness, underscoring the need for emotional support. (CDC, 2023)
2023
58%
Of active shooter cases had visible warning signs, highlighting the importance of early intervention. (Jones et al., 2024)
2024
+11% Academic Achievement
Character development programs lead to significant academic gains, proving their long-term benefits. (Durlak et al., 2011; Taylor et al., 2017)
2017
2x Likelihood of College Success
Strong social skills in kindergarten double the chances of earning a college degree. (Jones, Greenberg & Crowley, 2015)
2015
Expanding Beyond the Classroom
Core Principles of Choose Love
The Choose Love Movement’s core principles are not confined to the classroom. They extend to homes, community centers, and entire states, fostering environments where essential life skills are prioritized. By teaching Courage, Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Compassion-in-Action, we empower individuals across various settings to break the cycle of violence and build a foundation for lasting peace and resilience.
Recognized. Adopted. Proven.
Choose Love for Schools has been selected by policymakers, adopted by entire states, and featured by some of the most trusted voices in the country.
Statewide Adoption in New Hampshire
In 2018, New Hampshire became the first state to adopt the Choose Love for Schools program statewide, integrating it as a core strategy for violence prevention.
Featured in National Media
The Choose Love Movement has been highlighted by major media outlets such as The Oprah Podcast, The New York Times, and TODAY, showcasing its impact and importance.
Policy Recognition
Policymakers across the nation have recognized Choose Love for Schools as a vital component in educational and safety strategies, further cementing its role in shaping future generations.
