Starr Commonwealth Creed

WE BELIEVE that there is no such thing as a bad boy.

WE BELIEVE that badness is not a normal condition but is

the result of misdirected energy.

WE BELIEVE that every normal boy will be good if given an opportunity in an

environment of love and activity.

WE BELIEVE in the dignity of labor. We believe that each child should be

given some work suitable to childhood and that he should be

taught that the value of labor is to be found, not alone in the

completed task, but in the training of the mind and the hand,

and in the joy of accomplishment.

WE BELIEVE also in play. Play is the child’s normal means of self-expression.

WE BELIEVE that to attain the full stature of man, spiritual development

should go hand-in-hand with physical, mental and moral

development.

WE BELIEVE that boys should be treated, not as a class, but as individuals,

and that each boy in order that he may reach his highest

development, must be understood. We hold that his ambition

must be stimulated and developed, and that he must be

encouraged and loved toward perfection.

WE BELIEVE that boys merit confidence and trust, and that the secret of the

development of honor in a boy lies in appealing to his inherent

goodness. In order that he may attain perfect manhood, we

believe in placing a boy on his honor at all times giving him the

sympathy and encouragement necessary to enable him to

maintain his integrity.

Written by Floyd Starr in 1913