We are proud to announce the New Jersey schools that are being honored as part of the 2026 Schools of Character Program. We have 3 Emerging Schools, 4 Honorable Mention Schools, 18 State Schools of Character, and 12 National Schools of Character. All of the schools are using the 11 Principles Framework as a school improvement guide to bring character strengths, social emotional skills, and a positive culture and climate into their schools. The work they are doing benefits everyone in the school community. Congratulations to the following schools for attaining these honors…
New Jersey Emerging Schools of Character: Bellmawr School District, Bellmawr, NJ, Lisa Munoz Marin Elementary School, Newark, NJ, Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School, Somerset, NJ
New Jersey Honorable Mention Schools of Character: Academy Street Elementary School. Dover, NJ, Dorothy L. Bullock School, Glassboro, NJ, Thomas E. Bowe Middle School, Glassboro, NJ, Warren Middle School, Warren, NJ
New Jersey State Schools of Character: Alan B. Shepard Jr. Elementary School, Old Bridge, N, Burlington County Institute of Technology, Westampton Campus, Westampton, NJ, Carl Sandburg Middle School, Old Bridge, NJ, Caroline L. Reutter School, Franklinville, NJ, Donald Stewart Center for Early Childhood Education, School #51, Elizabeth, NJ, General Charles G. Harker School, Woolwich Township, NJ, Glassboro High School, Glassboro, NJ, Hillside Ele, Elizabeth, NJ, Kindergarten Success Academy, Roselle, NJ, Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School, Keyport, NJ, Pioneer Academy, Wayne, NJ, PS 20-Dr. Maya Angelou Elementary School, Jersey City, NJ, Raymond E. Voorhees Elementary School, Old Bridge, NJVirgil I. Grissom Elementary School, Old Bridge, NJ, Woodmont Elementary School. Pine Brook, NJ and Woodrow Wilson Middle School, Edison, NJ
National Schools of Character: Alan B Shepard Jr. Elementary School, Old Bridge, NJ, Burlington County Institute of Technology, Westhampton Campus, Westhampton, NJ, Camden County Technical Schools, Glouchester Campus, Sicklerville, NJ, Carl Sandburg Middle School, Old Bridge, NJ, Central Elementary School, East Hanover, NJ, Donald Stewart Center for Early Childhood Education, School #51, Elizabeth, NJ, Helen A. Fort Middle School, Pemberton, NJ, Hillside Elementary School, Livingston, NJ; Katherine Johnson, Doroth, Keyport, NJ, Virgil I. Grissom Elementary School, Old Bridge, NJ, and Woodmont Elementary School, Pine Brook, NJ
Recognition Ceremony: There will be a virtual recognition ceremony to honor these schools on Thursday, May 21 at 10 AM. They keynote speaker will be Dr. Phil Brown, the founder and past president of NJASECD. The ceremony is open to all who would like to attend and celebrate the accomplishments of these schools. You can access the ceremony by clicking HERE!
