This Toms River School is a National ‘School of Character,’ Organization Declares

Toms River High School East. (Credit: TRRS)

A school in the Toms River Regional district has been declared a national “School of Character,” it was recently announced.

Character.org, an organization that advocates for “integrity, honesty, respect, and other core ethical values to be fused into education,” gave the title to Toms River High School East, making it one of just 23 schools statewide and 80 across the entire country to earn the ranking.

“We understand that the culture and the climate is the cornerstone of all organization,” said Superintendent David Healy.

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Healy said he’s worked to ensure that each school in the district to places a focus on “morality, honesty, fairness, responsibility, creativity and respect” are engrained in the overall culture. Character education is infused through morning announcements, programs and instruction and in the “many other programs and activities we’ve initiated within all of our schools.”

Statewide, two school districts were named “Districts of Character” – New Providence and Cherry Hill.

“Although, I firmly believe that all of our schools are worthy of such an honor, I am pleased that at least one of them was recognized as one of the schools that is leading the nation in character development,” said Healy.

Districts and individual schools of character are those which “demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development that has a true positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate,” the organization said in a statement.

“We are not only proud of this honor, but believe it is an affirmation of the many efforts of our board of education, administration, faculty and staffs, parents, and most notably our children have made throughout our great school district,” said Healy.