School of Character
Beginning in the 2019–2020 school year, Dover Middle School embarked on a journey to prioritize character education. Working closely with consultants from the New Jersey Affiliate of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NJASCD), DMS developed a Character Action Plan. The school’s leadership team then collaborated with key stakeholders—including staff, parents, and students—to establish a set of core values that would serve as the foundation for the school’s character education initiatives.
In 2020, in partnership with East Dover Elementary School, the Character Counts program was launched. Despite the challenges posed by 15 months of virtual and hybrid learning, this peer mentorship program—in which students in grades 6–8 teach elementary students lessons about important character traits—not only survived but thrived. Its success reflects the resilience and dedication of our school community. In 2023, Character.org recognized Character Counts as a “Promising Practice,” further validating these efforts.
Over time, Dover Middle School expanded its emphasis on social-emotional learning. Staff committed to becoming trauma-informed, engaging in intensive training to implement a three-tiered system of care focused on creating safe environments, providing early intervention, and offering intensive support for at-risk students and staff. As part of this work, the administration and staff participate in “The Power of Being Seen,” an initiative designed to help ensure that every student receives the attention and care they deserve. The program has remained a central component of our annual professional development and, in 2024, was also recognized as a “Promising Practice” by Character.org.
The school’s curricula and programming reflect a commitment to developing students of character. Lesson design incorporates the CASEL competencies and provides opportunities for students to exercise judgment and employ higher-level thinking skills. Life skills such as punctuality, collaboration, and accountability are emphasized daily. Disciplinary practices incorporate self-reflection and a focus on our core values, while school counselors facilitate conflict-resolution sessions and lessons on becoming upstanders. Tools such as the STOPit app, along with internet safety and monitoring platforms such as Gaggle and Securly, help reinforce a safe and supportive environment. Assemblies addressing topics such as neurodivergence and responsible decision-making further support our commitment to character development.
From the beginning of this journey, a shared vision among staff and administration—one that emphasizes shared leadership and empowers staff to design and adapt programming—has led to numerous school-based initiatives. These include service-learning and student-support programs such as the Care Closet, Student Ambassadors, Teacher-Student Mentoring, and Helping Hands. Other notable efforts include the creation of the Tigers’ Den Courtyard, the redesign of seventh-grade orientation, and expanded access to mental health resources, including therapeutic social workers and mental health clinicians.
To strengthen connections among the middle school, the district, and the broader community, DMS developed the “Getting to Know Dover” program. Twice each year, residents are invited into the school to meet with community leaders and organizations. We are also proud to partner with community-focused organizations such as nourish.NJ, the Garden Club, and the Optical Academy, which help our families access essential resources.
DMS’s focus on character was further strengthened with the creation of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Committee and the rollout of PBIS programming in 2024. After gathering input and data from a variety of stakeholders, the committee introduced the building’s new core values: R.O.A.R.—Resilient, Observant, Accountable, and Respectful. A pep rally and other student engagement activities helped build awareness of the new values. Staff recognize students weekly with R.O.A.R. cards when their actions exemplify one of these core values, and Students of the Quarter are celebrated for consistently demonstrating them.
Collaboration and open communication have been essential to the success and continued growth of our programs. Staff are regularly invited to provide feedback on the programming, climate, and culture of Dover Middle School. At the end of each school year, faculty and staff complete a MOLOSA survey, sharing what they would like to see “More Of, Less Of, and the Same As” during the following school year. Responses are carefully reviewed by the building’s leadership team and used to drive institutional change and continuous improvement. The MOLOSA Survey: Empowering Staff Through Open Feedback was recognized by Character.org as a 2025 “Promising Practice.”
As a result of these collaborative school- and community-based efforts, DMS was honored by Character.org as a 2024 State School of Character. With an eye toward the future and an ongoing commitment to continuous growth, Dover Middle School achieved an even greater milestone in 2025 when Character.org recognized DMS as a National School of Character.
