Sixteen New Jersey schools have earned the Character.org “National Schools of Character” designation, according to a news release from the New Jersey Department of Education.

“The educators, students, and stakeholders in these 16 schools should be commended for making character a priority in their educational community,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education. “Character education efforts foster growth that brings about positive change in the school and throughout the community.”

The 16 New Jersey schools that recently received this recognition were among 67 recipients nationwide. The New Jersey Schools of Character include:

CountyDistrict/CommunitySchool
BurlingtonCinnaminson Township Public SchoolsCinnaminson Middle School
BurlingtonBurlington County Special Services School

District

Burlington County Alternative High School
CamdenCherry Hill Public SchoolsA. Russell Knight Elementary
CamdenCherry Hill Public SchoolsJohn A. Carusi Middle School
MercerHamilton Township Public SchoolsMcGalliard Elementary School
MercerHamilton Township Public SchoolsMorgan Elementary School
MiddlesexMetuchen School DistrictCampbell Elementary School
MonmouthMillstone TownshipMillstone Township Middle School
MonmouthRed BankRed Bank Charter School
PassaicWest Milford Township School DistrictMaple Road Elementary School
PassaicWest Milford Township School DistrictUpper Greenwood Lake Elementary School
SomersetNorth Plainfield School DistrictNorth Plainfield High School
SomersetNorth Plainfield School DistrictSomerset Intermediate School
UnionRoselle Park School DistrictErnest J. Finizio Aldene Elementary School
UnionRoselle Public School DistrictHarrison Elementary School
UnionRoselle Public School DistrictWashington Elementary School

For over 20 years, Character.org, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., has promoted nurturing and supportive school climates by certifying schools and districts as National Schools of Character.

The New Jersey Alliance for Social, Emotional, and Character Development, which is the state affiliate of Character.org, supports New Jersey schools to become accredited as state and national Schools of Character. Their efforts have greatly contributed to New Jersey leading the nation with the highest number of Schools of Character over the past five years.

For more information on this year’s Schools of Character, contact Character.org.