Elementary school is an ideal starting point for laying the foundation and training for character education, but it has proven very effective at the other levels too. You can easily find evidence in the journeys of New Jersey schools. The four middle schools that were named 2007 New Jersey Schools of Character-Carl W. Goetz Middle School, Jackson; Memorial Middle School, Fair Lawn; Robert R. Lazar Middle School, Montville; Rosa International School, Cherry Hill-all have highly structured peer mediation and anti-bullying initiatives that have been pivotal in improving school culture.

Equally successful has been Cranford High School, Cranford (2004 National School of Character) whose emphasis on service-learning and on core values resulted in improvement in both discipline and academics. Call or visit these schools as well as Montclair Kimberley Academy, Montclair, a private co-educational PreK - 12 independent day school named a 2003 National School of Character.