Elizabeth, N.J., February 10, 2023 – Terence C. Reilly School No. 7 was among 23 schools to be designated as a 2023 New Jersey School of Character by Character.org.

Character.org, founded in 1993 and formerly known as the Character Education Partnership, is a worldwide network of educators, researchers, and civic leaders that empowers people of all ages to practice and model the character strengths and core values that shape the hearts, minds, and choices of every person.

Each year, Character.org and its state affiliates select schools and districts that have developed and implemented an intentional, proactive, and comprehensive approach that embeds character into all aspects of school life. There were 73 schools and two districts in 13 states overall selected as state schools and districts of character for 2023.

"We are excited to announce today the 2023 State Schools and Districts of Character," said Dr. Arthur Schwartz, Character.org’s President. "Each of these schools and districts have put into place an initiative that equips and empowers their staff to reinforce and model a range of positive core values that will shape and form the hearts, minds, and choices of their students.”

The 23 schools selected as 2023 New Jersey Schools of Character are in the national evaluation process for consideration to be 2023 National Schools of Character. The National Schools of Character will be announced in May and honored at Character.org’s 30th Anniversary International Forum next fall in Washington D.C.

Elizabeth Public Schools is home to twelve district schools that have been designated as state schools of character, nine of which received national school of character honors as well. School No. 7, with its 2023 designation, became the third district school to have received State School of Character honors twice, previously earning the distinctions in 2018.

Past and present recipients include Nicholas S. La Corte-Peterstown School No. 3 (2016), which also received the National School of Character designation; Terence C. Reilly School No. 7 (2018, 2023), which also was named a National School of Character; Jerome Dunn Academy of Mathematics, Technology, and the Arts School No. 9 (2019); Victor Mravlag School No. 21 (2020); William F. Halloran School No. 22 (2020), which also received National School of Character honors;  Juan Pablo Duarte – José Julián Martí School No. 28 (2015, 2020), which also received National School of Character honors twice; Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29 (2019), which also was named a National School of Character;   Frances C. Smith Early Childhood Center School No. 50 (2019), which received State and National School of Character honors; Donald Stewart Center for Early Childhood School No. 51 (2016, 2021), which also received the National School of Character designation twice; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early Childhood Center School No. 52 (2020); Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy (2021), which also was named a National School of Character; and John E. Dwyer Technology Academy (2020), which also received the National School of Character honor.

School No. 7 will retain the NJ School of Character status for a period of five years, through 2028.

“Elizabeth Public Schools promotes social, intellectual, and physical wellness to create safe and caring environments for students and team members, and character education is an important part of that formula,” said Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer. “We want our students to achieve at high levels academically while also being caring, responsible members of their school community. The learning community of Terence C. Reilly School No. 7 has done an excellent job of emphasizing character in all they do and I am happy to see their hard word rewarded with this well-deserved recognition.”

“Congratulations to Terence C. Reilly School No. 7 for being selected as a New Jersey School of Character for the second time,’” said Elizabeth Board of Education President Iliana Chevres. “Having so many schools that have been selected as state and national schools of character shows how much our district is committed to developing respectful and upstanding young men and women who are instilled with the values and desire to make positive contributions to their schools and greater community.”