Case Study: Gray Middle School reduces fights and builds belonging with CharacterStrong

Gray Middle School cuts annual fights from 100 to about 5 with CharacterStrong

Gray Middle School was facing a significant challenge with its school culture, including frequent fights, student apathy, and inconsistent leadership. To address these issues, the school partnered with the vendor CharacterStrong to implement its CharacterStrong program with fidelity, aiming to build a stronger sense of belonging and improve student behavior.

The solution involved a schoolwide implementation of CharacterStrong lessons, beginning with an assembly on the first day of school to set a new tone focused on community and expectations. Led by a new principal, the program emphasized proactive character education. The results were dramatic; by mid-November, average red flags per grade dropped from 25 to 2 and annual fights decreased from 100 to about 5. The successful implementation by CharacterStrong created a calmer, more supportive environment where students could thrive.

Gray Middle School