MOULTRIE – Charlie A. Gray Junior High School has been named a Rising Star Campus by the organization Capturing Kids’ Hearts.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts Rising Star Campuses are recognized and celebrated for their exemplary progress and fidelity of implementation in year one of the CKH Journey. These campuses are nominated by their CKH Strategist for this distinction based upon the initial positive outcomes in campus culture and performance.
“Selection as a CKH Rising Star Campus is a great accomplishment and acknowledgment that the campus is on track for future recognition as a CKH National Showcase School,” said Janet Kingsley, senior leadership development strategist.
Fred Smith, principal, said, “It is truly an honor to be recognized as a Rising Star of Capturing Kids’ Hearts out of the 200+ schools in their first year of implementing the innovative skills and techniques to improve the school environment. CKH has positively impacted our school culture, and the investment in the program will be long-lasting as a fundamental practice of the day-to-day school operations at C.A. Gray. As we continue to develop our CKH skills in the coming school year, I can only envision our students and staff’s school experience being even better than ever.”
Capturing Kids’ Hearts provides professional support for schools to implement social-emotional well-being, relationship-driven campus culture development, and increased student connectedness. This national program is currently in more than 10,000 school districts, serving more than 5 million students and 50,000 educators. The school began implementing the Capturing Kids Hearts program after sending teachers, counselors, and administrators to a preview conference in the fall of 2022.
“Of the thousands of schools we train every year, it is rare to find a campus that implements CKH with such fidelity,” said Kingsley. “The data and evidence of impact that C.A. Gray has puts them in this elite group.”
Under the leadership of Smith, a team of C.A. Gray employees called the Process Champions, and with the support of CKH strategists, the school climate and positive student outcomes are increasing, the school system said. From 2023 to 2024, the percentage of students classified as “At Risk” due to failing grades, unexcused and excused absences, and the number of behavior events decreased by 5% after the initial CKH year.
Superintendent Dan Chappuis said, “We applaud Dr. Fred Smith and the dedicated team at CA Gray Junior High for their exceptional achievement as a Rising Star Campus for Capturing Kids’ Hearts. Their commitment to nurturing positive connections with students lays a solid foundation for cultivating a thriving school culture and enhancing academic success.”