BAYVILLE – Central Regional High School and Central Regional Middle School have been named Gold Level Jostens Renaissance Schools of Distinction for 2025, recognizing their efforts to foster a positive and inclusive school climate.
The distinction celebrates schools that successfully apply the Jostens Renaissance formula—Respect + Recognize + Reward + Reinforce + Relationships—to improve culture and student engagement.
Since joining the district in January 2024, Superintendent Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder has prioritized school climate, emphasizing that every student should feel “loved, seen and heard.” Staff members—collectively known as “staffulty”—have embraced the philosophy, creating a culture of support, encouragement and belonging.
“Our staffulty at both schools has built an outstanding culture and climate where students feel like they belong, are supported and encouraged, and can thrive academically and socially,” CarneyRay-Yoder said. “This achievement is a tribute to their hard work, but the real winners are the students.”
The gold-level recognition is one step below platinum, the highest Jostens honor. Only 140 schools across North America earned the designation in 2025. Central Regional schools were honored at the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference in Chula Vista, Calif., in July.
In a separate honor, Central Regional School District was named a 2025 District of Distinction by District Administration for its mental health and wellness initiatives—the only New Jersey district to receive the award.
More information is available at
jostensrenaissance.com/2025-schools-of-distinction
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