Dunbar Middle School has introduced a new House Point System, modeled after the approach used at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. The initiative aims to boost school pride, leadership, and student connection through friendly competition.
All students participated in a quiz to be assigned to one of four houses: Protos, Amistad, Isibindi, or Altruismo. Each house is composed of students from all grade levels, encouraging interaction and collaboration among 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
Points are awarded for acts such as kindness, leadership, school pride, and academic engagement. The competition resets every nine weeks. At the end of each period, the house with the highest score receives a reward; this quarter’s winning group will take a field trip to Winterplace for tubing.
School leaders emphasize that the program’s focus extends beyond earning points. “It’s about learning about pride, pride for our school. It’s about learning about teamwork,” said Dunbar Middle School Principal Abby Siggers.
The launch event featured house reveals, cheers, and an inflatable slide as students learned their chants and met their teammates. Eighth-grader Khalis Wiley commented on the new experience: “I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun and having to connect with other grades because we’ve never done anything like that.”
The House Point System reflects Dunbar Middle School’s broader effort to foster a supportive environment that promotes leadership and academic success.
The Ron Clark Academy is recognized nationally for its teaching methods and emphasis on positive school culture. Educators from around the country visit to observe strategies focused on academic achievement and teamwork.
More information about the kickoff event can be found in coverage by WSAZ (https://www.wsaz.com/2025/10/17/new-school-incentive-encourages-good-behavior-teamwork/) and additional photos are available on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KCSWV).
