Hersey High School named RULER Spotlight School
John Hersey High School has been named a 2026-28 RULER Spotlight School by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, recognizing the school’s work to support emotional intelligence among students and staff.
Hersey is one of a select group of schools worldwide to receive the two-year designation. The recognition is given to schools that have successfully implemented RULER, an approach developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
RULER focuses on five emotional intelligence skills: recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing and regulating emotions. More than 5,000 schools across 33 countries use the approach.
“We are deeply honored to accept this recognition from RULER and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence on behalf of John Hersey High School,” said Alvin Lewis, division head for Career/Technical Education and Physical Education. “Our mission extends beyond academic instruction; we are focused on developing well-rounded, emotionally intelligent human beings who will positively impact whatever community they choose to join after leaving Hersey.”
Hersey introduced RULER to ninth grade students during the second semester of the 2025-26 school year. This year, it has expanded to a full-year program for freshmen, with elements of RULER also being used throughout the school.
RULER concepts are incorporated into Physical Education classes and reinforced through Student Services sessions with students across all grade levels. Staff also receive professional development through Engage U training.
Lewis credited Katie Fontanetta and Hersey’s freshman PE teachers with helping lead the work. Fontanetta has developed class charters, building-wide Meta-Moments and classroom lessons that give students opportunities to use RULER strategies throughout the school day.
Lewis said he has already noticed changes in how students and staff talk about emotions, including the language they use and a greater awareness of how their own behaviors, attitudes and words can affect others.
Hersey plans to continue building on the work through staff professional development and eventually expand RULER practices to include more opportunities for families and the broader community.
As a RULER Spotlight School, Hersey will also have the opportunity to share its work with other schools during the two-year designation and partner with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.
“I’m proud to welcome this new cohort of RULER Spotlight Schools,” said Marc Brackett, Ph.D., founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. “Creating emotionally intelligent communities takes courage, innovation and real commitment to showing up for each other. This group has done that work, and it shows.”
Lewis said the recognition represents the work of many people across Hersey and District 214, including teachers, student services staff, building and district leadership, the superintendent’s office and the board of education.