Dauphin Junior High School
Fins Up Culture
Enterprise City Schools
Principal: Mr. Jonathan Booth
Superintendent: Dr. Zel Thomas
The F.I.N.S. Up Culture program at Dauphin Junior High School established a unifying framework, defining the values students need to thrive. Built on the pillars of Family, Integrity, Never Quit, and Service, the program transformed the school into a place of purpose. Through this initiative, “F.I.N.S. Up” transitioned from a simple phrase into a way of life. The Foundations Team led this change by creating clear expectations for shared spaces, including classrooms, the cafeteria, hallways, and restrooms.
The culture took root through teacher belief and daily modeling. By living out the Dauphin Way, staff members provided real-world examples of positive behavior, reinforced through WFIN news. Staff used a digital recognition platform to celebrate students who mirrored these values, leading to the Luke Belich Student of the Month award. Supported by the Dauphin Parent Action Team, this honor recognizes students for their character. From these nominations, Dauphin Representatives were chosen to serve as the face of the school, modeling leadership and pride. These efforts created a massive shift in student engagement and safety. This stronger culture paved the way for academic excellence, resulting in a state report card grade of 95 and a ranking as the #18 middle school in Alabama by U.S. News and World Report. The F.I.N.S. Up initiative did more than improve scores; it built a lasting community of excellence.
