About the program
Started in 1998 by one school.
Now in 8,800+ schools across 49 states.
WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads of Great Students) began in 1998 in a single school and has since grown into a nationally recognized program that has brought over a million fathers and father figures into school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of in-school volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process.
Our mission
Support principals and teachers by providing willing volunteers while contributing to improved outcomes for students.
The WATCH D.O.G.S.® program has two primary goals.
Provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
Provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security, reduce bullying, and provide a greater sense of campus safety, allowing students and teachers to focus on learning and instruction.
We provide training content, support materials, uniform apparel, and other promotional items for your campus community. The program has been designed and developed by educators, experts, and parent and guardian volunteers over more than two decades.
How the program works
Three benefits, every day a dad shows up.
Students gain positive male role models
By taking time to come to campus and serve the students and teachers, fathers demonstrate that education is important. A male role model can positively impact a student's life in three critical areas: academic performance, self-esteem, and social behavior.
Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears
The presence of a father or father figure provides an additional deterrent to bullying, enhances a sense of security in the building, and helps create an environment conducive to learning.
Fathers gain greater awareness of challenges
Fathers learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today's youth are facing. As a result, they can learn to relate better to their student and hopefully connect with them.
The program has been featured by
Recognition
Endorsed by federal agencies, the National PTA, and major news outlets.
Feb 7, 2000
Congressional Record (page S392)
Recognized as a great tool in our efforts to prevent school violence and improve student performance.
Nov 17, 2008
ABC World News Tonight
Featured story on the WATCH D.O.G.S. program.
March 2010
President's Advisory Council
Endorsed in the Council's report to the White House.
June 2011
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
Visited a WATCH D.O.G.S. program in the Washington, D.C. area.
Sept 12, 2012
NBC Nightly News
National feature on the program.
Feb 11, 2013
NBC's Today Show
Featured segment on dads in schools.
Ongoing
U.S. Department of Education + U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Recognized federally as a model family-engagement initiative.
Founding
National PTA's M.O.R.E. Alliance
Founding member of Men Organized to Raise Engagement.
What people say
Public officials, principals, and police officers, on the program.
“Your model is so simple it can work in rural America, inner-city America, any place.”
“Fathers have an important role to play. Engaged fathers strengthen schools, mentor and tutor students, and demonstrate that they value their children's education.”
“We had over 110 dads at the very first kick-off in a school with 240 kids.”
“Most of the time when I see a dad it's because there's a problem. We want WATCH D.O.G.S. dads to be able to come to school when there's not a problem, when it's a positive solution.”
8,800+
Schools
Spanning every region of the United States plus Canada, Italy, Germany, and Japan.
2 million+
Father figures
Have served on campus since 1998, creating millions of hours of in-school volunteer time.
1
Day at a time
Most volunteers serve a single day per school year. Many sign up for more once they have done it.
The WATCH D.O.G.S.® mark is a registered trademark. Read the brand-use policy for what is allowed and what needs HQ approval, or contact us with questions.
WD Schools
The participating campuses, by the numbers.
8,800+ schools have launched the program since 1998 across all 49 U.S. states plus Canada, Italy, Germany, and Japan. Every campus running the program is an official WD School, with a Top Dog Coordinator team and a calendar of volunteer days that fit the academic year.
Find your school on the homepage program lookup by entering its passcode (the format is two-letter region code plus four digits, e.g. AR1001). If you cannot locate your campus, call HQ at 1-888-540-3647 and we will help.
Para información en español, llame al 1-888-540-3647 o escriba a info@dadsofgreatstudents.com.
En español
¿Necesita información en español?
Llame al 1-888-540-3647 o escriba a info@dadsofgreatstudents.com. Nuestra guía de implementación, los materiales de entrenamiento, y los pósters del programa están disponibles en español.
For Spanish-language support, call HQ at the number above or email info@dadsofgreatstudents.com. The implementation guide, training materials, and program posters are available in Spanish.
For Every Student Across America.
See how a program runs.
The fastest way to feel what the program does is to read the how-it-works overview or look at a sample program page.