New Rankings: Best Public High Schools In Essex County New Rankings: Best Public High Schools In Essex County
New Rankings: Best Public High Schools In Essex County Niche has released its list of the best public high schools in America for 2025. The rankings are based on "rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Factors include teacher quality, high school ratings, college readiness, state test scores, and graduation rates (click here for more on methodology). Here are the top 10 best high schools in Essex County, according to Niche. 1. Millburn HS 2. Livingston Senior HS 3. STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges 4. Glen Ridge HS 5. West Essex HS 6. Science…
These NJ Public High Schools Were Named Among Best In America These NJ Public High Schools Were Named Among Best In America
These NJ Public High Schools Were Named Among Best In America Niche has released its list of the best public high schools in America for 2025. Several schools in New Jersey made the top 50, all of which earned an A+ from Niche. They are: No. 20: Bergen Academies, Hackensack No. 21: The Academy for Math, Science, and Engineering, Rockaway No. 37: Union County Magnet High School, Scotch Plains No. 43: High Technology High School, Lincroft No. 49: Marine Academy of Technology, Middletown Niche also ranks New Jersey's top public high schools. The top 25 best are: 25. Chatham High School 24. High Tech HS (Hudson County) 23. Middlesex County Academy for…
New Jersey, Meet Your 'Top Educator Of The Year' New Jersey, Meet Your 'Top Educator Of The Year'
New Jersey, Meet Your 'Top Educator Of The Year' Stefanie Lachenauer always puts her students first. Lachenauer, a civics and mindfulness teacher at Montgomery Upper Middle School in the Montgomery Township School District, earned the 2024-2025 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. She remains in the runnings for the national award. ALSO SEE: Top Educator In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties (Nominees) Lachenauer has taught at Montgomery Township for 18 years and her work has fostered socially conscious learners and has positively affected the health and well-being of both students and staff in the school district, the state Depart…
Girl Listed Targets Of NJ School Shooting 'To See How People Would React,' Police Say Girl Listed Targets Of NJ School Shooting 'To See How People Would React,' Police Say
Girl Listed Targets Of NJ School Shooting 'To See How People Would React,' Police Say A girl was taken into custody after police in New Jersey said she made a school shooting threat on social media "to see how people would react." Bridgeton police were made aware of the threat of a shooting at the Broad Street School on Thursday, Sept. 19, they said. "This threat was posted to Instagram and other social media applications," police said. "On the post there were many names listed as potential targets of the shooting." Following an investigation, police tracked down the girl who posted the threat and arrested her, they said. "It was learned during this investigation that the …
Custodian's Body Found At South Jersey Charter School, Classes Canceled Custodian's Body Found At South Jersey Charter School, Classes Canceled
Custodian's Body Found At South Jersey Charter School, Classes Canceled A South Jersey charter school was closed Wednesday, Sept. 18 after a custodian was found dead as staff arrived, according to authorities. The body was that of a woman maintenance worker at the Mastery High School on Erie Street in Camden, Dan Keashen, a spokesman for Camden County, said on Thursday, Sept. 19 as school reopened. Her body was discovered in the hallway around 7 a.m., he said.  The woman's name and age have not been released pending an investigation by Camden County Police and toxicology reports, Keashen said. Her death is not considered suspicious, he said. Calls to the …
Some Details Released In Threats Made To Lakeland Regional HS, Parents Slam Superintendent Some Details Released In Threats Made To Lakeland Regional HS, Parents Slam Superintendent
Some Details Released In Threats Made To Lakeland Regional HS, Parents Slam Superintendent Authorities have released details in connection to threats made against a Passaic County high school that had left parents and students fearful. Wanaque and Ringwood officers were called to Lakeland Regional High School on Sept. 6, following reports that a student was overhead "making a threatening statement about another classmate," Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wanaque Police Chief Ketih V. Spillane said Wednesday, Sept. 18. As a result, officers remained at the school for the day, as classes continued normally. Meanwhile, members of the Wanaque Police Departm…
Rutgers President To Resign At End Of School Year After Historic, Turbulent Tenure Rutgers President To Resign At End Of School Year After Historic, Turbulent Tenure
Rutgers President To Resign At End Of School Year After Historic, Turbulent Tenure Jonathan Holloway will resign as president of Rutgers University at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, the school announced. The university's 21st president will step down after finishing his fifth year in office on Monday, June 30, 2025, Rutgers said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The U.S. historian plans to take a sabbatical during the 2025-26 year for research projects before joining the Rutgers faculty full time. In a letter to the Rutgers community, Holloway said he made the decision to resign on his own and believes it's how he can best help the university. "Serving as th…
Officer Will Be In Every Atlantic City School: Should All NJ Districts Have This? (POLL) Officer Will Be In Every Atlantic City School: Should All NJ Districts Have This? (POLL)
Officer Will Be In Every Atlantic City School: Should All NJ Districts Have This? (Poll) Atlantic City has a police officer assigned to each school in its district, officials said. The city's government, police department, and school district agreed to put an officer in each K-8 school and two officers in Atlantic City High School throughout the 2024-25 academic year, the city said in a news release. The new officers were funded through a $3.75 million grant in the COPS Hiring Program. The school resource officers were assigned to their new schools on Tuesday, Sept. 10. "This is something city leaders discussed in the past, but none were able to get the job done until now," sa…
Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit The state-appointed superintendent for the Camden City School District is calling for the resignation of the advisory school board president amid sexual abuse allegations. Camden Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs, in a letter to the community, wrote: "In order to allow our community to heal and refocus on what truly matters—the education and future of our students— it would be in the best interest of the state-operated district of Camden City for Advisory Board President Wasim Muhammad to voluntarily relinquish his seat." "We are at the beginning of a new school year—a time that s…
Jersey City Catholic School Shutters Citing Declining Enrollment Jersey City Catholic School Shutters Citing Declining Enrollment
Jersey City Catholic School Shutters Citing Declining Enrollment A Catholic school in Jersey City announced last month it is closing down and will not reopen in the fall. The Archdiocese of Newark is closing St. Nicholas Catholic School, which serves students from Pre-K to 8th Grade, citing declining enrollment and increasing fiscal challenges. Several solutions were considered, including merging the school with St. Joseph School, but numerous teaching vacancies led to the decision to shutter it, the Archdiocese said. From September 2021 to June 2024, school enrollment declined 30%. In late July 2024, registration for the coming school year declined an …
Top Educators In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties Named Top Educators In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties Named
Top Educators In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties Named The New Jersey Department of Education has named the top 21 educators in the state. The department released the list of the 2024-25 New Jersey County Teachers of the Year on Tuesday, Aug. 6.  They are: Atlantic County: Carly Broomhead, Visual Arts Teacher at Emma C. Attales Middle School in the Absecon School District Bergen County: Margarita Diakos, Special Education Teacher at Ramsey High School in the Ramsey School District Burlington County: Margaret Fanourgakis, Health & Physical Education Teacher at Shawnee High School in the Lenape Regional Hi…
'I Like The F— Out Of You:' NJ Teacher Has License Revoked After Lewd Comments, Officials Say 'I Like The F— Out Of You:' NJ Teacher Has License Revoked After Lewd Comments, Officials Say
'I Like The F— Out Of You:' NJ Teacher Has License Revoked After Lewd Comments, Officials Say A New Jersey educator had his teaching license revoked on Thursday, June 27 after repeatedly making lewd comments to a student, officials announced. The State Board of Examiners revoked the license of East Orange English teacher Alim Hasan after he called a student "pretty", told her she smelled good, that she has a "grown woman scent" and that he "likes the f- out of her." The board said Hasan's comments "clearly demonstrate conduct that is unacceptable for a role model for a school children." "Such communications by a teacher to his student are completely inappropriate," the board w…
Columbia HS Principal Reinstated After Charges Dropped Columbia HS Principal Reinstated After Charges Dropped
Columbia HS Principal Reinstated After Charges Dropped Frank Sanchez has been reinstated as principal at Columbia High School after a grand jury declined to indict him on charges of child endangerment. Sanchez was reinstated at a South Orange-Maplewood School District Board of Education meeting on Thursday, June 27, on a 6-1 vote, with two board members abstaining. The charges against Sanchez stem from an incident involving a student in January at the school in the district, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said. The simple assault charges were referred to Maplewood Municipal Court, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said. Sanchez w…
Contract Of Newly-Hired NJ Schools Super Rescinded Days Before Start Date Contract Of Newly-Hired NJ Schools Super Rescinded Days Before Start Date
Contract Of Newly-Hired NJ Schools Super Rescinded Days Before Start Date Ramapo-lndian Hills Regional High School has rescinded the contract of its brand-new superintendent just days before he was set to officially take office. In its Thursday, June 27 meeting, the district's Board of Education voted 5-0-3 to rescind the contract of Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi, which would have gone into effect on July 1. On May 28, the Board voted 9-0 in favor of approving Tarchichi's contract. ALSO SEE: Ramapo-Indian Hills' New Superintendent Comes With 2 Doctorates, Plans For Vocational Programs RIH BOE President Kim Ansh was not immediately available to comment…
UPDATE: 'Inappropriate Comment' Temporarily Halts Distribution Of NJ School Yearbook UPDATE: 'Inappropriate Comment' Temporarily Halts Distribution Of NJ School Yearbook
Update: 'Inappropriate Comment' Temporarily Halts Distribution Of NJ School Yearbook A graduating Ramapo Indian Hills High School student intended "no harm or offense" with an "inappropriate comment" in the senior yearbook, the district's acting chief said Thursday night. According to parents, a graduating senior included an untoward reference to a Jewish Holocaust victim under his portrait photo. In response, Ramapo Indian Hills High School District Acting Supt. Dr. Melissa Quackenbush said officials were halting the distribution of the remaining yearbooks and were talking with the distributor about reprints. "Additionally, we are consulting with the Jewish Federatio…
NJ Town BOE Member Threatened Sup't In Trying To Reverse Son's Suspension, Ethics Board Finds NJ Town BOE Member Threatened Sup't In Trying To Reverse Son's Suspension, Ethics Board Finds
NJ Town BOE Member Threatened Sup't In Trying To Reverse Son's Suspension, Ethics Board Finds A school board trustee in Warren County crossed the line in trying to have her child's bullying suspension revoked, according to a state ethics board. Lisa Moyer, a member of the board of education in Allamuchy Township, violated several sections of the school ethics board, after her child was suspended for harassment, intimidation and bullying in 2022, the School Ethics Commission ruled. The board recommended Moyer be reprimanded for her actions in a ruling released in April. Moyer, however, says she was just trying to defend her son. Paperwork obtained by Daily Voice shows Moyer's son, 1…
Bergen County District Suddenly Terminates Super, Hires New One With Double Doctorates Bergen County District Suddenly Terminates Super, Hires New One With Double Doctorates
Bergen County District Suddenly Terminates Super, Hires New One With Double Doctorates Ramapo-lndian Hills Regional High School has hired a new superintendent. In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, May 28, the RIH Board of Education voted 9-0 in favor of approving Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi's contract, which goes into effect July 1. The board also voted 7-0 with two abstentions to terminate the contract of interim superintendent Dr. James Baker. When asked about the sudden termination of Baker's contract, the BOE declined to comment on personnel matters. The board also voted 5-4 in favor of appointing Dr. Melissa Quackenbush, the district's director of curriculum, to acting su…
Parents Fighting To Save North Jersey Catholic School Slated For Closure After 65 Years Parents Fighting To Save North Jersey Catholic School Slated For Closure After 65 Years
Parents Fighting To Save North Jersey Catholic School Slated For Closure After 65 Years After nearly 65 years, the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Wayne is closing its doors. But many of its families refuse to accept its fate, and are fighting to keep the school that has provided love and nurture to their children alive. "The school didn't need to close, and it didn't need to close in the manner that it did," said Judy Simon, who has three children at IHM, who opined that more could be done from a business and marketing perspective. "I feel that the Diocese of Paterson didn't do anything to stop it." Father Mateusz Jasniewicz shared details about the school's closing …
NJ District To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career NJ District To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career
NJ District To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career In his 31 years of leading school districts, East Brunswick Public Schools Superintendent Victor Valeski said he'd never had to craft a school budget as difficult as the one for 2024-25. There was an $7.8 million rise in costs and $1.3 million reduction in state aid in next year's school budget.  "This is by far the hardest and most impactful," Valeski told Daily Voice. A total of 51 staff members had to be eliminated, Valeski said. The cuts included 15 teachers, 10 instructional coaches, seven school counselors and the assistant superintendent of student activities and services. Th…
College Dropout TV Actor Returns To New Jersey University For Commencement College Dropout TV Actor Returns To New Jersey University For Commencement
College Dropout TV Actor Returns To New Jersey University For Commencement James Van Der Beek finally got his degree from Drew University. Van Der Beek delivered the commencement address at the Morris County university, receiving an honorary degree, years after the actor "deferred his education" to take the iconic role of Dawson Leery on "Dawson's Creek." The actor recalled his performance at a commencement as part of the 36 Madison Avenue a cappella group while he wondered might the future might hold. He told graduates to be careful of what you think you know- having thought his second audition for "Dawson's Creek" would be a waste of time. Van Der Beek also tol…
Quintuplets' Graduation From MSU Marks Bittersweet First For Close-Knit Siblings Quintuplets' Graduation From MSU Marks Bittersweet First For Close-Knit Siblings
Povolo Quintuplets Graduate Montclair State University Yes, you were seeing quintuple at the Montclair State University graduation on Monday morning, May 13. The Povolo quintuplets — Victoria, Ludovico, Ashley, Michael and Marcus — graduated from Montclair State University, the first time quintuplets have graduated from a New Jersey university.  The Povolo siblings earned degrees in five different majors.  Victoria: Biochemistry; minor Italian Ludovico:, Political Science, minor Pre-Law, Business Ashley:, English, Teacher Education Program, certification in P-12 Michael:, Nutrition and Food Science, concentration Dietetics Marcus:, …
Rutgers Failed To Listen To Pleas From Jewish Faculty, Students On Campus, NJ Congressmen Say Rutgers Failed To Listen To Pleas From Jewish Faculty, Students On Campus, NJ Congressmen Say
Rutgers Failed To Listen To Pleas From Jewish Faculty, Students On Campus, NJ Congressmen Say A pair of New Jersey congressmen have made an urgent request for Rutgers University to address the antisemitism and safety concerns raised for months by Jewish students on campus. In a letter sent Wednesday, May 8 to Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway, Democratic U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Donald Norcross said the university has a responsibility to ensure the safety and inclusion of all faculty and students on campus "after the administration appeased the demands of violent and hateful agitators." The lawmakers also demanded answers about whether the administration consulted…
Rutgers President Called To Testify Before Congress On Deal With Pro-Palestine Protesters Rutgers President Called To Testify Before Congress On Deal With Pro-Palestine Protesters
Rutgers President Called To Testify Before Congress On Deal With Pro-Palestine Protesters Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway has been called to testify before Congress later this month about his handling of pro-Palestinian protesters, authorities confirmed. U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina, the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, announced Monday, May 6 that she postponed appearances by the presidents of Yale University and the University of Michigan and scheduled Holloway and Northwestern President Michael Schill to speak on May 23. "Over the last several days, the presidents of Northwestern and Rutgers have made shocki…
'We Sang Zip-Tied And Handcuffed': Arrested Princeton Students Speak Out 'We Sang Zip-Tied And Handcuffed': Arrested Princeton Students Speak Out
'We Sang Zip-Tied And Handcuffed': Arrested Princeton Students Speak Out What Princeton University officials called a dangerous situation was described as anything but by student organizers. The 13 individuals arrested at the occupation of Clio Hall, home of the grad school at the Ivy League college, on Monday, April 29, have released statements. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (@princetondivestnow) In one, the students said they'd organized a "peaceful sit-in" in Clio Hall, accompanied by Professor Ruha Benjamin, acting as a legal and faculty observer. "Police arre…
Princeton VP Hints At More Arrests, Commencement Consequences Of Pro-Palestine Protests Princeton VP Hints At More Arrests, Commencement Consequences Of Pro-Palestine Protests
Princeton VP Hints At More Arrests, Commencement Consequences Of Pro-Palestine Protests Princeton University's vice president for campus life hinted at more arrests and graduation consequences in the ongoing pro-Palestine protests In a letter to students Tuesday evening, April 30. Thirteen pro-Palestinian protestors were arrested at the Ivy League college on Monday evening, April 29 after briefly occupying Clio Hall, home of the graduate school, university officials said. Those arrested at the school included five undergraduates, six graduate students, one postdoctoral researcher and one person not affiliated with the university, Princeton President Christopher …
Grad Hall Takeover: Pro-Palestine Protest At Princeton Ends In 13 Arrests, Officials Say Grad Hall Takeover: Pro-Palestine Protest At Princeton Ends In 13 Arrests, Officials Say
Grad Hall Takeover: Pro-Palestine Protest At Princeton Ends In 13 Arrests, Officials Say Thirteen pro-Palestinian protestors were arrested at Princeton University on Monday evening, April 29 after briefly occupying Clio Hall, home of the graduate school, university officials confirmed. Those arrested at the Ivy League school included five undergraduates, six graduate students, one postdoctoral researcher and one person not affiliated with the university, Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber said in a statement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (@princetondivestnow) …
Princeton Grad Students Arrested At Pro-Palestinian Protest (PHOTOS) Princeton Grad Students Arrested At Pro-Palestinian Protest (PHOTOS)
Princeton Grad Students Arrested At Pro-Palestinian Protest (Photos) Two Princeton University graduate students were arrested and barred from campus during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday, April 25, authorities said. The arrests came as pro-Palestinian student encampments are being set up on multiple university campuses nationwide. Various pro-Palestinian Princeton groups shared footage to social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PSL New Jersey (@pslnewjersey) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest …
Best Public High Schools In Essex County Revealed In New Rankings Best Public High Schools In Essex County Revealed In New Rankings
Best Public High Schools In Essex County Revealed In New Rankings Essex County is rife with top-rated schools. US News & World Report released its list of best high schools in the nation this week — and many of them are in Essex County. ALSO SEE: Best High Schools: New Jersey Well-Represented In New National Rankings The rankings were determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. Glen Ridge High School came in at No. 11 in all of New Jersey, and No. 1 for Essex County. According to US News & World Report, here are the top-rated schools in the county: No. 10: James Caldwell …
Best High Schools: New Jersey Well-Represented In New National Rankings Best High Schools: New Jersey Well-Represented In New National Rankings
Best High Schools: New Jersey Well-Represented In New National Rankings New Jersey is well-represented in brand-new rankings of the nation's best high schools. US News & World report released its annual list on Tuesday morning, April 23. The rankings were determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. Two New Jersey schools made the top 50 in the U.S: High Technology High School in Lincroft at No. 24, and Edison Academy Magnet School at No. 42. According to US News & World Report, The top 10 best high schools in the Garden State are: No. 10: Academy for Allied Health Sciences …
NJ Teacher Accused Of Touching Student In Hallway Slapped With Disorderly Persons Offense NJ Teacher Accused Of Touching Student In Hallway Slapped With Disorderly Persons Offense
NJ Teacher Accused Of Touching Student In Hallway Slapped With Disorderly Persons Offense A Marlboro middle school teacher accused by a parent of assaulting a student in the hallway has been slapped with a disorderly persons offense. On Friday, April 19, Jenna Sciabica, 38, was charged with one count of harassment-offensive touching, which is considered a petty disorderly persons offense, in connection with a March 13 incident, Marlboro police and online records say. Teacher Jenna Sciabica charged after inappropriate touching claim https://t.co/oR03iOdUtf — Avi Lehrer (@lehrer_avi) April 21, 2024 The incident involved "offensive touching over the clothes" in the hallway of …
NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge' NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge'
NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge' A student at an Essex County middle school was hospitalized on Tuesday, April 16, after he tried the "blackout challenge." Two students at South Orange Middle School took part in the dangerous stunt, popular on social media, which involves holding one's breath to the point of passing out, Lynn Irby Hill, the principal, said in a letter to parents. The first student passed out but was treated by the nursing staff, Irby Hill said. The second student had difficulty resuming breathing and was taken to a hospital by ambulance for further evaluation, Irby Hill said. Assistant Principal Jim Waldro…