Mahwah High School
Encyclopedia
Mahwah High School is the four-year comprehensive
public high school
serving students from Mahwah
, Bergen County
, New Jersey
, operating as the only high school of the Mahwah Township Public Schools
. The school is accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education
and has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Secondary Schools since 1962.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,019 students and 76 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.41.
magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 68th in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was ranked 46th in the magazine's 2006 rankings.
In the 2011 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post
, the school was ranked 70th in New Jersey and 2,033rd nationwide.
. Delays in starting the work meant that the initial set of classrooms would not be available until November 1958, with completion of the 1,200-student capacity facility due for February 1959. Before the buildings opened, the district rented space from Ramsey High School, with Allendale and Mahwah students who had already started in the Ramsey district remaining there until graduation. With the opening of the high school, the Mahwah district's elementary schools were changed from K-8 to K-6, with the new high school serving students in grades 7-12.
In May 1963, voters in Allendale and Upper Saddle River
approved a referendum to create Northern Highlands Regional High School
, with the expenditure of $3.65 million to build a facility on a 40-acre site, with plans to complete the building in time to start classes in September 1965. The Northern Highland school building, completed at a cost of $4 million, was dedicated in February 1966.
The first all-Mahwah graduating class was in 1967.
The present school building was constructed in 1984 with three floors on the site of the original school, with an addition completed in "March 2005" (along with the expansion of Ramapo Ridge Middle School), according to a plaque in the new wing.
In Fall 2009, the Freshman Advisory, a full year freshman transition program, was implemented. Freshman Advisory is a required course for all freshman students, and it is taught by upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) and supervised by the high school faculty. The following topics are addressed: study and organizational skills, time management, coping skills, peer pressure, Habits of Mind, and college/post-secondary planning.
, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry
, AP Computer Science
, AP Economics
(includes one semester of macroeconomics and one semester of microeconomics), AP English Language and Composition
, AP English Literature and Composition
, AP European History
, AP French, AP Music Theory
, AP Physics
, AP Psychology
, AP Spanish
, AP Statistics
, AP Studio Art
, AP Psychology
and AP US History. In the 2009-10 school year, 128 students participated in Mahwah High School's AP course offerings, taking a total of 258 examinations that year of which 87% achieved a grade of 3 or higher.
, following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
. Prior to the 2010 realignment, Mahwah was one of the member schools of the Bergen County Scholastic League
, competing in the American Division.
Sports listed with an asterisk (*), although they are technically two teams that compete and score separately, usually practice and have their events with each other.
in the BCCA Lacrosse Championship 10-6 to win a county title in only its second year of varsity existence.
in the NJSIAA Group II state finals, with a final score of 3-1. The team had made it to the 2009 NJSIAA Group II State Finals, before losing 2-1 in overtime to Haddonfield Memorial High School
.
Additionally, freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior class activities are offered.
in 2010.
Comprehensive high school
Comprehensive high schools are the most common form of public high schools in the United States and are meant to serve the needs of all students, as compared to the common practice in other nations in which examinations are used to sort students into different high schools for different populations...
public high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
serving students from Mahwah
Mahwah, New Jersey
Mahwah is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 25,890. The name Mahwah is derived from the Lenni Lenape word "mawewi" which means "Meeting Place" or "Place Where Paths Meet".The area that is now Mahwah was...
, Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, operating as the only high school of the Mahwah Township Public Schools
Mahwah Township Public Schools
The Mahwah Township Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade from Mahwah, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....
. The school is accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
and has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
Commission on Secondary Schools since 1962.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,019 students and 76 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.41.
Awards and recognition
The school was the 56th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey MonthlyNew Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly is a monthly glossy publication featuring issues of possible interest to residents of the United States state of New Jersey...
magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 68th in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was ranked 46th in the magazine's 2006 rankings.
In the 2011 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, the school was ranked 70th in New Jersey and 2,033rd nationwide.
History
Construction on the $3.25 million campus-style facility began in August 1958, with 13 buildings spread out over 20 acres of the 62 acre property to accommodate 600 students from Mahwah and AllendaleAllendale, New Jersey
Allendale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,505.Allendale was formed on November 8, 1894 from portions of Franklin Township, Hohokus Township and Orvil Township at the height of the Boroughitis phenomenon then...
. Delays in starting the work meant that the initial set of classrooms would not be available until November 1958, with completion of the 1,200-student capacity facility due for February 1959. Before the buildings opened, the district rented space from Ramsey High School, with Allendale and Mahwah students who had already started in the Ramsey district remaining there until graduation. With the opening of the high school, the Mahwah district's elementary schools were changed from K-8 to K-6, with the new high school serving students in grades 7-12.
In May 1963, voters in Allendale and Upper Saddle River
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
Upper Saddle River is an affluent borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,208. It is not to be confused with the neighboring borough of Saddle River.-History:...
approved a referendum to create Northern Highlands Regional High School
Northern Highlands Regional High School
Northern Highlands Regional High School is a regional public high school and school district in Allendale, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. The school serves students in grades 9–12 from Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River, and Upper Saddle River...
, with the expenditure of $3.65 million to build a facility on a 40-acre site, with plans to complete the building in time to start classes in September 1965. The Northern Highland school building, completed at a cost of $4 million, was dedicated in February 1966.
The first all-Mahwah graduating class was in 1967.
The present school building was constructed in 1984 with three floors on the site of the original school, with an addition completed in "March 2005" (along with the expansion of Ramapo Ridge Middle School), according to a plaque in the new wing.
In Fall 2009, the Freshman Advisory, a full year freshman transition program, was implemented. Freshman Advisory is a required course for all freshman students, and it is taught by upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) and supervised by the high school faculty. The following topics are addressed: study and organizational skills, time management, coping skills, peer pressure, Habits of Mind, and college/post-secondary planning.
Advanced Placement offerings
Mahwah High School offers 18 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which include AP BiologyAP Biology
In the United States, Advanced Placement Biology , is a course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level biology course....
, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a course and examination offered by the College Board as a part of the Advanced Placement Program to give American and Canadian high school students the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and earn college-level credit.-The course:AP Chemistry is a course...
, AP Computer Science
AP Computer Science
Advanced Placement Computer Science is the name of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn college credit for a college-level computer science course...
, AP Economics
AP Economics
Advanced Placement Economics consists of two, separate examinations that are offered as part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program.*AP Macroeconomics*AP Microeconomics...
(includes one semester of macroeconomics and one semester of microeconomics), AP English Language and Composition
AP English Language and Composition
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program....
, AP English Literature and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The Course:This course is designated for motivated students with a command of standard English, an...
, AP European History
AP European History
Advanced Placement European History is a course and examination offered by the College Board through the Advanced Placement Program...
, AP French, AP Music Theory
AP Music Theory
Advanced Placement Music Theory is a course and examination offered in the United States by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program to high school students who wish to earn credit for a college level music theory course.-The course:Some of the material covered in the course...
, AP Physics
AP Physics
AP Physics defines three categories of high school physics courses: A, B, and C. Category A refers to general introductory physics courses that are not mathematically rigorous...
, AP Psychology
AP Psychology
The Advanced Placement Psychology course and corresponding exam is part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. This course is tailored for students interested in the field of psychology and as an opportunity to earn placement credit or exemption from a college-level psychology course...
, AP Spanish
AP Spanish
AP Spanish can stand for two distinct Advanced Placement Programs provided by the College Board:*AP Spanish Language*AP Spanish Literature...
, AP Statistics
AP Statistics
Advanced Placement Statistics is a college-level high school statistics course offered in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placement program...
, AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art
AP Studio Art is a series of Advanced Placement Courses divided into three different categories: AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D, and AP Studio Art 3D.-The portfolio:...
, AP Psychology
AP Psychology
The Advanced Placement Psychology course and corresponding exam is part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. This course is tailored for students interested in the field of psychology and as an opportunity to earn placement credit or exemption from a college-level psychology course...
and AP US History. In the 2009-10 school year, 128 students participated in Mahwah High School's AP course offerings, taking a total of 258 examinations that year of which 87% achieved a grade of 3 or higher.
Schedule
In September 2007, Mahwah High School instituted a "rotating-drop schedule." Under the "rotating-drop schedule," students attend three 55-minute classes before and after lunch, for a total of six classes per day. The "rotating-drop schedule" has created a "unit lunch" - a 43-minute period in which all students eat lunch.Athletics
Mahwah's athletic and other teams are called the "Thunderbirds". Mahwah High School now competes in the Big North ConferenceBig North Conference
The Big North Conference is a high school athletic conference in New Jersey. It is one of six North Jersey "super athletic conferences" created by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association in 2009...
, following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...
. Prior to the 2010 realignment, Mahwah was one of the member schools of the Bergen County Scholastic League
Bergen County Scholastic League
The Bergen County Scholastic League was a New Jersey high school sports association under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association . The conference consisted of thirty public and parochials high schools covering Bergen County and Hudson County in northern New...
, competing in the American Division.
Sports listed with an asterisk (*), although they are technically two teams that compete and score separately, usually practice and have their events with each other.
- Fall sports: Cross country (boys)*, Cross country (girls)*, Football (boys), Soccer (boys), Soccer (boys), Soccer (girls), Tennis (girls), Volleyball (girls), Marching Band and Fall Cheerleading.
- Winter sports: Basketball (boys), Basketball (girls), Bowling (boys)*, Bowling (girls)*, Ice hockey (boys), Track (boys)*, Track (girls)*, Wrestling (boys) and Winter Cheerleading
- Spring sports: Baseball (boys), Golf (boys)*, Golf (girls)*, Softball (girls), Tennis (boys), Track (boys)*, Track (girls)*, Lacrosse (boys) and Lacrosse (girls)
Boy's lacrosse
On May 9, 2010, the boys varsity lacrosse team defeated Bergen Catholic High SchoolBergen Catholic High School
Bergen Catholic High School is an all-male Roman Catholic high school in Oradell, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade...
in the BCCA Lacrosse Championship 10-6 to win a county title in only its second year of varsity existence.
Girl's soccer
On November 20, 2010, the girls varsity soccer team defeated Arthur L. Johnson High SchoolArthur L. Johnson High School
Arthur L. Johnson High School is a four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Clark, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Clark Public School District...
in the NJSIAA Group II state finals, with a final score of 3-1. The team had made it to the 2009 NJSIAA Group II State Finals, before losing 2-1 in overtime to Haddonfield Memorial High School
Haddonfield Memorial High School
Haddonfield Memorial High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Haddonfield, in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Haddonfield Public Schools....
.
Extra-curricular activities
The following are some of the extra-curricular activities offered at Mahwah High School:- Ani-Pals
- Art Club
- Athletes in ActionAthletes in ActionAthletes in Action is an evangelical Christian sports ministry in the tradition of Muscular Christianity. Athletes in Action, a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, works with athletes and coaches to use the unique platform of sport to help people around the world with questions of faith...
- Audio-Visual Club
- Calliope (literary magazine)
- Current Events Club
- Environmental Club
- Executive Student Council
- Future Business Leaders of AmericaFBLA-PBLThe Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, or FBLA-PBL, is an American career and technical student organization that has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia...
(FBLA) - French National Honor SocietyFrench National Honor SocietyThe Société Honoraire de Français is an organization whose intent is to recognize high school students in the United States who have maintained excellent grades in at least three semesters of French language courses; this is done by induction into the organization.-Induction:At induction, the SHF...
- Gay-Straight AllianceGay-straight allianceGay–straight alliances are student organizations, found primarily in North American high schools and universities, that are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and their straight allies .-Goal:The goal of most, if not all,...
- Junior Classical League
- Marching BandMarching bandMarching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
- Mock TrialMock trialA Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...
- Model United NationsModel United NationsModel United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
- Multi-Cultural Club
- National Honor SocietyNational Honor SocietyThe National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
- Omni Club
- Philosophy Club
- Reaching Everyone By Exposing LiesReaching Everyone By Exposing LiesReaching Everyone By Exposing Lies is an Anti-Tobacco program for teens in New Jersey. REBEL began back in 2000 at Kick Ash Weekend. It was originally funded under the Master Settlement Agreement. It is currently funded by the high taxes on tobacco products. Currently there are three division of...
(REBEL) - Robotics Club FIRST Robotics CompetitionFIRST Robotics CompetitionThe FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST. Each year, teams of high school students compete to build robots weighing up to , not including battery and bumpers, that can complete a task, which changes every year...
- Science National Honor SocietyScience National Honor SocietyScience National Honor Society is an academic honor society focused on science for high school students within the United States. The society was established in 2000 in Texas and has expanded to over 277 schools in 33 states....
- Spanish National Honor SocietySpanish National Honor SocietySpanish National Honor Society is an academic honor society focused on Spanish language excellence in secondary education and promotes a continuity of interest in Spanish studies. The group, which was established in 1953 in the United States is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of...
- Stage Crew
- Ski Club
- Step Dance
- Student Council
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
- Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)
- Thunderbird (yearbook)
- Tom-Tom (school paper)
- Ultimate Frisbee Club
- Interact
- Wood Tech Club
- Young Politicians Club
Additionally, freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior class activities are offered.
Mock Trial
The Mock Trial Team is one of the most successful public schools in the county winning two Bergen County titles, in both 2008 and 2011. They also made an appearance in a third final, when they lost to Bergen Catholic High SchoolBergen Catholic High School
Bergen Catholic High School is an all-male Roman Catholic high school in Oradell, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade...
in 2010.
Administration
Core members of the school's administration are:- Principal - John P. Pascale
- Vice Principal - Linda Bohny
Notable alumni
- Curt BlefaryCurt BlefaryCurtis Le Roy Blefary was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Baltimore Orioles , Houston Astros , New York Yankees , Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres...
(1943-2001), American League Rookie of the Year, 1965. - Frank ChamberlinFrank ChamberlinFrank Jacob Chamberlin is an American football linebacker. Chamberlin attended Mahwah High School, in Mahwah, New Jersey. He was a four-year letterman and two-year starter for Boston College and paced the team with 126 tackles as a senior, earning second-team All-Big East honors...
(born 1978), NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
linebacker with the Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Brad Fischetti (born 1975), member of the pop band Lyte Funky OnesLyte Funky OnesLyte Funky Ones was an American three-man pop/rap group consisting of Rich Cronin , Devin Lima , and Brad Fischetti . Before Lima joined the group in 1999, the third member was Brian Gillis , who was with the group from its start in 1995...
. - Kevin HaslamKevin Haslam (American football)Kevin Haslam is an American football offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was signed by the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Rutgers.-Jacksonville Jaguars:Haslam was signed as an undrafted free agent by the...
(born 1986), NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
offensive tackle with the Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - John HollingerJohn HollingerJohn Hollinger is an analyst and writer for ESPN. He primarily covers the NBA. Hollinger grew up in Mahwah, New Jersey and is a 1993 graduate of the University of Virginia....
(born 1971), basketball analyst and writer for ESPN.comESPN.comESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
. - Bob KratchBob KratchRobert "Bob" Kratch is a former American football guard in the NFL for the New York Giants and New England Patriots. He played college football at the University of Iowa for the Hawkeyes....
(born 1966), former guardGuard (American football)In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
for the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. - Gregg Lalka (born 1975), Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-nominated reporter / weather anchor for ABC affiliate, KXTVKXTVKXTV, channel 10, is an ABC affiliate television station in Sacramento, California. It is owned and operated by the Gannett Company. Its transmitter tower is located in Walnut Grove, California, and studios are located on Broadway, just south of Business Loop 80 at the south edge of downtown...
, in Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento, CaliforniaSacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
. - Chris WraggeChris WraggeChristian P. "Chris" Wragge is an American news anchor. He is the co-anchor for New York's WCBS-TV News at 6 p.m. weeknights alongside Dana Tyler. He was previously in the station's 5 p.m. and 11 p.m...
(born 1970), news anchor for WCBS-TVWCBS-TVWCBS-TV, channel 2, is the flagship station of the CBS television network, located in New York City. The station's studios are located within the CBS Broadcast Center and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building, both in Midtown Manhattan....
.
External links
- Mahwah High School
- Mahwah High School, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- The Mahwah Schools Foundation
- The Mahwah 10k Race