The Leah Sokoloff Nursery School of Shomrei Torah offers programs for children ages two and a half to prekindergarten in an Orthodox Jewish environment. Activities include art, music, language, science, math and Jewish studies. A seven-week summer program is also available. All students -- whether they are tots, nursery, or pre-K age -- take part in the school's Hebrew immersion program, which includes Hebrew language instruction through traditional methods as well as the use of props, games and songs. Wednesday is enrichment day, entailing creative activities such as mock Jewish weddings and mock fishing expeditions. Special trips and programs are planned for Jewish holidays. Debbie Lesnoy is the school's educational director.
Gutkovskiy Fencing Academy is owned and operated by Stanislav Gutkovskiy, a fencer for more than 20 years. He opened the academy in 2009, and is one of four coaches on staff. The academy offers private lessons, as well as classes for beginning and experienced fencers.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School uses the house model, emphasizing the cultivation of a sense of ownership and identity for students and teachers and enabling them to develop close working relationships. Teams of four teachers meet regularly to plan learning activities or to discuss instructional strategies and student concerns.
Instrumental and choral music instruction is available in addition to core academic subjects, and extracurricular activities include intramural sports, drama club, math league and student council.
The school's Parent Teacher Organization publishes a newspaper and runs events such as Back to School Night, American Education Week and Education Recognition Night. To highlight respect and responsibility as cornerstones of the school, citizenship signs are posted in all classrooms and common areas.
John Dunay is the school's principal.
The transportation and buildings and grounds departments both share space with the Fair Lawn Board of Education on Bergen Avenue. Part of the department of public works, the buildings and grounds department is responsible for maintaining and repairing the borough's properties. The board of education's transportation department houses and coordinates Fair Lawn's public school buses.
All Bright Center provides enrichment courses for children in the fields of science, arts and sports. Age ranges for courses vary, but this center caters mostly to students from elementary school to high school. Courses include art, English, science, Russian language, Russian literature and math with a traditional European approach. Other programs include dance studios for all levels in areas such as hip-hop, modern dance, ballet and competition; a musical instrument conservatory for such disciplines as violin, piano, cello, guitar and voice; a vocal ensemble for all levels; and a program for toddlers that emphasizes traditional European techniques of learning. Visit the website for more information, including information on tuition plans, fees, class schedules and private lessons.
Westmoreland is a small elementary school on the western border of Fair Lawn. School-wide projects include a character education program, family bulletin boards and teacher-created assmeblies. Among the academic offerings are a gifted and talented program, early literacy enhancement, a math remedial program, a guided reading approach, after-school homework clubs and a literacy supplemental program to assist students in need of extra assistance.
The Parent Teacher Organization runs programs like Family Fun Night, Halloween Dance and Evening Book Fair. A school planning committee consisting of parents, teachers and administrators reviews school objectives and identifies areas that will enrich students' academic experience.
Linda Cobb is Westmoreland's principal.
The board of education administers Fair Lawn's schools, including one high school, two middle schools and six elementary schools. Besides its offices at Thomas A. Edison School on Fair Lawn Avenue, the board also shares space with the Department of Buildings and Grounds and the Department of Transportation (housing the borough's school buses) on Bergen Avenue.
Bruce Watson is the superintendent of schools in Fair Lawn, while the board of education consists of nine members. Meetings are held monthly.
Memorial Middle School has the stated goal of helping students develop academically, socially, and emotionally into outstanding citizens prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. Core subjects are mathematics, language arts, social studies, world language and science. The school has been named a National School of Character for its emphasis on character education. The school has a peer mentoring program to help students successfully transition into middle school. Student activities and clubs include art, computers, drama, choir, intramural sports, math league, student newspaper and more. Memorial Park is adjacent to the school. Natalie Lacatena is Memorial's principal.
The European Learning Center is a co-ed, non-sectarian private school with separate programs for kindergartners and grade-school-age children. After-school programs are available for students enrolled in the center or in public schools. Full-time study is Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm. The school also offers private tutoring. The European Learning Center features a curriculum that includes English, history, science, mathematics, penmanship, reading, spelling and foreign languages.
H.B. Milnes is a K-5 public elementary school with a diversified student body and specific programs for special education and autistic children. Every classroom has computers. The school emphasizes its warm environment where students always come first. Joseph Fulco is the principal, leading a faculty of about 60.
Fair Lawn's only public high school has over 1,500 students taking part in a curriculum including math, English, social studies, science, music, physical education and world language. One of the school's stated missions is to identify the critical skills, abilities, and experiences that are necessary for student success and reflect on the responsibility to understand what its students need to learn.
A wide variety of students clubs includes Animal Rights Club, Big Brother/Big Siste, Chemistry League, Debate Team, Student Council, Jazz Ensemble, Model UN, Pre-Med Club, Peer Leadership, and Ski Club, among many others.
In athletics, the "Cutters" have teams in cross country, football, cheerleading, soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bowling, fencing, ice hockey, swimming, track, wrestling, baseball and softball.
James Marcella is the school's principal.
With the slogan "The Place to Grow," Forrest School has the stated goal of helping every child reach his or her greatest potential through differentiated instruction addressing students' individual needs. Parallel block schedules for grades 3 to 5 creates opportunities for teacher collaboration and creative classes, including keyboarding, "Harmony of History" (social studies/music enrichment) and a hands-on science lab.
The school also has a multi-age literacy initiative for grades 1 and 2 that places students in instructional groups according to their proficiency in reading and writing rather than solely by age or grade. In the Museum School program, 4th and 5th graders visit historic sites to study the American colonial period in an interactive manner.
Parents of the students are involved in community social action projects and fundraising activities supporting the Hilltop Haven Family Shelter in Paterson.