The Town Broker

Schools

Schools

As a real estate broker, I know first hand that quality schools are one of the most important characteristics of any great community. But…what makes any school terrific? For some, it’s the advanced placement course offerings. For others, it’s a competitive sports program. Still others look for creative arts programs, low class size, or cost per pupil stats.

Choosing the best school for your child is a very subjective and personal decision. I have included a few links below that I hope will help you in that process. For links to school information for a specific town, please click on the town icon on the right side of this site. 

NJ School Report Card

The New Jersey School Report Card has provided the public with information about every school in New Jersey since 1995 when the Legislature mandated the annual accountability report. The 2009 edition of the New Jersey School Report Card offers the same level of information as in previous years. I encourage you to examine the school’s report card when considering a school for your child. Or, you can use it to decide for yourself whether your school is making satisfactory progress in helping your child meet New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Content Standards. If you would like to give the department feedback on the report card process, please contact them at: reportcard@doe.state.nj.us.

GreatSchools

GreatSchools is proud to be the winner of the 2007 People’s Voice Webby Award, known as the “Oscars of the Internet”. Parents submit reviews that help GreatSchools in their efforts to provide parents with comprehensive information for guiding a child’s education. Visit this site to read a review, or leave one of your own!

NJ Monthly Magazine Top 100 Public High School Rankings

Every two years, New Jersey Monthly ranks the state’s public high schools. Take a look at their 2008 (most current) ranking of 316 New Jersey high schools. You can view the rankings by numerical order, alphabetically, or by county.

Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC)

Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) is a public, non-profit agency located in Westfield, New Jersey. It was established in June, 1969 to provide educational programs and services in response to the needs of the students, parents, faculty and administration of its 21 member school districts. The Commission operates two alternative high schools and three schools for students with disabilities. It directs an Alternative Interim Educational Program and a Special Needs Career Academy within the Union County Vo-Tech School. UCESC teachers provide bedside and remedial instruction to students at hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, psychiatric programs and detention centers located throughout Union County.

In addition, Union County ESC provides state-mandated services to over 4000 students enrolled in 70 Nonpublic Schools These programs include: Compensatory Education, Supplemental Instruction, Speech-Language Therapy, English as a Second Language (ESL) Instruction, Child Study Team services, Home Instruction and School Nursing Services.