Ridgewood High School (New Jersey)

Infobox_School
name = Ridgewood High School


imagesize =
motto =
established = 1919
grades = 9 - 12
district = Ridgewood Public Schools
type = Public high school
principal = John Lorenz
asst principal = Jeffrey Nyhuis
Basil Pizzuto
enrollment = 1,665 (as of 2005-06)
faculty = 118.8 (on FTE basis)
ratio = 14.0
nickname = Maroons
conference = Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League
colors =
publication =
location = 627 East Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07451
information = 201-670-2800
website = [http://rhs.school.ridgewood.k12.nj.us School website]

Ridgewood High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving students from Ridgewood, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Ridgewood Public Schools.

As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,665 students and 118.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 14.0. [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3413830&ID=341383000764 Ridgewood High School] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 18, 2008.]

Architecture

Composed of one central building, which, along with the original gym, was completed in 1919 at a total cost of $285,000, the building features brick walls, a slate roof and other stone features. [Hanley, Robert. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9404E3D8113FF932A15751C1A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all "The $25 Million Defeat"] , "The New York Times", December 21, 1997. Accessed March 18, 2008. "The high school, built in 1919 for $285,000 (after one bond issue failed), sits on a little bluff and is one of Ridgewood's most imposing buildings."] The building was designed by the noted architectural firm of Tracy and Swartwout, who also designed the Missouri State Capitol building.

Awards and recognition

During the 1986-87 school year, Ridgewood High School was awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education [ [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF)] , accessed May 11, 2006.] , the highest award an American school can receive. [ [http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17475750&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6 CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department] , "Journal Inquirer", November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."] [Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; "The Washington Post". September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."]

In "Newsweek's" May 22, 2007 issue, ranking the country's top high schools, Ridgewood High School was listed in 549th place, the tenth-highest ranked school in New Jersey. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18757087/?sort=State&count=1257&search=&start=700&limit=100&year=2007& "The Top of the Class: The complete list of the 1,200 top U.S. schools"] , "Newsweek", May 22, 2007. Accessed May 24, 2007.] The school was ranked 472 in "Newsweek's" May 8, 2006, issue, listing the Top 1,200 High Schools in The United States, [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12532678?s=400&np=13&sort=raa Top 1,200 High Schools in The United States] , "Newsweek" May 8, 2006.] and was ranked 323 in "Newsweek's" 2005 survey. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8759025/site/newsweek/page/4/ America's Best High Schools] , "Newsweek," August 5, 2005.]

The school was the 7th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 314 schools statewide, in "New Jersey Monthly" magazine's September 2008 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools". The school was ranked 24th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which included 316 schools across the state. [ [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/highschoolrankings/top-new-jersey-high-schools-by-rank.html "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank"] , "New Jersey Monthly", September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.]

Athletics

Ridgewood High School's sports teams are nicknamed the Maroons. On December 7, 1991, Ridgewood, under coach Chuck Johnson, defeated North Bergen High School in football to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North I Group IV State Championship, the first ever for the Maroons. In 2003, the football team defeated Morristown High School 35-6 in the NJSIAA North I Group IV Championship game at Giants Stadium. In 2004, the football team repeated the feat by defeating Hackensack High School 27-20, again at Giants Stadium. Ridgewood High School is one of the public and private high schools from Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties that are members of the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League.

The Maroons are routinely ranked as one of the top men's lacrosse programs in New Jersey. Ridgewood Softball, coached by Debbie Paul, won the 2005 Bergen County Championship and 2006 North I Group IV State Sectional Championship, defeating Bloomfield High School by 3-0. [ [http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=161251&tclass=North%20I%2C%20Group%20IV 2006 Softball - North I, Group IV] , accessed August 26, 2006.]

In 2007, the Boy's Tennis Team won their second State Sectionals title in three years, defeating Livingston High School 3-2 to win the North I, Group IV championship. [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxNTMmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcxMzg4NDAmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2 "Palisades Park wins sectional"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", May 22, 2007. "Quentin Sengun and Walter Green rallied to win what proved the be the winning match as top-seeded Ridgewood defeated third-seeded Livingston, 3-2, at Montclair Kimberley to win its second sectional title in three years."] The 2008 Boys Tennis Team won their third consecutive North I, Group I state sectional championship with a 4-1 win in the tournament final over Livingston High School. [ [http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=276712&tclass=North%20I%2C%20Group%20IV 2008 Boys Team Tennis - North I, Group IV] , NJSIAA. Accessed June 2, 2008.]

In 2007, the Girl's Indoor Track and Field team came 2nd nationally for the Shuttle Hurdle Relay. That same year, the team were North I, Group IV champions barely edging out East Orange Campus High School in a thrilling final 4X400m race. Although not running as fast as they did in 2007, the team came 1st in 2008 for the Shuttle Hurdles at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships. [Schwartz, Paul. [http://www.northjersey.com/hssports/girlsindoortrack/Ridgewood_girls_golden_in_shuttle_hurdles.html "Ridgewood girls grab gold"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", March 15, 2008. Accessed July 9, 2008.]

Ridgewood High School was awarded the Shop-Rite Cup in 2006 for exhibiting all-around talent in its athletic programs.Fact|date=June 2008

Campus

The newest part of the school, the state of the art Science wing, was completed in 2001 and contains 15 laboratory classrooms, three computer labs and a new industrial arts center. A new fitness center, gymnasium, and multi-purpose room, the Campus Center, were also included in the renovation. Due to their proximity to the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, the school's fields often flood during heavy rains and spring runoff.

Music

Ridgewood High School has an extensive Music program. The Music department boasts three orchestras, three choirs, three concert bands, a marching band, two jazz ensembles, and numerous small ensembles. Ridgewood High School was named a Grammy Signature School in 2004. [ [http://www.menc.org/publication/press/releases/grammysig_apr04.html GRAMMY� Foundation Announces 2004 Signature Schools] , National Association for Music Education press release dated April 28, 2004.]

The three Curricular Bands are the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. Henry Heyzer conducts the Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band is an entry-level band where students focus on sharpening their skills in rhythm, pitch, and balance. The use of method books and exercises is supplemented by appropriate concert selections (Level 2.5 to 3), and these skills are developed in an enjoyable environment.

In Concert Band, a mid-range ensemble, there is emphasis on building knowledge of phrasing and characteristic tonality. There is also a greater emphasis on technical ability. Jeffrey Haas conducts both this ensemble and the Wind Ensemble. Selections are normally from Levels 3 to 4.5. Students in Concert Band have the opportunity to play traditional orchestral literature in Symphonic Orchestra. The Wind Ensemble places a great emphasis on developing a sense of musical maturity appropriate to college/professional literature (Levels 5 and 6), so technical ability is a prerequisite for admission. Students have the opportunity to play in Chamber Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble's orchestral equivalent. Members of Wind Ensemble are regularly selected for Bergen County Band, with Ridgewood High among those schools sending the largest number of students to County Band each year. Members of Wind Ensemble are also regularly selected for Region I Band, which encompasses all of North Jersey. Over the years, Ridgewood High School has sent band students to All-State and All-Eastern Ensembles.

The two jazz ensembles, the Big Band and Jazz Lab, perform throughout the year and compete in International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE)-sanctioned competitions. The jazz ensembles also frequently perform with guest artists. Past guests include jazz greats such as Chris Vadalla and Conrad Herwig. Members of the RHS jazz ensembles are regularly selected for the Region I Jazz Ensemble and All-State Jazz Ensemble.

The RHS Marching Band, a cornerstone of the school, has been acclaimed as one of the best in the state of New Jersey and recently won second place at the USSBA NJ State Championships in 2005. The band has also won USSBA All-States Championship titles in 1992 and 1997. The uniforms are similar to The Cadets.

The Orchestras, Chamber Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra, are both conducted by Amy Hotto, who replaced Amanda Zlotkin as Director of Orchestras in 2007. Chamber Orchestra consistently plays professional literature at a very high level, and many of its students are accepted into Region and All-State Orchestra. The Symphonic Orchestra is an entry-level orchestra that performs medium-level literature. Many RHS string students attend pre-college programs in New York City at places such as the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School.

Keith Sattely serves as the choral director. There are a total of three curricular and two extra-curricular vocal ensembles at Ridgewood High. The Chamber Choir is a high-level choir that focuses on mastery of musical ability. It regularly wins accolades for the choral program, performing challenging SATB and SAB literature. The Concert Choir is the entry-level SATB/SAB choir, performing exciting works and focusing on improving musical ability. The Chorale is an entry-level all-women's choir, performing two-part (SA) literature. There are also extra-curricular vocal ensembles: the Madrigals and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

Administration

Core members of the school's administration are: [ [http://rhs.school.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/index.cfm?sid=6&nav_id=2321 Administration] , Ridgewood High School. Accessed July 28, 2008.]
*John Lorenz, Principal
*Margaret Loonam, Assistant Principal: Guidance, Curriculum and Instruction
*Basil Pizzuto, Assistant Principal: Administration and Student Services

Noted alumni

*Robert T. Bakker (born 1945), paleontologist. [ [http://www.njea.org/pdfs/07ConventionProgram.pdf "NJEA honors outstanding N.J. public school grads"] , "NJEA Reporter", October 2007, Volume 51, Number 2. Accessed July 9, 2008. "A 1963 graduate of Ridgewood High School in Bergen County, Bakker credits the Dec. 7, 1953 issue of Life Magazine, which he unearthed at his grandfather’s house, for his interest in dinosaurs."]
*MC Paul Barman, rapper.Fact|date=August 2008
*Andrew Daly (born 1971), actor/comedian.Fact|date=August 2008
*Willie Geist, commentator and senior producer, "MSNBC".Fact|date=August 2008
*Robert Sean Leonard (born 1969), actor who started acting while at the school and was given work study credit for his theatrical work. [Klein, Alvin. [http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F50713FD3B5C0C768CDDA80894DE484D81 "FOR STAGE NOVICE, 'ACTING IS IT"] , "The New York Times", January 5, 1986. Accessed October 29, 2007. "He's not only having an awful day, he's having an awful time," as the actor, Robert Leonard of Ridgewood, puts it.... A junior at Ridgewood High School, Robert is enrolled in a "work study" program under which he gets credit for his theater experience."]
*Andrew Maguire (born 1939), politician who represented New Jersey's 7th congressional district from 1975 to 1981. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000058 Gene Andrew Maguire] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed June 10, 2007.]
*David Madden (born 1981), "Jeopardy!" champion. [Coutros, Evonne. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1MyZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Njc3NTU2MiZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM= "Ridgewood grad strikes it rich on 'Jeopardy!'"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", September 23, 2005. Accessed June 10, 2007. "Former Ridgewood resident David Madden hit the jackpot this month, but it wasn't in the lottery. Madden, a 1999 graduate of Ridgewood High, had a 19-day winning streak on "Jeopardy!" and walked away from the game show with more than $430,000 in cash."]
*Kim Ng (born 1968), Major League Baseball official.Fact|date=August 2008
*James "Buddy" Nielsen (born 1984), musician Senses Fail
*Nelson Riddle (1921-1985), bandleader, arranger and orchestrator. [ [http://www.jazzhouse.org/library/?read=ripmaster2 September in the Rain: The Life of Nelson Riddle] , accessed April 22, 2007. "Riddle was born in Oradell, New Jersey. His father played trombone and piano and encouraged his son to take music lessons at an early age. Already a six footer in his teens, he attended Ridgewood High School and was encouraged by his school music teacher to continue his musical studies, which he would ultimately do most of his life."]
*Karl Stanley (1992) submarine designer who began building his first submersible while a sophomore at the school [ [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0211/q_n_a.html Confessions of a Backyard Submarine Builder] National Geographic Magazine, November 2002. Accessed December 11, 2007.] Fact|date=December 2007
*Kazbek Tambi (born 1961) former professional soccer player inducted into the RHS Athletic hall of Fame in 2004. [http://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/index.cfm?sid=6&nav_id=10478&ArticleID=29682 RHS Athletic Hall of Fame: Kazbek Tambi - Class of 1979] , Ridgewood High School. Accessed July 30, 2007.]

References

External links

* [http://rhs.school.ridgewood.k12.nj.us Ridgewood High School website]
*NJReportCard|03|4390|050|Ridgewood High School
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3413830 Data for the Ridgewood Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics