Califon Borough Elementary School

Both of my children have enjoyed a first rate education thanks to the outstanding staff and personal attention received in this small in size, but big in quality community school.
--Submitted by a parent

Califon School is a terrific small school environment, where small class sizes, excellent and attentive teachers, a close bond with the Califon community, a strong and experienced administration, and plentiful opportunities for parental involvement exist. As a parent of multiple children currently enrolled at Califon School, I appreciate the responsiveness of staff to any questions or concerns, and their willingness to work with us on solutions. There are plentiful enrichment opportunities, but perhaps one of the best things about CS is the relationship skills students form due to their close quarters - not always smooth sailing, but valuable life skills, on top of a rigorous academic program. Sure, there is always room for improvement, but we've found that families who prefer a small and hands-on school environment do great in Califon. This is a special place!
--Submitted by a parent

Califon School continues to thrive. Although there is a segment of the community that is dissatisfied with the administration, the teachers are fantastic and the students are well prepared for high school. The administration is making efforts to reach out to parents and the vibe has improved dramatically this year. Given the small school size, kids have a chance to try it all -- and the school has a lot to try, from chess club, DI, school newspaper, student government, and sports -- and they tend to be quite well rounded when they get to HS. Teachers are very responsive to parent concerns, and students generally perform well on state tests.
--Submitted by a parent

The administration at Califon school has become unresponsive to parental concerns. This has been going down hill for the past few years and a negative vibe is currently rampant - particularly with regards to the upper grades. The school seems unable to effectively deal with concerns or problems that arise. The kids know it, the parents know it - but at this time no one seems to be doing much about it.
--Submitted by a parent

Califon is a very small school with an extraordinary record of academic achievement as measured by statewide tests. It holds both elementary and middle school programs. The teachers are very responsive and attuned to the demands of the community. Parents are very involved in the school and participate in numerous special programs and fund-raisers. Because of the small size, every child has an opportunity (even pressure) to participate in every music and sports program. The sports teams don't usually have winning records since they compete against teams that cherry pick the best athletes. The flip side is that the average student plays more and is better rounded for having to participate in so many diverse activities. One last note - there is less pressure to 'grow up fast' in Califon's middle school than any other school of which I am aware.
--Submitted by a parent