J.P. Stevens High School

JP is at best a mixed bag. Make no doubt about it, there are plenty of positives for this school. Many teachers are driven and the student body is extremely dedicated towards achieving a successful graduation and a successful career. However there are multiple issues here. First, for every 1 good teacher i get, there are at least 2-3 others that I don't show as much respect, typically since they are out to punish, not teach students. Second, the building is over 50 years old, and the school is handling over twice the capacity of students. Third, the school administration is not the best out there, typically bearing a short fuse for minor academic/disciplinary violations. Fourth, just like many other schools, this school doesnt seem to teach morals. Rather than accentuating integrity, grace, and a sense of righteousness, its all about embracing change. Its all about satisfying selfish motives, creating a world in which YOU are comfortable in. Again, make no doubt about it, this is a much better school than any others in the region. However, don't become infatuated with it. This school doesnt replace proper parenting and moral upbringings.
—Submitted by a student

Faculty was very engaging and interested in students' well being. They made the course curriculum relevant and interesting. In addition, the extracurricular activities were very fulfilling and well-managed.
—Submitted by a student

School faculty was very much interested in students' well-being. They made the course curriculum relevant and engaging. Extracurricular activities were fulfilling and well-managed. Equipment used in music, arts, sports and science classes were current to the course curriculum.
—Submitted by a student

John.P. Stevens is one of the most diverse school maybe in entire NJ. This is my last year at JP and I have never witnessed any race issues over here. We have one of the best teachers who actually care about students rather then crying for salary or complaining about other teachers. I won't be exaggerating even if I say we HAVE COLLEGE LEVEL TEACHERS. High school is once in a lifetime experience. I am glad the I am a part of one of the best school in NJ as per Washington post.
—Submitted by a student

Parents need to become more involved if they are concerned about where their taxes are going. It's hard to stay competitive when the school budget gets voted down year after year. JPS is an excellent school with some of the best teachers in the area and they manage to not only stay competetive but to lead the pack. If you're not willing to be a partner in your child's education, then you shouldn't complain.
—Submitted by a parent

kids out here are done both home schooling and private tuition... to get into 4 yr college. Can't understand why the bio teacher who was physical ed teacher is still there... if all she does is sit in the chair. school board can find much better teacher and good teacher who is capable of doing more than sitting in the chair.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated in 2009. Pros: -There were some truly dedicated teachers who seriously wanted us to learn and did a teaching us the material. -Some AP/Honors courses are rigorous enough to prepare you for college academics. They do prepare you nicely for AP exams. Cons: -For every one dedicated teacher I previously mentioned, you have half a dozen completely mediocre ones that exist purely for their own benefit often at the expense of the student. -The "college-centricity" and competitiveness of students can lead to an outright toxic learning environment with people doing things purely to get into a top college and not because they actually care about their activity. It really stunk being in clubs I was passionate about only to be surrounded by people joining them to pad their college apps. -Administration looks like it exists almost purely to exercise its power and not to actually help students. -Physics department
—Submitted by a student

Being an Edison local and having an "I grew here you flew here local pride attitude," the negativity I read in these reviews is disturbing. School have had the unfair burden of being the great socialize r of the children of this community. The fact is that you are in school for an education, and self motivated you must be to earn one. Edison has had some of the finest schools in the state, but when parents no longer pass budgets what do you expect. It is 12-15k per year to educate one student, so if a family is paying 7-10k in taxes they should pay back the schools for that difference. Maybe then the school would have a chance to catch up in technology, class sizes could be smaller and buildings can get renovations. If you don't like it fly home!

I want to enjoy learning. I really do. But there's something wrong with the way we learn here. JPS has a great number of truly dedicated, passionate teachers (especially those who run clubs) who inspire their students to excel. As students, we appreciate this and work hard, but some teachers tend to see their students' self-motivation as a reason to take a hands-off approach to their classes. Thus, we learn entire AP courses straight out of the textbook - class time is just a diluted reiteration of what we slaved over the night before. There is so much peer and parental pressure to do well that cheating has become a huge issue here as well. Sometimes I feel that the administration doesn't take the student body seriously, especially with the new 'Be the Change' campaign. The friendly white posters are quite patronizing, and those kitschy rhymes aren't fooling anyone.
—Submitted by a student

JP Stevens is a good school academically and being in a competitive school forces students to do better sometimes. But JP lacks significantly in school spirit and interest in learning among students. Students have an 'I'm doing this for college' mentality, so it's rare to find anyone with true passion and integrity. Plus, students don't get a lot of attention from teachers because there are usually 24 kids in an honors class. There are few teachers who have really inspired me or who have really taught me, not just regurgitated stuff from the book, and the what good teachers there are have so many students to teach that it's impossible for them to really cater to an individual's specific needs. But ultimately, it's up to the individual student, not the school, to determine his success, and this is true for JP. Students rely more on themselves than what the school offers.
—Submitted by a student

if u come 2 jp with the right attitude and capability ulll have fun, yes, it is crowded, but if u achieve, ulll shine brighter than the others jp offers many many extracurricular activities, and their courses indeed are challenging, especially Honors Algebra 2 if you work hard as a student, u will succeed. If u make the right decisions, ull get good friends in school, additionally, our school is not as violent as all the others in the area Edison High has worse fights than Jp IF you go 2 cartaret high school district, ull find students who regularly curse at the teachers faces Jp comparitively is an excellent high school, and any1 who goes there should be grateful and proud
—Submitted by a parent

not very good nobody is helpful and encouraging to students and parrents
—Submitted by a parent

I hate it, but i'd never leave it. After three years here, its already like h0me .
—Submitted by a student

I have been at jps of 4 years now and i cant wait till i graduate. It is extremely overcrowned and if u want 1 on 1 attention dont bother coming here. The students are ok.. But u will pass by years not knowing your classmates. A piece of advise from a jps student... Do yourself a favor...Dont come here
—Submitted by a student

i think that jp is over crowded we need at least one more high school in north edison. too much kids! it kinda scares the new comers
—Submitted by a student

I am a current freshman here, and I believe JPS is not all it's talked up to be. Sure, we've got great spirit at pep rallies, football games, and BOTC, but most of us aren't all that spirited in being there. Many of the teachers are terrible and extremely inappropriate. There are many physical fights in hallways, cafeterias, and classrooms daily. Our textbooks are falling apart and so is the school building itself. Our Board of Education in Edison is the crappiest excuse for a school board, resulting in crappy teachers, books, and other important things.
—Submitted by a student

Let's be honest. This school is extemely overcrowded and gets worse with every year. Not only does the administration come up with ridiculous rules, they are in no way understanding or willing to help you out. The guidance department does not guide you with anything. The only good thing they do is listen. You can probably count the truly good teachers on your fingers. The honors program is not at all that challenging, nor does it truly prepare you for the college life. I can speak from experience since I was an honors student all four years. The best dept - the nurses!! Stay as far away from this school as possible!
—Submitted by a student

JP Stevens is an average school that is made up to be great. Most students do go out and succeed but the school [building] its self is horrible. The school is ridiculous and needs to get its act together, don't believe everything you hear about my school.
—Submitted by a student

JP Stevens is the only high school I've ever attended, so I can't compare it to others fairly. However, I assume it's like every high school with positive and negative aspects. The rigorous honors/AP program is both. It prepares students well for college's academic competitiveness and time management goes. It can, though, lead to a toxic learning environment, particularly around college application time. Students end up forgetting about their passions in lieu of application fillers. Guidance is hit or miss depending on the counselor. Administration is inflexible, but the principal genuinely cares. It is uncomfortable overcrowded. A good number of students attend Ivy Leagues and prestigious 4-year institutions, but I don't know if the education quality is better than elsewhere. I've had a fairly even ratio of fantastic educators to indifferent time wasters. Ultimately, I think it's the population of students who are passionate,
—Submitted by a former student

JPS is an excellent school. The honors program is intense, but students in lower levels are challenged to do their best too. The major problem is that the budget has failed for the past several years, which hurts the school. Still, JPS boasts excellent music programs and award-winning clubs like Model UN, Yearbook, Key Club, FBLA, and FCCLA. Many seniors go on to prestigious colleges, and every year, a sizable portion goes to Ivy schools like Harvard, Princeton, Columbia and Cornell. Well worth your tax dollars.
—Submitted by a parent