Pascack Valley High School

Unstable leadership and frequent abuse of power over students. Frequent disregard of students in favor of the most profitable outcomes in all circumstance. Total inability to properly manage or spend money appropriately. Main faculty are untrustworthy and have horrible student reception. Students with lower GPAs are shafted and pushed along without learning anything. The ratio of work a student with a higher GPA has with a student of a lower GPA is is baffling. The laptop program is completely worthless due to it being run with people very unfamiliar with how laptops would actually work in an academic setting and blocking everything. Poorly handled schizophrenic management of academic goals leaves the intention of individual curriculum leaves lesson plans feeling empty and pointless in any individual area. If it were not for the relative competence of the teachers, there would be no redeeming qualities to this school. A disastrous example of every single thing wrong with the education system.
--Submitted by a student

Pascack Valley High School is an innovative school that challenges its students to go beyond the average curriculum to explore all of the portential they have.
--Submitted by a parent

Poor academic leadership,recent granting of tenure to a number of marginal teachers.Administration can't differentiate between quality teachers and very poor teachers.
--Submitted by a teacher

PVHS is a great school. Most teachers have been hired within the last ten years, and I find that most students find it easier learning fom teachers that are closer in age, and also these teachers teaching techniques are much better much more effective compared to older teachers. The school has recently completed its addition of the new science wing, renovation of the library, new track, new auditorium, and updated classrooms. The laptop initiative which was started in 2004 has greatly improved with stricter policies, so that students are not being distracted by games as much anymore, students have also recently been given new Apple MacBooks with appealing programs such as iMovie and iPhoto which let students explore their inner creativity.
--Submitted by a student

The best thing is the teachers - intellingent, enthusiastic and caring. The quality of education is wonderful. Sports are the focus of the extracurricular activities. Academics are very strong. The music department (especially vocal) is getting better and better. Unfortunately, the administration doesn't support arts and music. The school has gone through a major construction, and will have a new science wing, lockers, bathrooms, extended auditorium, new classrooms for math and other subjects (not music,.The laptop initiative is questionable.
--Submitted by a parent

The 'laptop initiative' is a waste of time and money. The students spend more time playing games, even with blocks, than actually using them for learning. Some departments (namely music and art) are suffering from a lack of money for desperately-needed new uniforms or supplies, and some sports are continually late and improperly dressed at their games because uniforms and bussing are not taken care of by the administration. The dress code is not enforced, and students often walk around with their boxers hanging out, and midriffs and ladies' chests are hanging out for all to see from many students. The education is very complete (albeit centered on minority groups rather than spread evenly around different cultures), and returning students say they feel prepared for college. The music and art departments are excellent, even with lack of funding, and the school continues to produce Bloustein scholars and other scholarship winners.
--Submitted by a student

Excellent school: Dr. Tantillo was 2005 Superintendent of the year (for the HS district). Students work hard and come out prepared for college. Encourages honor roll aspirations with quarterly Honor Roll Breakfasts. Currently undergoing physical plant renovations.
--Submitted by a parent

PVHS is a great high school to send your children to. The faculty are invovled in school activities and there are a lot of events happening all year round that improve the community of the high school (i.e. Winter Wonderland--a school wide service project). Most of all though, Pascack Valley offers a wide cirriculum that offers outstanding preparation for college-whether it be ivy league or not. Not only can PVHS boast about its academics, but its athletics are nothing to pass by, with title winning basketball, softball, tennis, and much more. PVHS is even improving upon itself as I write this, starting a wealth of new construction that includes a new science/laboratory wing and track.
--Submitted by a former student

Excellent School, Amazing Teachers, Very Nice People - Everyone in that school gets into at least an ivy league college - One of the best schools in New Jersey- AMAZING!
--Submitted by a student

The overall attidute of the faculty is horrible. They have just got lap top computers i feel that it is a waste. I have been made aware that students are playing games all the time and doing poorer in their classes. Overall i think this school needs new faculty and staff. No body cares about the kids.
--Submitted by a former student