Pascack Valley HS is a great school. Both of my children attended and enter college well prepared to be successful. Additionally the sports program provided them focus. Academics allowed then to excel and earn credits that later they used to ensure they had core course to afford them time to study aboard during college. You get what you put into parenting and into school, but PV makes it easy to take advantage of all the opportunities available to your child
—Submitted by a parent
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
Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools
nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities.
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About these ratings
The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.
The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 92% in 2012.
311 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
96%
2011
98%
2010
98%
2009
98%
Math
The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.
311 students were tested at this school in 2012.
2012
93%
2011
92%
2010
92%
2009
93%
Scale: % at or above proficient
About the tests
In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) to test students in grade 11 in language arts literacy and math. The HSPA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. Students are required to pass the HSPA in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.
In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) to test students in grade 11 in language arts literacy and math. The HSPA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. Students are required to pass the HSPA in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.
The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) to assess high school students in Biology. The New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) is standards-based, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level on the test.
In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) to assess high school students in Biology. The New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) is standards-based, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level on the test.
The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.
GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools.
Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school.
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