Rutgers Preparatory School

It is with great pleasure I write this commendation about an institution that has enhanced my son's academic experience . Rutgers Preparatory School has given him the tool set necessary to compete at a highly competitive academic institution. The highly anticipated first semester could have not been more successful for him. He frequently mentions how well prepared academically, socially he is for the vigors of university life. If any parent diesires the "best " for their child and affords them "the best" opportunity to succeed in this highly competitive academic environment, my suggestion is to enroll them in RPS. I recommend RPS without reservation or prejudice.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school. The teachers really don't offer much for the price tag you are paying. The sales pitch is high to get you to return but the education is pretty low. They have a headmaster but he is MIA most of the time. They are running on the name alone and some of the surrounding schools offer a better option. Even if the teachers are complained about they will never fire them, you just have to deal with the issue. They need younger teachers there. Totally not worth the money. Also, if your child is individual kind of thinker. Don't send them there.
—Submitted by a parent

My son loves Rutgers Preparatory School. Our decision to transfer from a public school system (that was a high rated blue ribbon school ) was the best decision ever. He now has great caring teachers with small class sizes that are much more interactive and academically challenging. There are opportunities for many more technical and specific electives and A/P classes. The school schedule lets him be involved with sports and with many clubs and group organizations. He is more confident and responsible. We definitely made the right decision to join Rutgers Prep.
—Submitted by a parent

I had my kids at RPS for 10 years. Over the years the school has changed, and is living on past glory. We decided to leave and was the best decision ever. Great for lower school, middle school is a struggle.........
—Submitted by a parent

Couldn't stnad this school. Can't wait to get out of here. DON'T GO HERE IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN OPINION, LIKE TO BE YOURSELF, OR HAVE ANY INTERESTING IN LEARNING.

This is a great school, the teachers are excellent, especially with the strong principle leadership.

My son entered RPS 4 years ago in Pre K. He loves RPS and is very excited for school each day. We are happy to have him part of such a caring community. The other parents share our values which is wonderful. I would like more parents involved at the school but am still really happy. The teachers are caring and really get to know the kids. We are so happy with RPS that we decided his younger brother will join him this fall.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a GREAT school. There are constant challenges academically that the teachers and adminstration are trying their best to provide the kids on a daily basis. Yes, the school doesn't "look" that great when you first walk in - it really needs a new coat of fresh spring colors and new flooring that isn't all crimson!! But don't let that take away from what his school offers - individual attention, small class sizes, rigorous curriculum that is constantly being updated, the best technology used effectively, a good athletics program in the high school, solid college acceptances and even more individual attention! Our art studio needs a new (bigger home), but we still put on quite a show! Rutgers Prep is the PLACE TO BE!!

As the parent of a student who attended Rutgers Prep from kindergarten through graduation, I believe the experience was outstanding. My child was extremely well prepared for college, having excellent academic and time management skills. In addition, the confidence and thirst for knowledge instilled in my child will enrich her future always.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of three students and an alumni of RPS I know first hand the benefits of a Rutgers Prep education. The RPS community is supportive and nurturing for students of all abilities. As graduates head to college they are better equipped to meet the expectations and demands of a rigorous college education.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter graduated as a lifer at Rutgers Prep, having spent her entire schooling career there. As a Lower School student, she was a part of small classes where the learning environment was challenging yet comforting. The small class size and individual attention helped to build her academic confidence. As a Middle School student, she was taught ways to take notes and how to learn and study larger amounts of work. She was also exposed to extra curricular activities such as sports and music. As an Upper School Student, she was able to set an academic course for herself that included Honors classes, music and of course AP Classes. The class sizes ranged from 4-14 students. Rutgers Prep has not only been challenging for her academically (7 AP courses), but has helped shape and mold her into the confident young lady that she has become. The small classes, the teaching leadership and the opportunity to compete in athletics and music have all been positive influences in her life. We are confident that she has become who she is today partly because she graduated from Rutgers Prep as a lifer .
—Submitted by a parent

Our children have been very happy in the RPS lower school for the past seven years (since pre-K, 3 years old). The teachers care, they are well-prepared, professional and consistent. Instead of being driven by bureaucracy and testing, RPS knows the standards and then delves deeper. They are teaching critical thinking skills and how to think rather than fact recall. We love the small classes and how much the teachers care for our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Like most schools, Prep. has pluses and minuses. Some of the teachers are wonderful, but there are a handful that shouldn't be teaching. The school places a bit too much emphasis on sports, and in my opinion, this comes at the expense of academics. The principals generally lack strong leadersip qualities, and I often get the sense that they are just paying lip service to the parents. They are resistent to new ideas. The headmaster is geat, but he can't be everywhere all of the time. Knowing what I know now, I would have removed my children from Prep. after 6th grade. The Middle School and High Schools are not academically challenging, and not worth the (considerable) expense.
—Submitted by a parent

My son entered Prep last year after spending 6 years in public schools. The education was all that I expected and more. My son LOVES his school and couldn't wait to return after the summer break. My husband and I refer to him as "Mr. Rutgers Prep" because he is so proud to be a part of the community and the community embraces his individual talents and skills as a benefit to the school. The decision to send him to RPS was the best decision that we could have made for our son's future.
—Submitted by a parent

Headmaster totally uninvolved, teachers don't do anything about bullying, most (not all) teachers have "something to do after school" hence no after school help, favoritism, so-called adjunct "coaches" are a joke (especially boy's soccer, absolutely no school spirit, PTA is non-existant. Go somewhere else!
—Submitted by a parent

Way too expensive for what you get. At 24K/year, kids should be WAY advanced of their public school peers; however, that is not what I've seen with my stepson or his classmates compared to his public school friends or my nieces/nephews. Save your money for college because most RTP grads don't get a scholarship, as they'd have you believe!
—Submitted by a parent

Rutgers Prep is a great school. The teachers are all excellent and always available for extra help for their students. The school is very challenging but prepares students for college but than any school I've seen.
—Submitted by a parent

School is great but I gave a low grade as the headmaster, principals are cowards. They don't want to discuss anything about improving the school or listen to complaints. They will always blame the kids for anything their teachers don't do right. The only thing you get from them is lip service. The PTA is non-existent.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. This was the first year at this school for our 3rd grade son. He went to public school before Rutgers Prep. The Learning environment is great. He is definitely has a more challenging environment now than at his prior school. We are so glad we made the decision to send our son to RPS.
—Submitted by a parent

Rutgers Prep has a long history and I'm sure is a good college prep school. However, my experience as a parent with a child at Rutgers Prep was not a positive one. Academically, my child entered at a level in reading and math above 90% of the students in his primary school grade level. The school was unsuccessful in challenging him in the classroom. Unfortunately, as a 1st grader, my child was unable to productively tolerate the boredom and behavior and focus became an issue. Afer a subtle suggestion by the staff that we "get him tested..." (for ADD), I knew this was not the place for us. However, before leaving the school, I did my homework and checked with other parents. Apparently, this a common thing amongst parents of "busy" boys. Some medicated and others said "Well, they focus less on behavior in the middle school."
—Submitted by a parent