- West Essex High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in North Caldwell, New Jersey in the United States. The high school is part of the West Essex Regional School District, which serves students from four municipalities in western Essex County. Communities served by the district's schools are Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Roseland.
- As of the 2006-07 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,052 students and 72.5 classroom teachers (on a FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 14.5.
- Awards and recognition
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The school was the 48th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 316 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2008 cover story on the state's Top Public High Schools. The school was ranked 34th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which included 316 schools across the state.
- School history
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The history of the West Essex Regional School District began in the fall of 1951 while students from the District – Caldwell Township (present day Fairfield), Essex Fells, North Caldwell, Roseland – were accepted by Caldwell High School as part of a sending/receiving relationship.
- Soon it became apparent that the present and future educational needs of the area needed to be determined as scientifically as possible, and the four school boards in the District joined with that of Caldwell-West Caldwell to retain the Rutgers University Extension Service for that purpose. Their survey predicted 1,200 junior-senior high school students in the District by 1961.
- The first comprehensive study was submitted in 1956. It recommended the consolidation of the five school districts and all grades from kindergarten through 12th grade. The communities, however, were reluctant to carry the recommendation into effect. Then the Rutgers educators suggested the formation of a regional school district for grades 7-12 for Caldwell Township, Essex Fells, North Caldwell and Roseland.
- Subsequently, in June 1957, each of the four towns appointed two citizens to serve on a study committee. With the assistance of the Essex County Superintendent of Schools, and other officials, the committee completed a report by the following September.
- The study committee recommended that a referendum be held in the four towns to seek the approval of voters concerning the formation of a regional school district. The New Jersey Department of Education approved the move, and by December 1957 the referendum was passed by the voters.
- Shortly thereafter, the first Regional District school board of nine members – two each from Caldwell Township, Essex Fells, North Caldwell and three from Roseland.
- In February 1958, the Regional Board of Education was elected by the voters, with Wallace S. Jones of Essex Fells as its first president.
- At about this time a Citizens School Curriculum Advisory Committee was established to determine the educational needs of the District and make curriculum recommendations to the Board of Education. Dr. Ulrich V. Solmssen was chairman of the 15-member committee.
- On March 26, 1958, this Curriculum Committee issued a progress report which was superseded by its final report submitted on April 15, 1958.
- The latter report contained several “basic principles” which the committee desired to see adopted for the new high school. Among these principles were “education for all, excellence of performance though self-discipline, independent thinking, and a sense of ‘true values”. Also stressed were a staff of high quality, adequate guidance, the grouping of students, availability of electives, insistence on effective English, and a broad extracurricular program.
- The report also recommended that three types of curricula be offered: College Preparatory, General Academic, and Commercial.
- In July 1958 voters authorized $290,000 for a site, of which lay in North Caldwell and 13 in Caldwell Township. The site is located between Grandview and Passaic Avenues, directly north of Greenbrook Road, about outside of New York City (West Essex Yearbook 1961).
- Bomb Scare Era
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During 2006 – 2007 there was a rash of six bomb scares at the Senior High School as well as an anthrax scare on September 11 2006.
- Since then, West Essex has installed security cameras all over the buildings. There have been no bomb scares or anthrax scare since the installation.
- Extracurricular activities
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West Essex Regional High School provides many opportunities for students, from theater productions to sports teams to service clubs.
- The West Essex High School Knights compete in the Iron Hills Conference, an athletic conference made up of high schools located in Essex County, Morris County and Union County in New Jersey. The Iron division is often regarded as one of the most competitive in the state. However, NJ is currently changing the set up of sports conferences.
- Some of the many groups at West Essex are listed below.
- Football—1980 North Jersey Section II, Group IV Conference Champions and State Champions, and Ranked 1 in State of New Jersey by the Star Ledger Newspaper, North Jersey Section II, Group II State Champions 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007. But was defeated by Jefferson Township in the North Jersey Section I, Group II State Championship in 2008. The 2007 football team won the North II, Group II title with a 27-6 win over Morris Hills High School.
- Boys Lacrosse—2004 Appearance in State Championship, 2004 Waterman Division Champions, 2004 Essex County Tournament Finalists, Ranked number 4 in New Jersey in 2004. 4 consecutive New Jersey State Tournament appearances, 2005 State Championship appearance, (2nd Straight)
- Girls Lacrosse—2003 Group 2 State Champions, appeared in Overall State Title Game, Ranked 7th in the nation , 2004 Ranked Number 5 in New Jersey, Essex County Champions, 2009 Essex County Champions.
- Field Hockey—16 Shut-out Victories, Ranked #1 in Essex County, Ranked #2 in New Jersey, Iron Hills Conference Champions, Essex County Champions, Section 1 Group 2 State Champions (2005-2007). On November 19, 2006, The West Essex field hockey team lost the 2006 Tournament of Champions, falling to Eastern High School by a 2-1 score. In 2007, the team won the North I, Group II state sectional championship with a 4-1 win over Newton High School in the tournament final. The team moved on to win the Group II State Championship with a 4-0 win over Madison High School in the semis and a 3-1 win against Camden Catholic High School in the finals.
- Baseball—In 2006, the team was seeded # 15 in the 74th Greater Newark Tournament, the West Essex Knights defeated #2 Nutley High School, #10 Montclair Kimberley Academy, #3, East Side High School, and #1 Seton Hall Preparatory School (Championship Game), en route to the school's first ever GNT Championship.
- Softball
- Fencing
- Boys Track
- Girls Track
- Boys Basketball
- Girls Basketball
- Wrestling—First Place in Garfield Tournament.
- Ice Hockey—2004 NJSIAA Public School State Champions.
- Boys Soccer—2000 State Champions and Essex County Champions, 2004 Iron Hills Conference Champions 17-2-2 record.
- Girls Soccer—2005 North I, Group II State Sectional Championships, Essex County Champions Ranked 20 overall in New Jersey.
- Boys Tennis—Back to back Group II State champions in 2000 and 2001. 2006 Ranked 10th in New Jersey.
- Girls Tennis
- Golf—Complied an 88-0 dual match record from 1980 through 1983. 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2007 Iron Hills Conference Champions, 2007 Group II State Sectional 2nd Place, 1983 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions 6th Place Overall, 2007 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions 8th Place Overall.
- Boys Volleyball
- Girls Volleyball
- Swimming—Completed 2007-2008 season with new coach Jake Taylor, with an improved record from previous years. Girls team finished 8th in the 2008 Iron Hills Conference 'A' Championship.
- Marching Band—In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 the West Essex Marching Knights have been ranked by TOB as one of the top 25 Bands on the East Coast. 2007 they were also the TOB chapter X champions in 2004 and 2005. The 2007 Marching Band placed 9th place in the Atlantic Coast Championships. Never in West Essex History has the Marching Band placed top 10 in ACCs. In 2008 the Marching Knights finished 8th at ACC's as well as a 4th place color guard and an award for the best overall woodwind section.
- Wessex Wire school newspaper—Won multiple awards from Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Garden State Scholastic Press Association, and other student journalism organizations.
- Roundtable literary magazine—Won multiple awards from Columbia Scholastic Press Association and other literary organizations.
- Milestone yearbook
- Additionally, there are many academic-based clubs (i.e. Italian Club, Robotics Team) and service-oriented clubs such as WE CARE (environment), WE HELP (community service), and WE STOP (peer leadership). WE also has a variety of arts-based groups, such as the art club, the Masquers theater group, the jazz choir, the girls a cappella choir (Ladies Knight), and a dance team.
- Administration
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Core members of the school's administration are:
- Principal - Barbara Longo
- Vice Principals - Juliann Hoebee and Ray Rotella
- Alma Mater
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Knights of West Essex, Proudly We Stand
Striving for glory; honor we demand.
Fighting for victory, we'll always be
True to West Essex with Strength and Loyalty
Hail to West Essex, long may you reign;
Our Alma Mater, we uphold your name.
Schools have their banners, some dull or bright,
But we'll always show our pride for the
Wessex RED and WHITE. - West Essex in popular culture
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West Essex is mentioned in the HBO hit series The Sopranos. North Caldwell, the town where Tony Soprano and his family reside in the show, is also where West Essex is located. In the first episode of the show, a character mentions he attended the high school shortly before being murdered by Christopher Moltisanti over a garbage disposal dispute. The town and school are mentioned numerous times in the show. The show is also filmed all over North Caldwell and the surrounding towns.
- Notable alumni
- Members of Cash Cash
- Bob Bradley (born 1958), Current US Men's Soccer National Team Coach, former MLS Chicago Fire and NY/NJ Metrostars head coach.
- Rob Burnett (born 1962), television writer, creator of Ed.
- David Chase (born 1945), creator of The Sopranos.
- Christian Ferrara 2004 NFL Draft Choice, San Francisco 49ers.
- Joe Piscopo (born 1951), Saturday Night Live, Comedian.
- Ronald T. Raines (born 1958), scientist and educator.
- Josh Saviano (born 1976), played Paul Pfeiffer on The Wonder Years
- Michelle Thomas (1968-1998), played Myra on Family Matters.
- Michelle Vizzuso (born 1977), former field hockey player.
- Bill Wosilius, DE Syracuse University 1963-1966. St. Louis Cardinals N.F.L. 1967-1968.
- Brian Pressman (born 1979), All-State Track & Field, 200 meter dash, 1997.
- Notable faculty
- Michelle Morano
- Lynn Bailey (Credited Poet, Studied with Poet Laureate Billy Collins)
- Jeff Boyd (Nationally renowned History Teacher/Specializing in Genocide)
- Jill Cosse (Nationally recognized Field Hockey and Lacrosse Coach)
- Timothy Glenn, 2004 New Jersey boys lacrosse coach of the year.
- Tom Kenny (NJ Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year)
- Rod Trafford (NFL Player St. Louis Rams)
- Bill Wosilius (NFL Player, St. Louis Cardinals)
- External links
- West Essex Regional School District
- Data for West Essex Senior High School, National Center for Education Statistics
- Source: Wikipedia; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.
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