PATERSON — The city’s magnet program for “gifted and talented” students was named New Jersey’s top-rated elementary and middle school last week by U.S. News & World Report.
School 28 won the same honor in 2021. It was also named a “blue ribbon school” by the U.S. Department of Education in 2018 and “a distinguished school” by state education officials in 2016.
Director Nancy Castro said she was “humbled” by the top position in New Jersey.
“This prestigious honor is the result of the hard work and dedication of the entire community,” Castro said in a news release from the city school district Monday afternoon. “I am deeply grateful for the collective efforts of our students, their families and staff.”
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School 28 functions as a traditional neighborhood school for children from the lower classes. But students who want to participate in the gifted program, which includes all grades two through eight, must go through a rigorous application process.
I want to expand the success of School 28 elsewhere
Members of the Paterson Board of Education and local education advocates said they would like to find ways to duplicate School 28’s success elsewhere in the city.
“We certainly need to look at ways to expand this program,” board Vice President Kenneth Simmons said, suggesting there might be “gifted and talented” school centers in each of Paterson’s six neighborhoods.
Rosie Grant, executive director of the Paterson Education Foundation advocacy group, said the district should adopt some of School 28’s best practices at other schools, including smaller class sizes and advanced certifications for teachers.
Rosie Grant, executive director of the Paterson Education Foundation advocacy group, said the district should adopt some of School 28’s best practices at other schools, including smaller class sizes and advanced certifications for teachers.
“Let’s try to benefit all our children,” Grant said.
School 28 came in at the top of the U.S. News list for public school districts. The media company ranked School 28 at the top in math scores in middle school, first in reading and math in elementary school, and second in reading in middle school.
The school, located at the corner of Presidential Boulevard and Temple Street in the 1st Ward, has approximately 484 students. About half of them are in the lower grades and do not participate in the standardized state tests. The rest are part of the gifted program.
US News said the rankings are based on a formula. “Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half integrated the test results in the context of socio-economic demographics,” the release said.
The Paterson district is among the worst performing in New Jersey
School 28 managed to win awards despite the fact that the Paterson district is among the lowest performing districts in New Jersey.
School board chairman Manny Martinez said the top spot was a reflection of what he described as the potential of city students.
Paterson’s School 28, which has the city’s program for gifted and talented students, was ranked first in NJ by US News and World Reoport.
“They don’t lack capacity. Sometimes they miss the opportunities,” Martinez said. “But when they get a chance to shine, they always jump at the opportunity.”
Superintendent Laurie Newell echoed Martinez’s assessment. “The dedication of the staff and the hard work of the students have created a learning environment that truly exemplifies excellence,” she said.
Paterson launched its elementary school program for gifted students in 2012. Castro has been director for more than ten years.
“She is a great principal, focused on academic achievement,” said Grace Giglio, president of the union representing Paterson principals.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson high school ranked No. 1 in NJ by US News
