Leonia High School

LHS Overview

 

Leonia High School Overview
100 Christie Heights Street * (201) 302-5200 * FAX (201)461-8957

 

Edward Bertolini
Leonia High School
Principal
(201) 302-5200, ext. 5200 
bertolini@leoniaschools.org  

           

Ellen Hausner
Leonia High School 
Vice Principal
(201) 302-5200, ext. 5201
hausner@leoniaschools.org 

   
NJ School Report Card 2008-2009 School Year   

Approximately 625 students from both Edgewater and Leonia are enrolled in grades 9-12 at Leonia High School.  We offer a varied program of studies designed to meet students’ individual needs and goals.  The opportunity to participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities complements a demanding curriculum. A $6 million expansion was completed in 2001.  At that time, we added several new classrooms, a large, modern, spacious music room, a cutting-edge, digital TV Media workshop, an architecture and drafting classroom, and state-of-the art science laboratories.  Since then, we have added an Early Childhood Center to the campus, housed in two separate buildings. High school students assist the Early Childhood Center’s teachers throughout the school day as part of the high school’s Child Development program.

Recognizing the benefits of inclusion for our special education population, we implement a collaborative teaching model that enables us to mainstream our special education students.  In addition to the main stream special education population, the high school also provides a comprehensive program for a class of Multiple Disabled students. Although self-contained for a majority of the day, the MD students participate in all school activities, including the annual Senior Week celebration.

At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, the Evergreen Program of Bergen County Special Services moved to the high school. As with our other special education programs, inclusion is an important component of an Evergreen student’s schedule.

For two years, beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, the faculty members have participated in an extensive curricula review. After school faculty meetings and in-house workshops have been dedicated to this curricula review effort.  The curricula review will ensure that we continue to meet the needs or our students, prepare them for post-high school life experiences and that our curriculum is in alignment with the New Jersey Core Content Curriculum Standards. 

This year, the Senior Experience became part of the high school Program of Studies. The Senior Experience allows members of the senior class to select from a group of senior-only classes, including Hospitality/Event Planning, Yearbook and Athletic Life. In addition, the students will have an option of enrolling in college courses on-campus or on-line, volunteer for community service or select a SIP (Senior Individualized Program), which allows a senior to study an area of interest currently not part of the school’s Program of Studies. Arabic, Japanese, the culinary arts, boat architecture are a few of the SIPs that seniors are participating in this year.

Another example of our goal to meet the needs of our students is the Leonia Academy for Science. Now in its sixth year, the Leonia Academy for Science offers students a rigorous curriculum with specific emphasis in the areas of science and mathematics.  “Hands-on” in methodology, students enjoy extended laboratory periods, frequent field trips a junior year exploratory experience and a senior year internship program.

Leonia High School takes pride in the diversity of its student population.  “We Are All Americans Day” celebrates the uniqueness of our different cultures while recognizing that we all are part of the American culture.  The day’s activities and events include poetry-readings, music and dance performances, history lessons, and a day-long smorgasbord buffet.

As a charter member of “Re-inventing New Jersey High Schools,” the district has further examined student transitions in the 6th and 9th grades.  Freshmen only courses were established with a focus on literacy and writing. We continue to facilitate a year-long 9th grade orientation program, focusing on the transition from middle to high school and the student’s self-esteem.  Part of the 9th grade orientation program is a Peer Leadership Program where juniors and seniors mentor freshmen in small groups throughout the school year. Starting in September 2006, we introduced to the students an Academic Center where, on a voluntary, “as needed” basis, they may receive assistance with their class assignments from a member of the faculty. In addition, after-school peer tutoring is available to the students in the Academic Center.  Through these, and related initiatives, Leonia High School seeks to engage all of our students with learning appropriate to 21st century challenges.  

Notice To Parents:

If it is necessary to request a deferred assignment for your son/daughter due to the observance of a religious holiday, please send a written note to the Principal making that request. The note should be sent approximately one week before the religious holiday so that all the appropriate staff members can be notified.