East Brook Middle School serves approximately 650 students in grades 5 through 8.  East Brook, one of two middle schools in the nationally recognized school district of Paramus, offers a comprehensive program that meets the diverse needs of its students.  We believe that we have an outstanding middle school that promotes intellectual achievements, but also tends to the social, emotional, and physical needs of our adolescents.   We are very proud of our dedicated faculty, a committed student body, and a supportive community.  

Our professional staff of over 60 teachers provides instruction in all academic areas including foreign language, as well as in the areas of art, vocal and instrumental music, physical education, computers, enrichment, speech, and special education.  Intensive professional development of teachers is encouraged through the offering of workshops, conferences and courses, in district as well as out of district, during the school year and during the summer.

East Brook has two Computer Labs, a Video-Computer Graphics Lab, a computerized Library/Media Center, outstanding Music facilities for Band, Orchestra, and Chorus, an Art Lab and a separate auditorium.

The purpose of our curriculum is to help students learn by developing their intellectual, creative, and physical potential through a student-centered approach to instruction.  Our program is responsive to the needs and abilities of the early adolescent learner.  It attends to both the mastery of basic skills and higher cognitive processes, including problem solving and drawing conclusions.  The instructional program seeks to have all students experience frequent academic success and provides a variety of learning experiences.  Teachers at East Brook seek to motivate their pupils to view learning as both enjoyable and challenging.

The Carnegie Report entitled “Turning Points” recommends that middle schools become “small communities where stable, close, mutually respectful relationships are fostered.”  One key element of such a community is the formulation of middle school teams.  At East Brook, interdisciplinary teams are established at all grade levels.  The teams share the same block schedule and meet regularly to plan and coordinate learning activities and appropriate interdisciplinary lessons and units.  The team also provides a major guidance function and will complement the work of guidance counselors at East Brook.  

Special Programs include:

Our ESL (English as a Second Language) Program is available for students in all grades.  

A Gifted & Talented Program is offered to selected students, while all students are offered enrichment experiences.

Our Special Education Program includes a resource center, an Academic Support program, and collaborative instruction to meet the individual needs of our students.  

Our 6th grade students participate in the Buehler Challenger Space Center Program.

An Accelerated Math Program is available in grades 6 & 7.  Both Algebra College Prep and Algebra Honors for high school credit are offered at the 8th grade level.

An Advisor-Advisee Program is offered in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8.   Every other Friday morning, students spend 30 minutes with their advisory group discussing issues relevant to the lives of adolescents.

The Washington DC Experience is a curriculum related educational experience offered to all 8th grade students.

Foreign Language 1st Year High School Program including German, Italian and Spanish is offered to 8th grade students.   Spanish is offered in grades 5, 6, 7.

Student Achievement/Awards and Honors:

8th grade students annually receive the Presidents Award for Educational Excellence.

The East Brook Math Counts Team, made up of 8th grade students, participates at the regional competition held at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Our students are accepted into the Bergen County Middle School Band, the All North Jersey Intermediate Band, and the North Jersey Region I Orchestra.

Our students qualify annually for the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.  

7th and 8th grade students qualify to participate in the Johns Hopkins Talent Search and have received awards for outstanding performance.

Staff Recognition:

One teacher has been recognized annually since 1985 for the Governor's Teacher Recognition Award.

Parent Involvement:

We have a very active parent organization at East Brook.  Our parents are involved in the following:  sponsor assembly programs, social events for students and parents, programs for fund raising, and special programs for students and staff.  A number of them serve on the PTA Executive Committee and various school committees.  They also volunteer to assist at student school functions and in the Media Center. 

STAFF MEMBERS...OUR GREATEST RESOURCE

The majority of the professional staff members in East Brook Middle School have earned Master's degrees.  In addition they have received honors, scholarships, grants, and other recognition for their involvement and service in many organizations and in their studies at the post-graduate level.

Many of our East Brook staff members are involved in a variety of professional, civic and service organizations holding office and positions of leadership in these organizations.

CORE CURRICULUM AND CONTENT STANDARDS