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 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
~Margaret Mead
Take a walk through the hallways of Ridge Ranch School, a 1998 Blue Ribbon National School of Excellence and 1996 New Jersey Star School, and you will discover a uniquely inviting, child-centered environment created by a highly skilled staff and supported by concerned parents. Our commitment to student success drives the quality planning and practices that enhance a well-conceived curriculum. The exuberance and vitality of this dedicated learning community are evidenced in the sights and sounds that permeate our school.
A first glance of our building reveals an outdoor showcase housing a sixteen-foot banner, which artistically captures community interest in our school's yearly theme. Strolling through the corridors you will be immediately captivated by imaginative learning displays constructed by students, teachers, and parents. Life-sized murals depicting animals and fairy tale characters also delight youngsters and adults alike. School pride surrounds the many parent volunteers, who appear daily to assist in a variety of instructional and support programs, such as Art Expo, Lunchtime Reading Programs, and Mini-Courses. Learning is an active process with students, not merely as passive recipients of knowledge, but as shapers of their own growth. Student leadership and responsibility are fostered through participatory programs: Peer Mediation, a Lunch Safety Program, and a Student Tech Team.
Within the past several years Ridge Ranch School has created a shared vision of Optimal Match. We believe that, when the pacing, breadth, and depth of academic challenge are responsive to each student's readiness to proceed and when the student feels both supported and challenged, an Optimal Match has been achieved. To accomplish this goal we strive to personalize instruction to meet the needs of students while raising our school's standards for performance. This is evidenced throughout the school through spirited staff discussions addressing the values inherent in our mission: meeting the needs of the whole child, designing real life applications of instructional concepts, fostering the values of caring and respect, and creating an atmosphere that will inspire youngsters to extend their learning beyond school time and beyond school years.
As our school faces the challenges of a new millennium, we take pride in our traditi ons, innovations, and achievements. Energized by the possibilities that lie ahead, we see ourselves as a small group of thoughtful and committed people, determined to create a preferred future for our students by holding onto our strong values, maintaining a clear vision, and being inspired by far reaching goals. |
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