Ridgewood High School (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Ridgewood High School is a four-year comprehensive
public high school
serving students from Ridgewood
, in Bergen County
, New Jersey
, United States, operating as part of the Ridgewood Public Schools
.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,659 students and 103 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 16.11.
. The building was designed by the noted architectural firm of Tracy and Swartwout
, who also designed the Missouri State Capitol
building.
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
, the highest award an American school can receive.
In the 2011 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post
, the school was ranked 27th in New Jersey and 917th nationwide. In Newsweek
's May 22, 2007 issue, ranking the country's top high schools, Ridgewood High School was listed in 549th place, the tenth-highest ranked school in New Jersey. The school was ranked 472 in Newsweek's May 8, 2006, issue, listing the Top 1,200 High Schools in The United States, and was ranked 323 in Newsweek's 2005 survey.
The school was the 20th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly
magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 7th in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was ranked 24th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which included 316 schools across the state.
, following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
. Before then, Ridgewood High School was one of the public high schools from Bergen, Essex
and Passaic
counties that were members of the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League
. The school's sports teams are nicknamed the Maroons. Ridgewood High School athletics are broadcast locally on RHS-TV Sports, a student-produced sports television network, every Tuesday night at 8PM throughout the school year.
On December 7, 1991, Ridgewood, under coach Chuck Johnson, defeated North Bergen High School
in football to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
(NJSIAA) North I Group IV State Championship, the first ever for the Maroons. In 2003, the football team defeated Morristown High School
35-6 in the NJSIAA North I Group IV Championship game at Giants Stadium
. In 2004, the football team repeated the feat by defeating Hackensack High School
27-20, again at Giants Stadium
.
The boys lacrosse team has won state championships in 1990 (vs. Arthur L. Johnson High School
) and 1991 (Montclair High School), along with Group III championships in 2004 (Westfield High School
), 2006 (Randolph High School
), 2008 (Montgomery High School) and 2009 (Shawnee High School).
Ridgewood Softball, coached by Debbie Paul, won the 2005 Bergen County Championship and 2006 North I Group IV State Sectional Championship, defeating Bloomfield High School by 3-0.
In 2007, the Boy's Tennis Team won their second State Sectionals title in three years, defeating Livingston High School
3-2 to win the North I, Group IV championship. The 2008 Boys Tennis Team won their third consecutive North I, Group IV state sectional championship with a 4-1 win in the tournament final over Livingston High School
. In 2009, the Maroons defeated Bergen Tech 4-1 at Paramus High School for their fourth consecutive North I Group IV state sectional championship.
In 2007, the Girl's Indoor Track and Field team came in 2nd nationally for the Shuttle Hurdle Relay. That same year, the team were North I, Group IV champions barely edging out East Orange Campus High School
in a thrilling final 4X400m race. Although not running as fast as they did in 2007, the team came 1st in 2008 for the Shuttle Hurdles at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships
. In 2008, the Boy's Outdoor Track and Field team placed 6th nationally in the Sprint Medley Relay, the only sprint team to place at Nationals for RHS so far despite numerous previous Top 6 finishes in the Distance Medley Relay.
In 2010, the Girls' Lacrosse Team won the Tournament of Champions
with a 7-6 win against West Morris Mendham High School
. They also won in 2011 with a comeback against rival Moorsetown, winning 10-9
The Ridgewood boys cross country team has won Group IV state championships in 1991 and 1992. The team, headed by Coach Mike Glynn since the 1970s (with the exception of a two-year break), has won multiple titles at the Bergen County Meet of Champions since the 1990s, earning Glynn recognition from The Record
in 2010 as its Coach of the Decade. Notable runners in previous years include Joe Lemay, who went on to represent the United States at the World Half Marathon Championships and the World Cross-Country Championships, and Bob Keino (son of Kenyan Olympian Kip Keino), who won the New Jersey State Meet of Champions in both 1992 and 1993. Taro Shigenobu qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals in 2008, and was recognized by The Record as its runner of the year in 2009 and as part of its All-Decade team in 2010, joining Michael Cator, Byron Williams and Ari Zamir on its list of top Bergen County runners. The girls team won Group IV titles in 1980, 1992, 1998 and 1999, and won individual Group IV championships in 1984, 1993, 1997 and 2001.
Girl's soccer coach Jeff Yearing, in his 25th year of coaching, won his 400th career game in September 2011, placing him second among all active Bergen County coaches.
, the school's fields often flood during heavy rains and spring runoff.
The three Curricular Bands are the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. Henry Heyzer conducts the Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band is an entry-level band where students focus on sharpening their skills in rhythm, pitch, and balance. The use of method books and exercises is supplemented by appropriate concert selections (Level 2.5 to 3), and these skills are developed in an enjoyable environment.
In Concert Band, a mid-range ensemble, there is emphasis on building knowledge of phrasing and characteristic tonality. There is also a greater emphasis on technical ability. Jeffrey Haas conducts both this ensemble and the Wind Ensemble. Selections are normally from Levels 3 to 4.5. Students in Concert Band have the opportunity to play traditional orchestral literature in Symphonic Orchestra. The Wind Ensemble places a great emphasis on developing a sense of musical maturity appropriate to college/professional literature (Levels 5 and 6), so technical ability is a prerequisite for admission. Students have the opportunity to play in Chamber Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble's orchestral equivalent. Members of Wind Ensemble are regularly selected for Bergen County Band, with Ridgewood High among those schools sending the largest number of students to County Band each year. Members of Wind Ensemble are also regularly selected for Region I Band, which encompasses all of North Jersey. Over the years, Ridgewood High School has sent band students to All-State and All-Eastern Ensembles.
The two jazz ensembles, the Big Band and Jazz Lab, perform throughout the year and compete in International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE)
-sanctioned competitions. The jazz ensembles also frequently perform with guest artists. Past guests include jazz greats such as Chris Vadalla and Conrad Herwig
. Members of the RHS jazz ensembles are regularly selected for the Region I Jazz Ensemble and All-State Jazz Ensemble.
The RHS Marching Band won second place at the USSBA NJ State Championships in 2005. The band has also won USSBA All-States Championship titles in 1992 and 1997. The uniforms are similar to The Cadets
.
In 2010, 21 Ridgewood High School band members were selected to perform in the 2010 All Bergen County Band, the most ever chosen from one school. More than 350 students from around the county auditioned for 85 positions in the performing ensemble that recognizes the best high school musicians in Bergen County.
The Orchestras, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Symphonic Orchestra, are all conducted by Kristi Gaspari, who replaced Amy Hotto in late 2009. Chamber Orchestra is the highest level of the three, and plays intermediate level literature. Many of its students are accepted into Region and All-State Orchestra. The Concert Orchestra is a middle-level orchestra focused on developing and expanding skills and playing styles. The Symphonic Orchestra is an entry-level orchestra. Some of the RHS string students attend pre-college programs in New York City at places such as the Manhattan School of Music
.
Steven Borque serves as the choral director. There are a total of three curricular and two extra-curricular vocal ensembles at Ridgewood High. The Chamber Choir is a high-level choir that focuses on mastery of musical ability. It regularly wins accolades for the choral program, performing challenging SATB and SAB literature. The Concert Choir is the entry-level SATB/SAB choir, performing exciting works and focusing on improving musical ability. The Chorale is an entry-level all-women's choir, performing two-part (SA) literature. There are also extra-curricular vocal ensembles: the Madrigals and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Comprehensive high school
Comprehensive high schools are the most common form of public high schools in the United States and are meant to serve the needs of all students, as compared to the common practice in other nations in which examinations are used to sort students into different high schools for different populations...
public high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
serving students from Ridgewood
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village population was 24,958. Ridgewood is an affluent suburban bedroom community of New York City, located approximately northwest of Midtown Manhattan.The Village of Ridgewood was...
, in Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States, operating as part of the Ridgewood Public Schools
Ridgewood Public Schools
The Ridgewood Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district serving students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade from suburban Ridgewood, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....
.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,659 students and 103 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 16.11.
Architecture
Composed of one central building, which, along with the original gym, was completed in 1919 at a total cost of $285,000, the building features brick walls, a slate roof and other stone features. The building was planned to be opened at an earlier date but it was postponed because of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The building was designed by the noted architectural firm of Tracy and Swartwout
Tracy and Swartwout
Tracy and Swartwout was a prominent New York architectural firm headed by Evarts Tracy and Egerton Swartwout. Tracy was the son of first cousins Jeremiah Evarts Tracy and Martha Sherman Greene. His paternal grandmother Martha Sherman Evarts and maternal grandmother Mary Evarts were the sisters of...
, who also designed the Missouri State Capitol
Missouri State Capitol
The Missouri State Capitol is located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Housing the Missouri General Assembly, it is located in the state capital of Jefferson City at 201 West Capitol Avenue. The domed building was designed by the New York architectural firm of Tracy and Swartwout and completed in 1917...
building.
Awards and recognition
During the 1986-87 school year, Ridgewood High School was awarded the Blue Ribbon SchoolBlue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
, the highest award an American school can receive.
In the 2011 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, the school was ranked 27th in New Jersey and 917th nationwide. In Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
's May 22, 2007 issue, ranking the country's top high schools, Ridgewood High School was listed in 549th place, the tenth-highest ranked school in New Jersey. The school was ranked 472 in Newsweek's May 8, 2006, issue, listing the Top 1,200 High Schools in The United States, and was ranked 323 in Newsweek's 2005 survey.
The school was the 20th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly is a monthly glossy publication featuring issues of possible interest to residents of the United States state of New Jersey...
magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 7th in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was ranked 24th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which included 316 schools across the state.
Athletics
Ridgewood High School now competes in the Big North ConferenceBig North Conference
The Big North Conference is a high school athletic conference in New Jersey. It is one of six North Jersey "super athletic conferences" created by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association in 2009...
, following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...
. Before then, Ridgewood High School was one of the public high schools from Bergen, Essex
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
and Passaic
Passaic County, New Jersey
Passaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 501,226. Its county seat is Paterson...
counties that were members of the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League
Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League
The Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League, abbreviated NNJIL, was a former athletic conference located in Bergen County, Passaic County and Essex County, New Jersey...
. The school's sports teams are nicknamed the Maroons. Ridgewood High School athletics are broadcast locally on RHS-TV Sports, a student-produced sports television network, every Tuesday night at 8PM throughout the school year.
On December 7, 1991, Ridgewood, under coach Chuck Johnson, defeated North Bergen High School
North Bergen High School
North Bergen High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade from North Bergen, in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the North Bergen School District....
in football to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...
(NJSIAA) North I Group IV State Championship, the first ever for the Maroons. In 2003, the football team defeated Morristown High School
Morristown High School
Morristown High School is a four-year public high school serving students in grades 9 - 12 from three communities in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Morris School District...
35-6 in the NJSIAA North I Group IV Championship game at Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
. In 2004, the football team repeated the feat by defeating Hackensack High School
Hackensack High School
Hackensack High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Hackensack Public Schools...
27-20, again at Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
.
The boys lacrosse team has won state championships in 1990 (vs. Arthur L. Johnson High School
Arthur L. Johnson High School
Arthur L. Johnson High School is a four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Clark, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Clark Public School District...
) and 1991 (Montclair High School), along with Group III championships in 2004 (Westfield High School
Westfield High School (New Jersey)
Westfield Senior High School, or simply, Westfield High School is the only public high school located in Westfield, in Union County, New Jersey, operating as part of the Westfield Public Schools. It was established in the early 1900s at its original location on Elm Street until 1951 when it was...
), 2006 (Randolph High School
Randolph High School (New Jersey)
Randolph High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving students in grades nine through twelve from Randolph, in Morris County, New Jersey, operating as part of the Randolph Township Schools. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and...
), 2008 (Montgomery High School) and 2009 (Shawnee High School).
Ridgewood Softball, coached by Debbie Paul, won the 2005 Bergen County Championship and 2006 North I Group IV State Sectional Championship, defeating Bloomfield High School by 3-0.
In 2007, the Boy's Tennis Team won their second State Sectionals title in three years, defeating Livingston High School
Livingston High School (New Jersey)
Livingston High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Livingston, in Essex County, New Jersey, operating as part of the Livingston Public Schools. It receives all eighth grade graduates from Heritage Middle School...
3-2 to win the North I, Group IV championship. The 2008 Boys Tennis Team won their third consecutive North I, Group IV state sectional championship with a 4-1 win in the tournament final over Livingston High School
Livingston High School (New Jersey)
Livingston High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Livingston, in Essex County, New Jersey, operating as part of the Livingston Public Schools. It receives all eighth grade graduates from Heritage Middle School...
. In 2009, the Maroons defeated Bergen Tech 4-1 at Paramus High School for their fourth consecutive North I Group IV state sectional championship.
In 2007, the Girl's Indoor Track and Field team came in 2nd nationally for the Shuttle Hurdle Relay. That same year, the team were North I, Group IV champions barely edging out East Orange Campus High School
East Orange Campus High School
East Orange Campus High School is a public high school located in the city of East Orange, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in grades 10-12, located in the former campus of Upsala College. The school is part of the East Orange School District, classified as an Abbott...
in a thrilling final 4X400m race. Although not running as fast as they did in 2007, the team came 1st in 2008 for the Shuttle Hurdles at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships
National Scholastic Indoor Championships
The National Scholastic Indoor Championships or "NSIC" are, along with Nike Indoor Nationals, one of two American high school national championship indoor track and field meets. High school participants from across the country compete for the honor of being named NSIC high school All-America...
. In 2008, the Boy's Outdoor Track and Field team placed 6th nationally in the Sprint Medley Relay, the only sprint team to place at Nationals for RHS so far despite numerous previous Top 6 finishes in the Distance Medley Relay.
In 2010, the Girls' Lacrosse Team won the Tournament of Champions
Tournament of Champions (NJSIAA)
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament of Champions is the sports tournament for New Jersey high schools that determines which high school will be crowned as the #1 overall team in the state for each sport...
with a 7-6 win against West Morris Mendham High School
West Morris Mendham High School
West Morris Mendham High School is a four-year comprehensive regional public high school that serves students in ninth though twelfth grade as part of the West Morris Regional High School District. The school is located in Mendham Borough, New Jersey, United States...
. They also won in 2011 with a comeback against rival Moorsetown, winning 10-9
The Ridgewood boys cross country team has won Group IV state championships in 1991 and 1992. The team, headed by Coach Mike Glynn since the 1970s (with the exception of a two-year break), has won multiple titles at the Bergen County Meet of Champions since the 1990s, earning Glynn recognition from The Record
The Record (Bergen County)
The Record is a newspaper in northern New Jersey. It has the second largest circulation of New Jersey's daily newspapers, behind The Star-Ledger. Owned by the Borg family since 1930, it is the flagship publication of the North Jersey Media Group. Stephen Borg is the publisher of The Record...
in 2010 as its Coach of the Decade. Notable runners in previous years include Joe Lemay, who went on to represent the United States at the World Half Marathon Championships and the World Cross-Country Championships, and Bob Keino (son of Kenyan Olympian Kip Keino), who won the New Jersey State Meet of Champions in both 1992 and 1993. Taro Shigenobu qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals in 2008, and was recognized by The Record as its runner of the year in 2009 and as part of its All-Decade team in 2010, joining Michael Cator, Byron Williams and Ari Zamir on its list of top Bergen County runners. The girls team won Group IV titles in 1980, 1992, 1998 and 1999, and won individual Group IV championships in 1984, 1993, 1997 and 2001.
Girl's soccer coach Jeff Yearing, in his 25th year of coaching, won his 400th career game in September 2011, placing him second among all active Bergen County coaches.
Campus
The newest part of the school, the state of the art Science wing, was completed in 2001 and contains 15 laboratory classrooms, three computer labs and a new industrial arts center. A new fitness center, gymnasium, and multipurpose room, the Campus Center, were also included in the renovation. Due to their proximity to the Ho-Ho-Kus BrookHo-Ho-Kus Brook
Ho-Ho-Kus Brook is a tributary of the Saddle River in Bergen County, New Jersey in the United States.Ho-Ho-Kus Brook originates in Mahwah and joins the Saddle River at the Dunkerhook area of Saddle River County Park...
, the school's fields often flood during heavy rains and spring runoff.
Music
Ridgewood High School's Music department offers three orchestras, three choirs, three concert bands, a marching band, two jazz ensembles, and numerous small ensembles. Ridgewood High School was named a Grammy Signature School in 2004.The three Curricular Bands are the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. Henry Heyzer conducts the Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band is an entry-level band where students focus on sharpening their skills in rhythm, pitch, and balance. The use of method books and exercises is supplemented by appropriate concert selections (Level 2.5 to 3), and these skills are developed in an enjoyable environment.
In Concert Band, a mid-range ensemble, there is emphasis on building knowledge of phrasing and characteristic tonality. There is also a greater emphasis on technical ability. Jeffrey Haas conducts both this ensemble and the Wind Ensemble. Selections are normally from Levels 3 to 4.5. Students in Concert Band have the opportunity to play traditional orchestral literature in Symphonic Orchestra. The Wind Ensemble places a great emphasis on developing a sense of musical maturity appropriate to college/professional literature (Levels 5 and 6), so technical ability is a prerequisite for admission. Students have the opportunity to play in Chamber Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble's orchestral equivalent. Members of Wind Ensemble are regularly selected for Bergen County Band, with Ridgewood High among those schools sending the largest number of students to County Band each year. Members of Wind Ensemble are also regularly selected for Region I Band, which encompasses all of North Jersey. Over the years, Ridgewood High School has sent band students to All-State and All-Eastern Ensembles.
The two jazz ensembles, the Big Band and Jazz Lab, perform throughout the year and compete in International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE)
International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE)
International Association for Jazz Education , formerly a not-for-profit corporation based in Manhattan, Kansas, was a volunteer-run organization that, among other things, allocated student scholarships through its approved festivals program. Its annual conference was a gathering point for...
-sanctioned competitions. The jazz ensembles also frequently perform with guest artists. Past guests include jazz greats such as Chris Vadalla and Conrad Herwig
Conrad Herwig
Conrad Herwig is a jazz trombonist from New York City in the United States. He has recorded 20 albums as a leader.-Biography:He began his career in Clark Terry's band in the early 1980s and has been a featured member in the Joe Henderson Sextet, Tom Harrell’s Septet and Big Band, and the Joe...
. Members of the RHS jazz ensembles are regularly selected for the Region I Jazz Ensemble and All-State Jazz Ensemble.
The RHS Marching Band won second place at the USSBA NJ State Championships in 2005. The band has also won USSBA All-States Championship titles in 1992 and 1997. The uniforms are similar to The Cadets
The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps
The Cadets are a Drum Corps International World Class drum and bugle corps based in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
.
In 2010, 21 Ridgewood High School band members were selected to perform in the 2010 All Bergen County Band, the most ever chosen from one school. More than 350 students from around the county auditioned for 85 positions in the performing ensemble that recognizes the best high school musicians in Bergen County.
The Orchestras, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Symphonic Orchestra, are all conducted by Kristi Gaspari, who replaced Amy Hotto in late 2009. Chamber Orchestra is the highest level of the three, and plays intermediate level literature. Many of its students are accepted into Region and All-State Orchestra. The Concert Orchestra is a middle-level orchestra focused on developing and expanding skills and playing styles. The Symphonic Orchestra is an entry-level orchestra. Some of the RHS string students attend pre-college programs in New York City at places such as the Manhattan School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music is a major music conservatory located on the Upper West Side of New York City. The school offers degrees on the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in the areas of classical and jazz performance and composition...
.
Steven Borque serves as the choral director. There are a total of three curricular and two extra-curricular vocal ensembles at Ridgewood High. The Chamber Choir is a high-level choir that focuses on mastery of musical ability. It regularly wins accolades for the choral program, performing challenging SATB and SAB literature. The Concert Choir is the entry-level SATB/SAB choir, performing exciting works and focusing on improving musical ability. The Chorale is an entry-level all-women's choir, performing two-part (SA) literature. There are also extra-curricular vocal ensembles: the Madrigals and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Administration
Core members of the school's administration are:- John Lorenz, Principal
- Jeffrey Nyhuis, Assistant Principal: Guidance, Curriculum and Instruction
- Basil Pizzuto, Assistant Principal: Administration and Student Services
Noted alumni
- Robert T. BakkerRobert T. BakkerRobert T. Bakker is an American paleontologist who helped reshape modern theories about dinosaurs, particularly by adding support to the theory that some dinosaurs were endothermic...
(born 1945), paleontologist. - MC Paul BarmanMC Paul BarmanPaul Nathaniel Barman better known as MC Paul Barman is a Jewish- American emcee from Ridgewood, New Jersey, who attended Brown University....
(born 1974), rapper. - Andrew DalyAndrew DalyAndrew "Andy" Daly is an American actor, comedian and writer best known for playing Principal Terrence Cutler in the HBO comedy series Eastbound & Down.-Early life:Daly was born in Mount Kisco, New York and raised in New Jersey...
(born 1971), actor/comedian. - Willie GeistWillie GeistWilliam "Willie" Geist is host of MSNBC's Way Too Early with Willie Geist, a co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and contributor to several NBC News programs. Geist also hosts a satirical video blog on MSNBC.com called Zeitgeist...
(born 1975), co-host, MSNBCMSNBCMSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
's Morning JoeMorning JoeMorning Joe is a weekday morning talk show on MSNBC, with Joe Scarborough discussing the news of the day in a panel format with co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist. It was created as the replacement for Imus in the Morning, which was canceled in April 2007 after simulcasting on MSNBC since 1996...
. - Chris KobinChris KobinChris Kobin is a screenwriter and film producer living in Los Angeles, California.-Personal:Kobin, a graduate of Ridgewood High School , Macalester College and Loyola Law School, turned down an offer from a Century City law firm and became a car salesman while trying to break into Hollywood...
writer/producer - Robert Sean LeonardRobert Sean LeonardRobert Sean Leonard is an American actor, who has regularly starred in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Since 2004 he has played the role of Dr. James Wilson on the TV series House...
(born 1969), actor who started acting while at the school and was given work study credit for his theatrical work. - Andrew MaguireAndrew MaguireGene Andrew Maguire is the Executive Director of The GAVI Fund's Immunize Every Child Campaign. He was a Democratic politician who represented New Jersey's 7th congressional district from 1975 to 1981.-Biography:...
(born 1939), politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who represented New Jersey's 7th congressional districtNew Jersey's 7th congressional districtNew Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Leonard Lance.In the 2008 election, Mike Ferguson did not seek another term. Linda Stender won the Democratic nomination unopposed, while Republican primary voters chose State Senator Leonard Lance in a field of...
from 1975 to 1981. - Richard MuenzRichard MuenzRichard Muenz is an American actor and baritone who is mostly known for his work within American theatre. Muenz has frequently performed in musicals and in concerts. He has also periodically acted on television.-Biography:...
(born 1948), actor. - Kim NgKim NgKim Ng is an American executive in Major League Baseball. She is currently the Senior Vice-President for Baseball Operations with Major League Baseball.-Career:...
(born 1968), Major League Baseball official. - James "Buddy" Nielsen (born 1984), musician Senses FailSenses FailSenses Fail is an American post-hardcore band from Ridgewood, New Jersey. Formed in 2002, the line up initially consisted of vocalist Buddy Nielsen, drummer Dan Trapp, guitarists Dave Miller and Garrett Zablocki and being completed by bassist Mike Glita. The band quickly issued their debut EP, From...
. - Nelson RiddleNelson RiddleNelson Smock Riddle, Jr. was an American arranger, composer, bandleader and orchestrator whose career stretched from the late 1940s to the mid 1980s...
(1921–85), bandleader, arranger and orchestrator. - Thomas M. Ryan, Jr.Thomas M. Ryan, Jr.General Thomas Martin Ryan, Jr. is a retired United States Air Force four star general who served as Commander, Air Training Command from 1981 to 1983 and as Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command from 1983 to 1985.Ryan was born in 1928, in Detroit and graduated from Ridgewood High School...
(born 1928), retired United States Air Force four star general. - Karl Stanley (1992) submarineSubmarineA submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
designer who began building his first submersible while a sophomore at the school. - Kazbek TambiKazbek TambiKazbek Tambi is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder who currently coaches the Seton Hall University women's soccer team and the United States U-17 women's soccer team. He spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League, four in the Major Indoor Soccer League and one in the American Soccer...
(born 1961, Class of 1979), former professional soccer player inducted into the RHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004, who is the Seton Hall UniversitySeton Hall UniversitySeton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
women's soccer head coach. - Rich Yampell (born 1962, Class of 1980) composer, Klingonist.
External links
- Ridgewood High School website
- Data for the Ridgewood Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- The RHS Band Program