Clifton High School open house to make case for public over private, vocational schools

Clifton's eighth graders, like others in Passaic County, have lots of options when it comes to which high school they attend, including private, religious and charter schools and Passaic County Technical Institute.

Aware of the competition, Clifton High School is among local public school districts taking measures to attract and retain as many of their eighth graders as possible.

On Tuesday night, Clifton High School officials will hold the second of two annual open houses designed to educate parents of soon-to-be freshmen that the high school is the best choice for their children.

"We let parents know that we are here to help every student no matter their situation," Clifton High School Principal Ahmad Hamdeh. In the past, the school has "managed to change a lot of hearts and minds," he said.

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The high school holds a similar event in the fall, and both highlight the school's offerings, such as 17 Advanced Placement courses, learning academies, 28 varsity sports and more than 60 clubs.

"Clifton High School proudly offers our students a comprehensive, authentic and enriching educational experience," Superintendent of Schools Danny Robertozzi said. "Whether students are interested in the arts, athletics, STEM or anything in between, CHS has opportunities for every child to develop their unique talents."

In the 2022-23 school year, Clifton High School's enrollment stood at 3,060 students, but hundreds of city students opted to attend the county's technical high school in Wayne, and along with them went educational funds, officials said.

Passaic County's public school districts have to pay about $11,000 for each of their resident student who attends Passaic County Tech. For the 500 Clifton students who chose Passaic County Tech, the school district has to pay about $5.5 million from its operating budget

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Besides losing funds, local school districts worry about losing their brightest students to other schools.

Clifton is not alone in this fight to retain students. Manchester Regional High School in Haledon, Paterson's two high schools, Passaic Valley Regional High School and others share similar concerns.

When Passaic Valley Regional hired current Superintendent Bracken Healy, it tasked him with changing the district's perception. With so many options, local public high schools say they need to get the message out that staying local is a good option.

Healy has improved the physical plant and improved academics and communications with the communities it serves, said Keith Kazmark, mayor of Woodland Park, one of the sending districts to Passaic Valley Regional High School.

"The reality is that local high schools need to market themselves," Kazmark said. "I think he has turned it around."

Healy said Passaic Valley's enrollment now stands at 1,035 students, up from 981 two years ago.

Two years ago, 400 of Passaic Valley's students chose to attend Passaic County Tech, Healy said, adding that the number is down to 370 this year.

In Clifton, Hamdeh said he's trying to show parents they should consider Clifton High School because it offers its students a head start on college and good jobs.

Besides the advanced courses, activities and sports, Clifton High School gives students the chance to earn post-secondary credits. Clifton offers courses in conjunction with Passaic and Bergen counties' community colleges, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Montclair State and William Paterson universities and Berkeley College.

"Last week we had five students receive their associate's degrees from Passaic County Community College," Hamdeh said. Its students have been accepted into top colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools.

Officials are hopeful that Tuesday's open house will convince more parents to keep their students in the district.

"Our graduates' accomplishments have proven to be outstanding time and again," Robertozzi said. "We encourage students to join us on what we believe to be a transformative educational journey here in Clifton Public Schools."

The Clifton High School open house is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the school's auditorium.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Clifton High School open house to promote STEM, college credit classes