Livingston Public Schools

(Redirected from Mt. Pleasant Middle School)

The Livingston Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from Livingston, in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.[3] The district consists of six elementary schools, grades PreK/K-5; one middle school for grade 6 and another middle school for grades 7 and 8, and one four-year high school.[4]

Livingston Public Schools
Address
11 Foxcroft Drive
, Essex County, New Jersey, 07039
United States
Coordinates40°47′16″N 74°20′25″W / 40.787733°N 74.340283°W / 40.787733; -74.340283
District information
GradesPreK to 12
SuperintendentMatthew J. Block
Business administratorMichael Davison
Schools9
Students and staff
Enrollment6,056 (as of 2019–20)[1]
Faculty492.6 FTEs[1]
Student–teacher ratio12.3:1[1]
Other information
District Factor GroupI
Websitewww.livingston.org
Ind. Per pupil District
spending
Rank
(*)
K-12
average
%± vs.
average
1ATotal Spending$19,22565$18,8911.8%
1Budgetary Cost14,3854814,783−2.7%
2Classroom Instruction8,866588,7631.2%
6Support Services2,295512,392−4.1%
8Administrative Cost1,604761,4858.0%
10Operations & Maintenance1,277151,783−28.4%
13Extracurricular Activities2987126811.2%
16Median Teacher Salary82,2809964,043
Data from NJDoE 2014 Taxpayers' Guide to Education Spending.[2]
*Of K-12 districts with more than 3,500 students. Lowest spending=1; Highest=103

As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprising nine schools, had an enrollment of 6,056 students and 492.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.3:1.[1]

The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "I", the second-highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.[5]

Awards and recognition

edit

For the 1997-98 school year, Livingston High School received the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence from the United States Department of Education, the highest honor that an American school can achieve.[6]

The district's high school was the 16th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.[7] The school had been ranked 24th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 20th in 2008 out of 316 schools.[8] Livingston High School was the 14th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 316 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2006 cover story on the state's Top Public High Schools.[9]

The school was ranked 1038th nationwide, the 33rd-highest in New Jersey, in Newsweek magazine's 2010 rankings of America's Best High Schools based solely on the efforts among 27,000 US schools in making Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge (AICE) tests available to all students.[10][11]

The district was among 367 school districts in the US to receive AP District of the Year Awards in the 2nd Annual Honor Roll[12] and among 539 districts in the 3rd Annual Honor Roll.[13]

FemGineers

edit

FemGineers (Female Engineering Club) is a program in Heritage Middle School to encourage female students to participate in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The program was founded with 10 eight-grade girls to participate in engineering-based competitions. In the five-year period after the establishment of the program, the size of participant increased to 60 girls. The Board of Education of the Livingston Public Schools also supported the initiative by the mean of funding its technology lab. A review in 2013 by the American School Board Journal found that the program resulted in an improvement in standardized math test scores and more female students continued to enroll in higher-level math classes when they enter Livingston High School. However, the future career decisions for those participants are still yet to be seen. The journal awarded the program as one of the winners of the 2013 Magna Awards in the category of public school districts with 5,000 to 20,000 enrollments in the United States.[14]

Additionally, the National School Boards Association listed the FemGineers program and the technology teacher in its "20 to Watch" in 2013 citing the program's attempt to address the gender equality concern in STEM initiatives.[15]

Competitions

edit

Livingston's schools participate in many county, interschool, state, and national competitions. Highlights of the accomplishments are:[16]

Arts and literature

edit

Business and law

edit
  • Elementary schools have been consistent winners of New Jersey State Bar Foundation Law Fair Mock Trial Competitions for grade 3 to 6. Riker Hill, Mount Pleasant, Harrison and Collins were winners of the competitions in 2000–2002, 2006–2010, and 2012–2013.[27][28]
  • Livingston High School students were winners from 2008 to 2012 at Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference. In 2012, national first place in Economics and Sport Management, and seventh place in Entrepreneurship.[29]

General knowledge

edit
  • Mount Pleasant Middle School was first place national winner of Knowledge Master Open in 2007[30] and fourth place national winner in 2008
  • Heritage Middle School ranked #1 in New Jersey for Spring 2011 Knowledge Master Open. It was also ranked #19 out of 604 middle schools in the United States and other countries.[31]
  • Livingston High School received recognition for its AP Program as a 2006-2007 State High School winner of the Seimen's Award for Advanced Placement[32]

Math

edit
  • Mount Pleasant Middle School ranked #2 out of 204 schools in 6th grade in 2008-2009 New Jersey Mathematics League contest[33]
  • Heritage Middle School was national first-place winner in the Continental Mathematics League/Euclidean Divisions 7 and 8
  • Livingston High School ranked #1 in the league for the 2012 New Jersey Mathematics League contest[34]
  • Livingston High School has been consistent first-place winner of Essex County Math League from 1989 to 2009

Science

edit

Technology

edit

World language

edit
  • Heritage Middle School students scored third and seventh in the nation for the 2011 National French Contest. Livingston High School students scored up to the third in the nation.
  • Twenty-eight Livingston High School students placed in the top 10 positions in the state for the 2011 National Spanish Examinations[53]

Schools

edit

Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics)[54] are:[55][56][57]

Elementary schools
  • Burnet Hill Elementary School[58] (433; Grade PreK-5)
    • Lisa Barreto, principal
  • Collins Elementary School[59] (452; Grade K-5)
    • Michelle Cebula, principal
  • Amos W. Harrison Elementary School[60] (453; grade K-5)
    • Daniel Garcia, principal
  • Hillside Elementary School[61] (386; K-5)
    • Carlos Gramata Jr., principal
  • Mount Pleasant Elementary School[62] (412; Grade K-5)
    • Lorena Dolan, principal
  • Riker Hill Elementary School[63] (405; Grade K-5)
    • . Justin Toomey, principal
Middle schools
  • Mount Pleasant Middle School[64] (486; Grade 6)
    • Bronawyn O'Leary, principal
  • Heritage Middle School[65] (1,029; Grade 7 and 8)
    • Shawn Kelly, principal
High school

Administration

edit

Core members of the district's administration are:[67][68]

  • Matthew J. Block, superintendent[69]
  • Michael Davison, business administrator and board secretary[70]
  • Mark Stern, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction & innovation[71]
  • Lisa Capone-Steiger, assistant superintendent for equity, inclusion, intervention and inspiration[72]

Board of education

edit

The district's board of education is composed of five members who set policy and oversee the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year held (since 2012) as part of the November general election. The board appoints a superintendent to oversee the district's day-to-day operations and a business administrator to supervise the business functions of the district.[73][74][75]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Search for Public School Districts - District Detail for Livingston Board of Education School District". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Taxpayers' Guide to Education Spending April 2013, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 15, 2013.
  3. ^ Livingston Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarte through twelve in the Livingston School District. Composition The Livingston School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Livingston."
  4. ^ About Our Schools, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  5. ^ NJ Department of Education District Factor Groups (DFG) for School Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed October 8, 2014.
  6. ^ Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF) Archived March 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, United States Department of Education. Accessed March 28, 2011.
  7. ^ Staff. "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014", New Jersey Monthly, September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.
  8. ^ Staff. "2010 Top High Schools", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2010. Accessed March 28, 2011.
  9. ^ Top Public High Schools in New Jersey Archived February 6, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Monthly, September 2006.
  10. ^ Staff. "America's Best High Schools: The List", Newsweek, June 13, 2010. Accessed March 28, 2011.
  11. ^ America's Best High Schools: The FAQ, Newsweek. Accessed March 28, 2011.
  12. ^ AP District of the Year Awards - 2nd Annual Honor Roll, College Board, 2012 - accessed January 22, 2012
  13. ^ "AP District of the Year Awards 3rd Annual Honor Roll" (PDF). College Board. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  14. ^ "2013 Magna Awards". American School Board Journal: 12. 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  15. ^ "NSBA's Technology Leadership Network announces 2013 class of "20 to Watch"". School Board News Today. National School Boards Association. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  16. ^ Board of Education Proclamations Meeting Agenda, Livingston School District, June 16, 2008 - accessed April 19, 2009
  17. ^ Cray-Pas Wonderful, Colorful, World Contest 2009 - Finalists, Sakura of America - accessed November 29, 2011
  18. ^ Girls' visions of skis and skates earn Arts Olympiad honors, The Star Ledger, July 25, 2007, p.63
  19. ^ Livingston School District Special Meeting Agenda, June 7, 2004, Livingston Board of Education
  20. ^ Livingston School District Workshop Meeting Agenda, June 12, 2006, Livingston Board of Education
  21. ^ Livingston School District Meeting Agenda, June 18, 2007, Livingston Board of Education
  22. ^ HONORS AND AWARDS 2003-2004, Livingston School District - accessed October 8, 2010
  23. ^ Clara's Surprise By Shannon Colonna, WNET. Accessed March 8, 2010
  24. ^ "Proposed Budget for 2008 - 2009" (PDF). Livingston Public Schools. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  25. ^ "National High School Honors Orchestra" (PDF). 2010 American String Teachers Association National Conference. American String Teachers Association. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  26. ^ "National High School Honors Orchestra" (PDF). 2012 American String Teachers Association National Conference. American String Teachers Association.
  27. ^ "Mock Trail Competition for Grade 3 through 6". New Jersey State Bar Foundation. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  28. ^ "Mock Trail Competition for Grade 3 through 6". New Jersey State Bar Foundation. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  29. ^ FBLA Competitive Events Archived April 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, FBLA-PBL - accessed July 29, 2012
  30. ^ The KMO Hall of Fame - accessed April 19, 2009
  31. ^ Spring 2011 Knowledge Master Open Middle School Division, Knowledge Master - accessed April 29, 2011
  32. ^ 2006-07 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement Archived October 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine,Siemens Foundation - accessed April 19, 2009
  33. ^ 2008-2009 CONTEST SCORE REPORT SUMMARY FOR GRADES 6, 7, AND 8[permanent dead link],New Jersey Mathematics League - accessed April 19, 2009
  34. ^ April 2012 High School Score Report Summary, New Jersey Mathematics League, April 2012. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  35. ^ New Jersey Science Olympiad - NJIT Regional Archived February 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Science Olympiad - accessed May 20, 2009
  36. ^ 2008 Merck State Science Day School Team Scores, Merck Institute for Science Education – accessed April 19, 2009
  37. ^ New Jersey Science Olympiad - State Championship Tournament Archived February 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Science Olympiad, March 17, 2009 – accessed April 19, 2009
  38. ^ Intel STS Past Results Archived September 11, 2012, at archive.today, Intel Science Talent Search. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  39. ^ Your Vote Counts for Autism Research, Patch.com, May 11, 2011 - accessed April 13, 2012
  40. ^ Siemens Foundation – 2009 Winners, Siemens Competition. Accessed December 21, 2009.
  41. ^ 2010 Siemens Competition Math : Science : Technology REGIONAL FINALISTS Archived June 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Siemens Competition. Accessed May 10, 2012.
  42. ^ 2012 USA Biology Olympiad National Finalists[permanent dead link], Center for Excellent in Education - accessed May 10, 2012
  43. ^ 2010 USNCO National Exam Top Students, USNCO - accessed May 10, 2012
  44. ^ 2011 USNCO Top 152 Students, USNCO - accessed May 10, 2012
  45. ^ LHS Students Rank High in USA Chemistry Olympiad, Livingston Patch, May 9, 2012
  46. ^ 2007-08 Winners, Young Epidemiology Scholars - accessed May 10, 2012
  47. ^ 2010-11 Winners, Young Epidemiology Scholars - accessed May 10, 2012
  48. ^ 2011 National TSA Conference Results, TSA - accessed December 10, 2011
  49. ^ Future City Competition New Jersey Region[permanent dead link], ASCE North Jersey Branch - accessed December 10, 2011
  50. ^ 2010-2011 FTC World Championship Award Winners, usfirst.org - accessed April 13, 2012
  51. ^ Live results, Shell - accessed April 13, 2012
  52. ^ "Magna Awards". American School Board Journal. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  53. ^ "Board of Education Voting Meeting Minutes, Monday, June 6, 2011" (PDF). Livingston School District. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  54. ^ "Search for Public Schools - Search Results". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  55. ^ Directory of Schools, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  56. ^ School Performance Reports for the Livingston Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.
  57. ^ New Jersey School Directory for Livingston Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  58. ^ Burnet Hill Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  59. ^ Collins Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  60. ^ "Harrison Elementary School / Harrison Homepage". www.livingston.org. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  61. ^ Hillside Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  62. ^ Mount Pleasant Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  63. ^ Riker Hill Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  64. ^ Mount Pleasant Middle School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  65. ^ Heritage Middle School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  66. ^ Livingston High School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  67. ^ District Administration, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  68. ^ New Jersey School Directory for Essex County, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  69. ^ Welcome from the Superintendent, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  70. ^ Business Administrator's Office, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
  71. ^ "Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Innovation / Overview". www.livingston.org. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  72. ^ "Assistant Superintendent For Equity, Inclusion & Intervention / Overview". www.livingston.org. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  73. ^ New Jersey Boards of Education by District Election Types - 2018 School Election, New Jersey Department of Education, updated February 16, 2018. Accessed January 26, 2020.
  74. ^ Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Livingston Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2023. Accessed April 1, 2024. "The Livingston Board of Education and all its schools constitute the District's reporting entity. The District provides a full range of educational services appropriate to grade levels K through 12 as well as a Pre-K program for students with disabilities." See "Roster of Officials" on page 17.
  75. ^ About the Board, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.
edit