Picking where your kids will go to class is one of the biggest calls a family makes when settling somewhere new, and Ridgewood, New Jersey gives parents plenty to work with. This Bergen County town has earned a reputation for public schools that blend creative instruction with well-rounded programming, and that mix is a big reason so many households put strong classrooms near the top of their list. Add a lively cultural scene and a close-knit, neighborly feel, and it is easy to see why families choose to put down roots here.
Of course, no two schools serve a child the same way. Below, our team walks through the district’s standout campuses, from the high school all the way down to the elementary level, so you can pair the right building with the kid who will actually sit in it. As a family-owned New Jersey moving company, we help households land in towns like this one every week, and we know a good district often shapes the entire home search.
Ridgewood High School: academics and athletics under one roof
Ridgewood High School sets a demanding academic bar, and the numbers back it up. Roughly 95 percent of graduates head on to college, and more than 70 percent of students take on Advanced Placement coursework, giving them a running start on higher-level material. The wins are not confined to the classroom, either. Teams here have piled up a long list of state titles in sports such as soccer and track. The arts hold their own too, anchored by a decorated music program whose jazz ensembles and choir have performed at both state and national events. Families who relocate specifically to enroll their kids here often lean on our local moving crews to keep the transition simple.
Benjamin Franklin Middle School: building young innovators
At Benjamin Franklin Middle School, the spotlight lands squarely on STEM, and the staff uses hands-on projects to sharpen how students reason through problems. A well-equipped STEM lab gives kids room to wrestle with genuine, real-world puzzles, and robotics gets serious attention, with teams heading off to regional contests. Service projects tie that classroom work back to the wider community, nudging students toward a sense of civic responsibility along the way.
- Robotics teams that compete at both the state and national level
- Accelerated math tracks for students who are ready to move faster
- Yearly science fairs that put student research and inventions on display
- Classrooms outfitted with current, up-to-date learning technology
- Engineering projects aimed at solving local, community-specific needs
That deep investment in science and technology is exactly what draws education-minded families toward Ridgewood. The school’s push to grow curious, capable thinkers reaches well past the final bell, setting kids up to hold their own in a world that keeps shifting fast.
George Washington Middle School: growing tomorrow’s leaders
George Washington Middle School leans hard into leadership and personal growth. A student leadership program hands kids real roles in shaping school decisions, which builds accountability and a genuine stake in the community around them. The debate squad has earned recognition on the national stage, sharpening public-speaking chops and critical thinking in the process. On top of that, a broad slate of clubs and activities means nearly every student can find a corner where they belong and take off.
Willard Elementary School: a strong early foundation
Willard Elementary School zeroes in on the youngest learners and the core skills they need first. A low ratio of students to teachers leaves plenty of room for one-on-one attention inside a warm, supportive setting. Kids get an early taste of the arts and basic science, and they pitch in on school-wide efforts like the annual Science Fair, which throws its doors open so neighbors can come see what young students have dreamed up. For families hoping to settle near this kind of gentle, hands-on environment, a smooth relocation makes all the difference.
Hawes Elementary School: environmental learning front and center
Hawes Elementary School has made a name for itself around environmental education, weaving eco-awareness into just about every corner of what it teaches. One centerpiece is a green roof, where students take part in real lessons on sustainable living. That roof pulls double duty: it works as a teaching tool while also trimming energy use and supporting local biodiversity. There is an outdoor classroom too, letting kids learn straight from nature and deepening how they understand the systems all around them.
Trips off campus round out the approach. Students visit nearby nature reserves fairly regularly, poking around local ecosystems and putting classroom lessons to work out in the field. Those outings strengthen the bond kids feel with the natural world while grounding lessons about conservation and looking after shared resources. The school also threads environmental science through its other subjects, so sustainability shows up from more than one angle.
Orchard Elementary School: arts and belonging
Orchard Elementary School is known above all for two things: a rich arts program and a real commitment to including every child. Visual art, theater, and music sit at the heart of how students grow here. The school leans into diversity, with adaptive offerings shaped around different learning styles and abilities so no one gets left on the sidelines.
- Adaptive art supplies designed for students with special needs
- Yearly art festivals that spotlight student work and performances
- Music therapy sessions that support emotional and social growth
- Peer mentoring that pairs older students with younger ones on arts projects
- Multicultural events that celebrate different cultures through art and performance
Inclusion at Orchard does not stop at the classroom door. The school runs workshops where parents and teachers team up to meet a wide range of learning needs, and that shared effort makes the whole experience richer. Between a devoted staff and lively programming, Orchard earns its spot as one of Ridgewood’s most complete schools.
Somerville Elementary School: rooted in community
Somerville Elementary School builds its entire approach around community, pulling in parents and local groups to strengthen what happens in the classroom. Its busy Parent Teacher Association is central to that, putting on events that knit together students, families, and staff. Many of those gatherings do double duty as well, folding in learning tied to STEM and the arts rather than staying purely social.
The curriculum here is built to open doors down the road, balancing serious academic subjects with plenty of creative work. That combination helps kids develop both analytical and imaginative skills, the kind they will lean on later in school and beyond. Layered on top are after-school programs and enrichment classes that stretch the learning even further. Teachers and parents keep the lines of communication wide open, so families always stay looped in on how their children are doing. Taken together, it adds up to a place where every student feels supported.
Choosing the right fit for your family
There is no single best school in Ridgewood, only the one that fits your child. Every public school in town brings its own strengths to the table, whether your priority is academics, activities, or the social side of growing up. The surest way to sort it out is to show up in person: tour the buildings, sit in on open houses, and talk with the people there until you land on a match that clicks with your kid’s interests and potential. Because the district takes education seriously across the board, Ridgewood tends to reward families who plan ahead. When you are ready to make the jump, our long distance moving team can handle the heavy lifting, and you can reach out any time to talk through the details. That way you keep your attention where it belongs: on giving your child the best possible start.
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