Highland Park Public Schools

The Highland Park Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from Highland Park, in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,635 students and 155.5 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 10.5:1.

History

The original school building was designed by architect Alexander Merchant. Opened in September 1926, the school was named Franklin Junior High School, serving students through tenth grade and constructed at a cost of $360,000. After appeals from residents, grades 11 and 12 were added and the building was renamed "Highland Park High School" in 1937, before which students from Highland Park completed their secondary school education at either New Brunswick High School or Metuchen High School.
The district had been classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "GH", the third-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.

Schools

Schools in the district are:
;Elementary schools

Irving Primary School with 297 students in grades PreK–1
*Megan McNally, principal
Bartle Elementary School with 433 students in grades 2–5
*Jennifer Knapp, principal

;Middle school

Highland Park Middle School with 346 students in grades 6–8
*Caitlin Brady, principal

;High school

Highland Park High School with 518 students in grades 9–12
*Kristina Donovan, principal

Administration

Core members of the district's administration are:

Kristina Nicosia, superintendent
Linda Hoefele, business administrator and board secretary

Board of education

The district's board of education is comprised of nine 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 three seats up for election each year held 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.