“Our core focus is on student growth and engagement,” Ben-David explains. “We believe a more engaged student is a more productive student. Everything we do—our people, programs, facilities, and finances— aligns to that idea. The goal is to make kids love learning and want to explore who they are and what they might become.” A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE AND BELONGING Tenafly’s culture reflects its community: closeknit, intellectual, culturally diverse, and invested in education. Families move here for the schools, drawn by a district that consistently ranks among the top in the state/nation for academic achievement. “We have incredibly motivated students, highly involved families, and teachers, administrators, and staff who are deeply committed,” says Board of Education President Jocelyn Schwarz. “It’s a true partnership between home, school, and community.” That collaboration extends beyond the classroom. The district maintains strong relationships with the borough council, recreation department, and local law enforcement, ensuring that the schools remain both safe and closely connected to community life. REDEFINING THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE At the high school level,Tenafly has taken bold steps to rethink how students are grouped and challenged. In 2023, the district collapsed its course leveling structure, reducing the number of tracks and creating more heterogeneous learning environments. For Ben-David, the change was long overdue. “We track students too much in education,” he says. “When we over level, we over label. And labeling significantly impacts both teacher and student expectations. What we’ve done instead is raise the bar for everyone, while building in the right supports so that all students can succeed.” The result is a streamlined three-tier system—honors, college preparatory, and resource classes—supported by differentiated instruction.The model emphasizes ambition and access: every student is taught to the highest standard, regardless of where they begin. “Our job isn’t to make every student the fastest learner,” Ben-David explains. “It’s to help every student become a better version of themselves.” PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE—AND FOR LIFE Tenafly students have access to a range of counseling and college-readiness resources, including SCOIR, a data-driven college planning platform 349 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 TENAFLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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