Ridge High School

268 South Finley Avenue

School District

Bernards Township Public
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Bernards Township Public School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 02, 2022

One of the top schools in New Jersey, great opportunities and teachers, in one of the safest towns in America. Highly competitive.
Submitted by student on January 26, 2022

This school has good teaching but doesn't care about your child's wellbeing. Especially when it comes to conflicts with other students. The principle is the least sympathetic person the school has. I recommend not sending your child to this school.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2021

Overrated but a supposed high quality of education. Sports coaching staff were mostly bullies, guidance staff were a joke, lots of "bending the rules" for overachievers, not a strong Special Education program (especially compared to WAMS, there are just too many kids here). Teachers were mostly aloof and either really young and inexperienced or old and grumpy. There also seemed to be a lot of turnover in the staff ranks as well. All RHS really cares about is winning awards and getting recognition. They didn't even offer up to take the ACT as an option when I went here. I got into a great college after going here, but that was IMHO total luck and involved lots of outside effort on my end to do so.
Submitted by student on August 16, 2019

The worst school you could ever send your child to. Do your children away and move far away from the horrible Basking Ridge before it's too late.
Submitted by student on October 01, 2018

This school is good if you're a cookie cutter student. But if you're in any way struggling due to mental disorders, this school administration does not care about you. They will treat you as a problem instead of a human being needing understanding and professional/medical help. No compassion at all. The treatment we received here nearly destroyed the educational careers and mental health of myself and one of my siblings. The curriculum and the teachers are very good for the most part but the administration is completely awful. It's possible they've changed in the last few years but I doubt it.
Submitted by student on March 22, 2017

Many of you will probably not take the word of a high school student. Knowing this, I would just like to say that this school might have higher test score or a better rating but they are not deserving of a 10. From the first day I transferred there, they treated me horribly. They told me I wasn't capable of doing the things I had done at my previous school. They turn a blind eye to cheating and they do not care for your child's emotional problems or any of there problems. I have friends who are considering home school and moving to a completely new district just so they can go to another school. My only hope with this post is that you reconsider moving to this area and look into other options . Guidance counselors have made my experience so unbearable that I haveve decided to speak out.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2013

Some teachers are outstanding, however some (though very few) are not able to challenge the kids to an extent, kids are capable of. I hope, these teachers can go through some training program, so kids can benefit maximum out of the teacher as well.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2013

Yes - Ridge is rated as a high performing school. However, sadly this is mostly due to the extremely competitive students and aggressive parents in the community. The school does offer a challenging curriculum. However, not all teachers are competent enough to prepare students to perform well in these courses. While students in neighboring schools are able to excel in the most challenging AP courses, most high achieving Ridge students are forced to seek outside help/tutoring in order to excel. Student performance/grades, most times does not reflect the quality of teaching at the school but the quality of outside tutoring. Hence it is no surprise that tutors and tutoring schools in this area charge $90 - $120 per hour for tutoring. We feel the school can reach new heights if the administration made an effort to get student/parent feed back regarding teachers and make teachers accountable for student performance. When the school has high expectations from students who take these challenging courses, is it too much for students/parents to expect the same from the teachers/school?
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2013

We moved from Maplewood S Orange area because of our dissatisfaction with the high school there and the ridiculous taxes we paid for a deteriorating high school. When my daughter started her freshmen year at Ridge, within weeks she was embracing it and raving about how much better the teaching was. She went from being on average student to straight A's at a much more difficult school compared to Columbia in Maplewood. The difference? Better administration, well kept facilities, excellent student to teacher ratio and leadership that from what I can see, knows who to hire. The music programs are beyond most in the country. The performing arts center is like being transported to Juilliard. Rock on Ridge!