Saddle River Day School

147 Chestnut Ridge Road

Saddle River, NJ 07458

26 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by student on January 06, 2025

SRDS students often group themselves into "niches," which can be helpful for newcomers looking to find their footing socially or make friends. On the surface, it may seem like there’s no bullying, but tension and gossiping are present. While this might be expected in any school environment, it’s something to keep in mind.From a college-prep perspective, SRDS offers valuable resources, but much of the responsibility falls on students. Teachers and administrators are helpful, but you need to take the initiative to seek out opportunities. Most of the college application support I’ve received has come from reaching out to the head of the upper school and consulting teachers directly. Community service is another strong focus, with one teacher providing a dedicated resource document for volunteering opportunities. Still, don’t expect anyone to hand opportunities to you—you have to express interest and take the lead.The school has hired more new teachers than I can count in recent years, which reflects its efforts to accommodate its growing student population. However, the quality of teaching varies. Each teacher has their own style, and while I have my favorites, some are more effective than others. Performing arts teachers focus on creativity and fun, while the math department has mixed results. Self-studying is often necessary, though that’s to be expected at this level.One area where SRDS falls short is handling its rapid growth. The school’s expansion feels rushed, and it hasn’t adapted well to the increased student population. Hallways are more crowded than ever, and class sizes can be surprisingly large. During a parent-teacher conference earlier this year, nearly 40 parents were packed into a small room—a frustrating and poorly planned experience.Overall, SRDS has its strengths: strong community service initiatives, some dedicated teachers, and a college-prep environment. However, the growing pains from rapid expansion, the variability in teaching quality, and overcrowding are challenges the school needs to address.Not a complete waste if you are financially capable of dishing out the near $60,000 tuition. +Teachers can see passion. From what I saw, teachers mainly favored students who were respectful, passionate, and not hesitant to show their interest in the subject. In the end, what happens to you is based on your own efforts so I wouldn't blame everything on the school alone.
Submitted by student on June 27, 2024

Honest Review from a High Schooler's Experience: DO NOT ATTEND SRDS!SRDS was a huge disappointment. I endured one disheartening year before begging my parents to transfer me out. Here’s a summary of saddening $60,000 experience.Academics: I come from a household that values academics and strong college placement, and SRDS failed miserably.Education: The poorest education I’ve ever received. My lazy teacher never checked homework and gave quizzes at a 6th-grade level to 9th and 10th graders. Advanced classes like Linear Algebra and AP Calc AB were a joke; they were essentially Algebra 2.Grading: Grading was random. Despite submitting all assignments, I never received feedback. I worked diligently, only to get random grades months late.AP Classes: AP classes are not taken seriously, resulting in poor scores.Environment: There is no library or quiet study rooms. The school is overcrowded, noisy, and lacks order. Students come to socialize, play video games and use social media rather than study.One-on-One SupportThere is no personal attention or help. Teachers are unresponsive, and seeking help is fruitless.Students:Students are snobbish, entitled, and engage in cyberbullying. They come to school to chat, play games, and scroll through social media. Education and college are taken as jokes. The environment fosters laziness and immaturity.Food and FacilitiesThe promised "chef" and variety of options are a lie. Students are yelled and punished for taking a bagel in the morning.Administration and AuthorityThe Upper School Dean and Head of School overreact to situations and are ineffective.Buses and TransportationThe buses are small, dirty, and noisy. The $5000+ transportation fee is a waste, and it’s heartbreaking to see young children in these conditions.College AcceptancesThere are only two college counselors. One is the lazy, uneducated dean who teaches nothing. The college acceptances are disappointing, with students going to random schools with high acceptance rates.ClubsClubs are disorganized, and the free period called N Block is chaotic. The reality is nothing like the advertisements.Please, do not attend this school. The advertisements are an illusion.Message:Please, do not attend this school. The advertisements are an illusion. SRDS is not the place for education or success. It’s a way to “drag” rich students into graduation and acceptance into random, poor colleges. My family wasted one crucial year of high school and $60,000.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2024

I have two very different children who attended SRDS. It was a life changing experience for each of them for very different reasons. During COVID, they didn't skip a beat. Students were required to login to each class as normal and continue to wear their uniforms. I never felt that my children were falling behind during COVID yet rather thriving. The curriculum is excellent and each student is always recommended for classes that are challenging for them vs "grade level". Meaning, if they excel in Math, they will be advanced into a Math class appropriate for their individual level. The camaraderie between the students and teachers/staff is a blessing and creates an emotionally safe space while building self confidence to thrive academically. My children's strongest friendships have derived from their time at SRDS. I cannot recommend SRDS enough. Sending our children here was the best parental decision we have made to date.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2022

My daughter has excelled at this school. She has totally transformed academically and personally from her private school days to coming to this school. We could not be more impressed!
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2019

For my two middle schoolers, Saddle River Day School has been a fantastic experience. They are challenged intellectually by caring, creative teachers, thoughtful curriculum and access to new technology. The environment is inclusive and students are encouraged to support one another as they learn to take risks in the classroom as well as through extra curricular activities. Overall, I feel that SRDS will help prepare my children exceptionally well for college and life beyond.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2019

This small private has the resources and strong and good faculty to develop my kid, academically and socially. Very happy with the small school environment.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2019

A terrific small school with an inspiring and well resourced campus that challenges students to take action and be their best!
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2019

It has been an excellent experience for my children thus far and my husband and I couldn’t be happier.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2019

Outstanding school that truly prepares your child for the next level of education. Could not be any happier with our choice to have our children attend this school
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2019

Both my kids transferred from a very large public school to SRDS a small private college prep school. Both have them have flourished in this school. My son is the school's student president,captain of the basketball team, and has excelled in all his academics and has been taught how to manage his time and improve his study skills. He has also been placed in AP classes and the the classroom ratio of teacher to students are excellent as each student gets attention and not lost as in a bigger school. My daughter has excelled in all honor and AP classes and has made a strong circle of close friends as well. As parents we could not be happier with our kids academics and achievements in Saddle River Day School.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2018

Unfortunately it has been disappointing. Its not a place where a child can develop in a safe learning environment and excel.. I can not recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2018

It was terrible. 4 years of high cost low quality nonsense
Submitted by parent on November 02, 2017

We the Grand Parents are very pleased with our interaction with the teachers and staff.We attended Grand Parents Day 2017.. it was a pleasure because we attended the working day in class room. It was joyfull and educative.Our Grand Daughter : Shyna Rao 2nd. Grade 2017.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2017

Not a college prep school. The small classes are the big advantage but tragically nothing remarkable happens in them - no intense discussion, no deep learning - mostly rote memorization and handouts like any mediocre public school. The teaching is spotty and teaching excellence is not a school priority. The administration is responsive to emails but inflexible/unhelpful in our experience. Several teachers and administrators left during/after the school year. Enrollment has been dropping for years and there is a growing presence of exchange students from China who pay the tuition to gain exposure to the English language/culture. The sports programs are poor. There is no pool, for example, thus no swim team. There is so much potential but the school is adrift. My daughter was there for 8th grade, then left for a different private high school. Saddle River was a very forgettable experience.
Submitted by other on May 16, 2017

This school has been an amazing experience for my son and he graduates this year. As far as bullies, go to public school to see what a real bully is. You will never make it in the real world if you have a problem here.We come from humble means compared to a lot of students here and it has not hindered my son in any way. He has lots of close friendships here that will last a lifetime. Thank you saddle river day school!
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2017

After being involved with SRDS for 9 years it is extremely sad and upsetting to see what has happened to the quality of academics. To start the Head of School has eliminated most of the long term superior educators to replace them with less expensive and experienced teachers. over the last 4 year there has been a extreme effort to make this as sports institution with no care of the quality of academics. There is an extreme bullying problem at the institution which get pushed under the rug with the issue protected if they provided a finical benefit to the school. Let the facts stand for themselves look at the college acceptance for the students over the last eight years and see for yourself.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2015

We were excited upon meeting the teachers and some great families at an open house. Our check was signed and we were all ready to go. To our surprise, after a visitation shadowing day a girl from the school started making fun of our daughter on social media. We quickly pulled our application and lost our deposit. If that werent insulting a year later the girl is still continued and the school never handled any of it. Very expensive tuition to have your child bullied
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2015

My son enrolled at SRDS 2 years ago and has grown by leaps and bounds. The faculty is superb and small class sizes really make a difference. They embrace technology and have a bring your own device program. For example graphic arts is done on a Mac allowing students to create magazine covers and product packaging. The academic environment is competitive but the kids seem to really support each other. What I love is that they empower the children. My son started and ran his own club which gave him confidence and leadership skills. They educate the whole child and prepare them for the real world. Although tuition is very expensive they do seem to attract a diverse student body. It's been great for us.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2015

Bad experience. Ever since the current headmistress took over, the school has gone down the toilet. Pulling my kids out now, it has become so bad. Children are more susceptible to bullying here than at public school, the food is made of pink slime, and the tuition is ridiculous. Now they are adding a Pre-K, and moving the 5th grade into middle school. Ridiculous. Don't send you kids here unless you want to screw up their education.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2015

I can t say enough about SRDS. The education, dedication of faculty and staff and culture here is extraordinary ! At SRDS each child is an individual celebrated and respected for who he/she is. The environment is warm and supportive allowing all children to feel comfortable expressing who they are. The academics are top notch as the faculty is innovative , creative, dynamic and highly professional. As a parent I feel very much at home with staff and peers a like. The parents here are about two things. Their children and their children s education. No airs, no nonsense. If you want a place where they educate the whole child, you won t find better.