Forrestdale Middle School

Excellent school. The staff is amazing, qualified and very loving.

This school is amazing! It all starts with the principal, who I have been thoroughly impressed with. She makes a real effort to take care of every student, down to the smallest detail. The teachers are great and the kids are great. I love the culture of this community. One of my favorite things is watching the students and parents come together after school to play at the park across the street. What an experience it must be to grow up in this town. I may be a little jealous of my little ones.

I am extremely happy with Highlands Elementary. My son transitioned from a private daycare during the height of COVID, after spending two full years at home with me. Naturally, I worried about how he would adapt to a public school setting and whether he might get lost in the larger student population. That has not been our experience at all.**From Pre-K (Mrs. A) to Kindergarten (Mrs. M)—names shortened here out of respect for their privacy**From Pre-K (Mrs. A) to Kindergarten ( Mrs.M) , his teachers have created a warm, nurturing, and academically enriching environment. This year in particular, there were some developmental concerns with my son that could have easily been overlooked in a different setting. Instead, his teacher ( Mrs.M) who also happens to be Teacher of the Year )) has been incredibly attentive, supportive, and communicative. Because of her dedication, my son has continued to grow and improve, with his scores getting stronger each time.What stands out even more is that the care and dedication are not limited to one classroom or one grade. Every staff member we’ve encountered, from teachers to aides to administrative staff, has shown genuine commitment to the well-being and success of the students. You can feel it in the hallways. It’s a school-wide culture of compassion and excellence.The entire school radiates a true sense of community. Children of all ages look out for one another, and the school intentionally builds opportunities for cross-age friendships and mentorships. One of my favorite things is the reading buddy program, where older students are paired with younger ones to build literacy and friendship.The parents at Highlands are equally engaged and supportive. It is heartwarming to see how families encourage the friendships our children form at school. There’s a shared sense of connection and respect that extends beyond the classroom and into the community.

The school has gone done dramatically academically in the years since we first started. Too many good teachers have left or were let go, no leadership and they do not have the amenities to justify their price.

The curriculum succeeds beyond its mission for teachers to provide,"...individualized instruction for every student." I state this because the class structure enables teachers to interact with the students more as mentors. Teachers spend more time with each individual; no child is just another student in this regard. In the post-COVID Era world, parents will readily see the benefit of personal instruction students receive from Holy Cross Academy, as this type of teaching can accommodate each student's intellectual strengths. The school's vision is about fostering the utmost intellectual quality in each child. HCA has several veteran teachers that understand HCA's school environment, and they know the nuances of being a student there. I was taught by several of the teachers that still work there now. They have all impacted my intellectual life in the most positive ways. They are always updating their knowledge about what each generation needs to succeed. Of course, the newer teachers are doing a terrific job adding to HCA's relevance in Music, Athletics, Mathematics, World Languages, etc. The HCA Preschool will provide your child with the utmost love and care needed at their age. Many activities revolve around crafts and field trips for the children to experience the world. From Kindergarten to 4th Grade, your child will continue to grow intellectually. For the 5th-8th grade classes, HCA’s teachers will progressively prepare each student for High School level academics. Not only this, but the teachers will help prepare them for top-tier High Schools in Monmouth County. Many alumni of Holy Cross Academy go on to attend schools such as High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School, Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Christian Brothers Academy, Trinity Hall, Red Bank Catholic High School, etc. Overall, I highly recommend this school to any parents looking for the best educational experience for their children.