Mendham School District Earns School Leader Award

MENDHAM BOROUGH, NJ — The Mendham Borough Public School District was recently honored by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA.)

Specifically, the district was awarded the 2025 School Leader Award for its program: “Middle School Superpowers – Strengthening the Home School Connection.”

The School Leader Award is given to NJ school districts that implement “creative and effective programs that New Jersey schools are implementing to enhance student achievement.”

The awards are given based on the district program’s innovation, as well as its ability to meet students’ educational needs.

Mendham Borough’s program relies heavily on involving parents in the curriculum. The NJSBA says that as students grow older, their parents often become less involved in their schoolwork and education. As studies show that parental involvement can lead to students’ success in school, Mendham Borough found a way to keep them involved in their middle schoolers’ education.

Launched in 2023, the Middle School Superpowers – Strengthening the Home School Connection program involves a “Parent Book Club,” fostering “collaboration between the school and parents.”

The book for the 2024-2025 school year was “Middle School Superpowers – Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times,” written by Phyllis Fagell. Parents would meet once a month with each other to discuss the book, and have a monthly “lesson” with their children at home, revolving around one of the book’s many “superpowers.”

“The Middle School Superpowers program structure is one that can be replicated in future years,” an NJSBA statement read. “To continue to provide opportunities for parents to engage, the 2025-2026 school year will feature a ‘Parent Series,’ offering presentations and discussions on a variety of pertinent topics, with the goal of facilitating another Parent Book Club in the 2026-2027 school year.”

Four other NJ school districts received the 2025 School Leader Award, including Teaneck Public School District, Manville Public School District, Livingston Public School District, and Wildwood Public School District. Click here to learn more about their award-winning programs.