West Orange Middle Schools Will Look Different Under Realignment Plan

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange district administrators have released more details about a plan to reorganize the town’s middle schools.

The West Orange Public School District is facing a multi-million-dollar budget crunch for the upcoming academic year. It will likely require a tax hike and teacher cuts, administrators say.

>> Read More: West Orange School Budget Cuts Have Teachers, Parents Worried

As part of the effort to bridge the budget gap, administrators have proposed reorganizing the district’s middle schools to serve grades 6 to 8 in each.

Years ago, the district decided to create a “central 6” school by designating Edison exclusively for sixth-graders, with Liberty and Roosevelt educating seventh and eighth-graders. However – while this may have been suited for the educational environment 20 years ago – current data indicates that this configuration may no longer be effective, Superintendent Hayden Moore said at a recent board of education meeting.

On Monday, the district’s superintendent gave an update about how middle schools will be configured in 2025-2026 – and what it will mean for students and parents.

Read Moore’s letter to the community below.

"The district administration has dedicated many hours of thought and deliberation into creating middle school communities that reflect the rich diversity of our town, similar to our high school. By considering parity, proximity, and the integration of students from different neighborhoods, we are aiming to create a well-rounded and inclusive environment for all students, while also offering walkability for many families. Aligning our middle schools so that Edison, Liberty, and Roosevelt host students in grades 6, 7, and 8 is a thoughtful approach to enhance our middle school experience and balance the budget for the 25/26 school year, as well as realizing sustainable savings year after year.

"Our middle schools are intentionally designed with a philosophy of academic continuity and ensuring vertical articulation. This approach allows us to build a stronger foundation for our students as they progress through these important years. We believe this consistent and thoughtful approach helps them thrive academically and socially with familiar administration and staff year to year.

"Our middle school principals will be hosting an evening event for parents and guardians specifically for your child's school. I would like to encourage you to attend with an open mind as this is a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from your principal and ask concerning questions. You'll also have the chance to tour the school buildings. Notices will be sent out to families shortly and your school administration looks forward to welcoming you to the evening parent night.

"We understand there are many questions. For this reason we have prepared the following frequently asked questions, and I encourage you to review them."

Frequently Asked Questions: Middle School Configuration

When will notice be sent regarding which middle school my child will attend for the 25/26 academic school year?

• By May 30, notice will be sent out regarding student placement and the orientation schedule will be shared.

As the parent/guardian, how do I help with this process of transitioning to another school?

• Bring your child to the scheduled orientation and listen with an open mind.
• Introduce yourself and your child to the administration and ask your questions to help ease concerns and establish comfort.
• Emphasize that this decision is made with their best interests at heart.
• There is absolute parity in the middle school configuration. While some students may remain in their school and others may be bussed, the intention is to integrate our buildings and maintain our rich diversity and existing demographics.

What can the district do to help my 7th-grade student who may be feeling uncomfortable attending a different school in the fall?

• The administration understands there might be some trepidation for our students entering Grade 8. For this reason, submission for a request to remain at their present school for grade 8 can be submitted to your school main office for administrative review. The window for this will be announced shortly.

May I request both of my middle school students to remain at their current school?

• This consideration is restricted to our rising 7th Graders into Grade 8 only for the 25/26 school year.

Will there be balance in the new middle school configuration?

• Yes, each of our middle schools will have socio-economic parity, and diversity as well as building population as we prioritize and maintain a well-rounded and inclusive environment.

Will our middle schools continue to offer clubs? And sports?

• Yes, we prioritized saving as many club programs at the middle school level, however, the school district is developing a shared partnership with the township recreation department leadership specifically for our middle school students to help offset costs associated with after school athletics.

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