Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year
Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan
Home of the Golden Knights
On behalf of the students, faculty and staff, I welcome you to Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan where a most dedicated and caring group of professional educators positively impact the lives of our students.
Despite the unprecedented challenging environment caused by COVID-19, NVOT continued to be a center of effective teaching and productive learning through the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year. Our philosophy is to provide opportunities for each student to seek answers to questions, challenge assumptions, and develop self-worth. We encourage individual academic excellence, aesthetic appreciation and moral integrity. Recognition of academic and cultural diversity ie encouraged to promote mutual respect and acceptance.
The tradition of excellence at NVOT is exemplified in the Class of 2020 that included a National Merit Scholar, 18 National Merit Commended students and 1 National Hispanic Scholar. 729 Advanced Placement Tests were administered to students across multiple grade levels in 31 subjects, and 85% of all exams were scored a “3” or higher. There were a total of 123 students recognized as AP Scholars, and 6 students were recognized as AP Scholars. The percentage of students with scores of “3” or high was 89%.
Science and Math League Teams excelled at the county and state levels. Our STEM League Team continued its successful participation at competitions in North Jersey, and the Technology Students Association captured awards at the State level in the areas of Engineering Design and Music Production.
In Theatre Arts, the fall drama Metamorphosis received multiple Jo Anne Fox Award nominations, and the All School Musical, Into the Woods, was performed to rave reviews. Paper Mill Playhouse awarded Into the Woods with our highest scores to date. The Theatre Arts program had numerous students compete in the Governor’s Award program, and recognition was achieved in the following categories musical theater solo; musical theatre pairs, comedic pairs and monologue. The Marching Band excelled in various state wide competitions and hosted its 4th annual Saturday Knight Lights competition. Band and choir students were honored with All County, All State and All Region recognition, and the Music Department was recognized as an outstanding Music Community by the National Association of Music Merchants.
The Visual Arts Department coordinated a virtual Fine Arts Festival, and a student was recognized for work at the Art Administrators of NJ Emerging Artists Exhibition. Co-Curricular clubs such as the Debate, Math, and Science Teams, Peer Mentors, Heroes and Cool Kids, Winter Guard, and FBLA provided purposeful and positive opportunities. The DECA club excelled at the local and state competitions and had multiple students qualify at the National level.
Golden Knights Athletics enjoyed an outstanding year highlighted by the following team championships: Volleyball - County Champions, Boys Cross Country - Section Champions, and Wrestling - County Group Champions. NVOT was recognized by the NJSIAA for the 3rd consecutive year with a Sportsmanship Banner for being disqualification free in 2019-2020. Substance awareness educators and lifetime skills program presentations and or assemblies by Mr. Timothy Shoemaker, local law enforcement, and pre-prom presentations for students and parents as well as presentations for students, staff and parents on bullying, diversity, and mental health/well being were conducted.
Students participated in Black History Month assemblies as well as a Veterans Day observance and a Virtual Memorial Day observance. Students benefited from the experience of interesting presenters on Dr Martin Luther King’s impact on The American Civil Rights movement and those who served our country.
NVOT has been recognized in state and national publications. Scores on standardized tests such as AP, ACT and SAT are among the highest in the county and among the highest in the District Factor Group. Approximately 95% of the graduates of the Class of 2020 are continuing their education at four and two-year colleges.
We at Northern Valley-Old Tappan are proud of the caliber of instruction that is offered. The high school will continue to investigate and implement teaching strategies that foster the development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills. We also will continue to promote a positive learning environment in which all students have equal access to learning as well as a respect and appreciation of diversity.
Northern Valley-Old Tappan’s educators are professionals who inspire students to be the best that they can be by translating their potential into successful lifetime skills. We realize that we are entrusted with the ultimate responsibility, the education of a child, and are justifiably proud of our faculty and staff who motivate students to develop a consistent work ethic and achieve their goals. The lifetime skills of effort, work ethic, perseverance, and integrity, skills that students are able to control, are consistently reinforced. It is our belief that when students concentrate on the process and control what they can control, desired results invariably will follow.
As we continue to keep moving forward, controlling what we can control, we look forward to a rewarding and productive 2020-2021 school year, regardless of challenges confronting us, at the Home of the Golden Knights!
Bruce R. Sabatini, Ed.D., Principal
Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan