Welcome to Northern Valley Regional High School
Welcome to the 2022-2023 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 impacts the lives of our students.
NVOT continued to be a center of effective teaching and productive learning throughout the 2021-2022 school year. We are proud of the resilience and positive response of our students and staff despite being confronted by many challenges. We will continue to build strong communication and relationships among students, staff, our families, and the administration. Our priority is to keep our schools a safe place physically and emotionally for our students and staff, and ensure that everyone is accepted regardless of any perceived differences.
The tradition of excellence at NVOT is exemplified in the Class of 2022 that included 3 National Merit Finalists, 20 multiple National Merit Commended students and 2 National Hispanic Scholars. Nearly 900 Advanced Placement Tests were administered to students across multiple grade levels in 32 subjects. There were a total of 158 students recognized as AP Scholars as well as 16 students recognized with the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. 81% of total students tested scored a 3 or higher on AP Exams.
The Math League Team excelled at the county and state levels. The Technology Student Association captured multiple awards at the New Jersey State and National Conferences. DECA and FBLA Clubs excelled at the virtual local and state competitions and had multiple students qualify at the national level.
In Theatre Arts, the comedy, Out of the Frying Pan, the musical, SpongeBob SquarePants, and the musical comedy, Urinetown, were performed to rave reviews. The Music Department continued to be recognized as an outstanding Music Community by the National Association of Music Merchants. The Marching Band/Color Guard won the 2021 US Bands Group 2A State Championship. Instrumental and Choral groups and students received county, state, and national recognition.
The Visual Arts Department coordinated an outstanding Fine Arts Festival, and multiple students were recognized for their work at various contests. Co-Curricular clubs such as the Debate and Math Teams, Peer Mentors, Heroes and Cool Kids, and Winter Guard provided purposeful and positive opportunities.
Golden Knights Athletics enjoyed an outstanding year highlighted by the following team championships: Fall: Girls Cross Country - County and Sectional; Volleyball: Sectional; Spring: Girls Track and Field: County and Group State; Boys Golf: and Baseball: County.
Students attended and participated in multiple assemblies including A Better High: Using Natural Highs to Cope with Disappointment, by Dr. Matthew Bellace, a Black History Month program, United We Stand, by Key Arts Productions, and Holocaust education presented by Dr. Alex Levy and Ms. Trudy Album. Veterans Day and Memorial Day observances also were presented. Additionally, presentations were communicated on the topics of substance awareness education, bullying, diversity, and mental health/well being.
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 state within its District Factor Group. Approximately 91% of the graduates of the Class of 2022 are continuing their education at four and two-year colleges. 9% are continuing in career education programs, employment, or the military.
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 keep moving forward into the 2022-2023 school year, we will continue to Control What We Can Control, regardless of the challenges confronting us, at the Home of the Golden Knights!
Sincerely,
Bruce R. Sabatini, Ed.D., Principal
Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan