Woodcliff Middle School

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Woodcliff Middle School is located in Bergen County is comprised of grades six through eight and accommodates 300 students. Our program provides opportunities for students to flourish in a safe, healthy, and intellectually stimulating environment. Woodcliff Middle School is committed to maximizing student achievement and emphasizing high academic standards. Our primary goal is to prepare students for life throughout the twenty-first century.

The faculty in Woodcliff Lake continues to meet the diversity of pupil needs through the optimal use of technology, inquiry based lessons, differentiated learning activities and individualized instruction while maintaining rigorous academic standards and high student achievement. Each (core) teacher is a member of either the sixth, seventh or eighth grade team. Teams closely monitor the students, keeping abreast of their academic progress.

Our middle school is recognized as a "Star School" from the State Department of Education and has been presented with numerous awards for Best Practices. The innovative programs at Woodcliff Middle School are designed, developed and implemented to meet the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, New Jersey Workplace Readiness Standards and assist in our achievement of academic excellence. Our school provides an array of courses which have an impact on all students. Our “core” program (math, science, social studies, language literature, and reading) is scheduled on a seven-day rotating cycle. Each class is 49 minutes in length. In addition, we offer specialized programs (world languages, technology, television and video production, organizational lab, research, art, drama, music appreciation, guidance, band and chorus). Numerous programs offered are need-based (Resource Center, Wilson Reading Program, English Language Services, Gifted and Talented, etc.) and affect selected students. We even offer a 9th period enrichment program to all of our student body. Since it is impossible to adequately highlight all programs on this website, two have been selected as a representative sample: science and technology.

Woodcliff Middle School students experience an inquiry-based science program combining earth science, life science, and physical science. The spiral curriculum and program challenges students to problem solve through classroom and laboratory experiences. Students use a variety of current instructional materials, including video and computer software and hardware. Laboratory investigations are integral to the program.

Students at Woodcliff Middle School participate in a technology infusion model. Rather than teaching Computer Applications as a separate course, our technology teacher collaborates with teachers of Language Literacy, Reading, Science, Math, and Foreign Language to incorporate technology projects into the curricula. The integrated projects cover a wide range of computer programs and skills, including Power Point, Hyper Studio, Publisher, Excel, Flash, databases, spreadsheets and Word Processing. The computer lab is equipped with 25 networked internet-ready Dell computers, to insure that all New Jersey standards in technology are met. In addition to providing students with an authentic context for acquiring new technological proficiencies, our infusion model uses technology to change the way we think about teaching and learning. Our students are engaged in problem solving and critical thinking and producing work that demonstrates their understanding of large thematic ideas.

Our facilities also include a state-of-the-art Media Center which in addition to a large study/presentation area, houses a classroom with wireless laptops, a small group instruction room, a television and video studio, and an additional 15 networked, internet ready computers. Students utilize the Media Center throughout the day and weekday evenings.

A variety of need-based special programs are offered, including supplemental and at-risk instruction. Woodcliff Middle School utilizes the collaborative teaching model in many subject areas. The model is designed to facilitate the inclusion of special needs students in mainstream classes and serves to benefit all students in heterogeneously organized classes.

Enrichment opportunities are provided for ALL students through a creative 9th period after-school program. We also have identified gifted students through extension activities, integrated within the content area curricula and through accelerated and enriched math courses, including eighth grade Honors Algebra. Students participate in various contests, projects and competitions.

Co-curricular offerings include interscholastic and intramural sports, interest clubs such as Math Counts and Literary Magazine, Student Council, and Yearbook. The activities challenge students to problem solve, utilize teamwork, learn sportsmanship, etc.

At Woodcliff Middle School, we are proud of our curriculum, our wonderful students, excellent staff, dedicated parents and supportive community. Our school has successfully developed programs to provide learning opportunities that meet the needs of all students. We will continue our commitment to high academic standards while maintaining a love and excitement for learning.