Welcome to the Rahway Public Schools – "A New Beginning..."

The Rahway community is rich in history.  From the beginning of our country, before and during the Revolutionary War, and as a stop on the famous Underground Railroad, Rahway has truly been at the crossroads of the American experience.   And throughout our history, the education of our children has been key to the American experience.

Benjamin Franklin said,"Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn."  In the Rahway Schools, we seek to involve our children, families, and community in every aspect of our schools. Our comprehensive educational programs, coupled with a state-of-the-art technology infrastructure, provide opportunities for students to become life-long learners and contributing citizens in a worldwide community.  These outstanding programs begin with half-day preschool and full-day kindergarten, which help to engage our students earlier in their educational experience, thus, paving the way to future success.  Our Elementary Gifted and Talented program has been recognized by the State as a "Best Practice" award winner.  Our Special Education programs, ESL/Bilingual and Basic Skills programs, and alternative high school have provided assistance and resources to those students who need additional help. 

Our fine arts, theater, dance, vocal music and award winning instrumental music programs provide students with the opportunity to express themselves creatively.  Our nationally recognized Marine Corp Junior ROTC program brings great pride and recognition to our community.  Our title winning sports programs engage our students in competitive activities in which both teams and individual players have excelled.

We have partnered with the Merck Institute for Science Education for more than a decade to provide our teachers with cutting-edge professional development activities that have improved our instructional approach in both science and mathematics.  Participation in the Kean University Professional Development School has placed us in the forefront of new teacher education programs.  In each of our schools, “student interns” are placed in classrooms at all levels and in a variety of subject areas throughout the district. 

Few high schools in our country have a "Vagelos Scholars" program that helps to provide access to top colleges and universities for graduating seniors who may not have the financial means to attend.  Since 2001, over 25 students have been recognized through this program including back-to-back Valedictorians in 2004 and 2005 who have gone on to attend Princeton University.

Active and creative PTA/PTO organizations support the district's educational mission and citizenship programs through fund-raising and volunteerism.  Together we are helping each child reach their fullest potential and preparing them to become the future teachers, mathematicians, scientists, doctors, lawyers, artists, business leaders, historians and musicians of tomorrow.

The challenge that lies ahead for our school district is to be responsive to the needs of our students as we prepare them to live in an ever- changing world and succeed in a global community.  As the world changes so must the schools.  Noted author Howard Gardner wrote, "Changes in our world are so rapid and so decisive that it will not be possible for schools to remain as they were or to simply introduce a few superficial adjustments."  The challenge for us is to react and adapt to the changing world while, at the same time, remaining true to our mission. 

It is our hope that in each of our schools we foster a sense of wonder that is an essential precondition to learning.  As our children wonder about the world around them, we want them to ask questions, and we want them to know what questions to ask.  We want them to communicate an idea, opinion or perspective in a variety of ways and be able to solve problems.

We hope that you will find our web-site attractive, easy to use, and filled with information that is relevant and helpful.  We are committed to providing an excellent array of educational experiences for the children entrusted to our care.  Our staff members are dedicated professionals who truly care about their students.  The Board of Education and our municipal government understand that a fine school system is an integral part of the community. We understand that teaching and learning are lifelong journeys, and we look forward to traveling that road with all of you.

We have much to be proud of and much to accomplish in the coming years as we work to keep America’s Promise to our youth.  Please join us!

Sincerely,

Frank R. Buglione,

Superintendent of Schools