Academic Departments

The primary role of the West Essex Business Department is to offer a curriculum designed to develop financial and economic literacy, technological proficiency, and creativity through problem-based learning and authentic, challenging tasks that prepare students to thrive in the global marketplace. The curriculum reflects current business trends and emerging technologies, such as AI and social media, equipping students to research, evaluate, interpret, and utilize data effectively in today’s fast-paced business world. Students are encouraged to engage with real-world business scenarios, fostering problem-solving, team-building, and critical thinking skills while emphasizing business ethics and time management strategies. Additionally, students gain insight into how AI and social media shape modern business practices, providing them with a forward-looking perspective.

The quality Business Education Program aligns with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Business Education. These standards are built on a vision that prepares students to become knowledgeable and ethical decision-makers in their roles as consumers, workers, and citizens, ensuring they are well-versed in the functional areas of business and poised for success in their future careers.

Supervisor: Mr. Greg Aschoff

The West Essex Regional School District English, Reading, & Libraries department engages students in the work of reading and writing guided by the demands of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. These rigorous standards ask us to support and guide students as they tackle increasingly complex texts and practice writing that questions, analyzes, and explains.

Throughout their course of study, students build knowledge through content rich non-fiction, and through their writing, students apply sophisticated ideas and concepts to the literary content. Students enjoy regular practice with complex texts, rich in academic language. The texts are inclusive of a wide array of genres including the novel, memoir, speech, essay, short story, poetry, literary nonfiction, history, and biography.

Supervisor: Ms. Syrena LoRe

West Essex Regional School District is proud to offer an exceptional array of educational opportunities for its students. From the arts to STEAM, our commitment to excellence shines through in every facet of our curriculum.

Our art, music, family and consumer science, and STEAM programs provide students with the tools they need to explore their passions, whether they're creating masterpieces in the art studio, composing melodies in the music room, or delving into the exciting world of science and technology.

Notably, West Essex has consistently earned the prestigious title of "Best Communities for Music Education" by the National Association of Music Merchants since 2014, a testament to our dedication to nurturing musical talent and appreciation. The Technology Education department is also the recipient of the New Jersey Technology Educators Association "100% Club" which recognizes schools with the highest level of commitment to professional development.

We provide a diverse range of curricular, co-, and extra-curricular programs, including art, dance, fashion, music, photography, theatre, robotics, woodworking, STEAM, and culinary arts. These programs allow students to explore their interests and talents, helping them grow into well-rounded individuals ready to tackle the future.

At West Essex Regional School District, we believe in fostering a love for learning and creativity, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to shine and succeed. Join us in this exciting journey of exploration and discovery!

Supervisor: Mrs. Lisa Swanick

Learn More About Our Extracurricular Offerings!

West Essex students will achieve excellence not only on the field of competition, but in the classroom and in life.  Our Health, Physical Education, & Coaching staff will foster a culture of teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth. Together, West Essex will produce well-rounded, resilient and disciplined young adults who embody the principles of leadership, integrity and community. 

Supervisor: Mr. Tim Walsh

The Mathematics Department at West Essex engages students in a comprehensive study of mathematics aligned with the goals of preparing them for academic and career success. The department emphasizes the exploration, conjecture, and logical reasoning necessary to tackle both routine and non-routine problems. Students are guided to develop proficiency in a range of mathematical methods and are encouraged to apply these techniques effectively across various contexts.

Throughout their course of study, students gain essential mathematical skills through exposure to foundational and advanced topics, enabling them to succeed in future academic pursuits and careers in fields like business and industry. Courses in the department challenge students to think critically, solve complex problems, and communicate clearly using the language of mathematics. Students engage with content that connects mathematics to other disciplines and real-world applications, fostering an appreciation of the subject’s relevance in society.

The department integrates technology into instruction to enhance learning and supports students in using mathematical vocabulary correctly in both oral and written forms. The cumulative nature of mathematics is reflected in the curriculum, which progresses through key areas like algebra, geometry, and calculus. Our focus is on cultivating students as problem solvers, critical thinkers, and confident mathematicians, while increasing their achievement on standardized tests.

Supervisor: Mr. Greg Aschoff

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The West Essex Science Department is committed to inspiring a love of science and motivating students to explore science-related careers. We provide student-centered lessons and hands-on activities that reinforce key concepts, while offering a wide selection of challenging courses designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of scientific knowledge. Students have opportunities to engage with real-world science through projects, field trips, and competitions, all while integrating technology throughout the curriculum. Our program emphasizes the connections between different scientific disciplines and supports interdisciplinary growth by strengthening math and writing skills. Ultimately, the department strives to increase student achievement, both in the classroom and on standardized assessments, preparing students to succeed academically and beyond.

Interim Supervisor: Dr. Michael Fetherman

The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world (National Council for the Social Studies).

A well developed social studies education is essential for students to be committed to the ideas and values of democracy. Civic competence rests on this commitment to democratic values, and requires that citizens have the ability to use their knowledge about their community, nation, and world; to apply inquiry processes; and to employ skills of data collection and analysis, collaboration, decision-making, and problem-solving. Young people who are knowledgeable, skillful, and committed to democracy are necessary to sustaining and improving our democratic way of life, and participating as members of a global community.

Supervisor: Mrs. Laura Drago

Language and communication function as essential components of a student's experience as a 21st century learner. Studying world languages and cultures promotes critical thinking, an appreciation for cultural diversity, and emphasizes the value of diversity. Students are empowered to accept, understand and respect the global community in which they live. Communication in a language other than English fosters global literacy. We embrace the belief that second language learning is an innate human capacity and that all students who speak one language can become proficient in another, albeit at varying rates.

As world language educators we:

• Strive to build student's communication skills both interpreting and producing language in meaningful, real-life contexts.
• Seek to simultaneously examine world cultures while developing the skills of perception - discerning origins, connections and contrasts that foster true understanding and appreciation.
• Promote student-centered, task-oriented learning environments where inquiry, problem-solving, and thematic, cross-content links are featured side by side with the analysis of language systems.
• Utilize our technological resources in order to support language acquisition, cultural exploration and the identification of the relationships they share with other educational areas.
• Believe that learning a world language is an essential, core component of a student's education.

Supervisor: Mrs. Laura Drago