Transitioning to high school from grammar school can be a daunting task.
To reach out to families and ease the process, Ridgewood High School hosted an open house Dec. 2.
New this year was allowing parents and students to customize the tour by selecting four presentations among 14 options, explained Jen Snyder, director of student services at Ridgewood .
“We let them choose their own adventure,” she said. “That way they could customize the experience.
The program is open to both seventh- and eighth-graders so parents can come both years.
Ewa Baran brought her son to the open house to see what the school had to offer in the way of technology.
“There’s always something new, and your future depends on knowing how (technology) works,” she said.
Her son, Bart, was impressed by the offerings, especially for preparation into the job world.
“It seems like whatever I want, I can find here,” he said.
Future student Jimmy Spanda called the introduction to high school “pretty cool.”
“They have some very good college prep classes,” he noted.
His father, Jim, was impressed with the depth of knowledge of the faculty.
“There are some very informative teachers here,” he said.
Both were quick to praise the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum. Part of the school’s five-year renovation project included a wing for STEM classes.
Julie (Marbach) Due, an alumna of Ridgewood, now serves as principal at St. Mary, Seat of Wisdom in Park Ridge.
“I now have a lot of parents from Norridge asking me for recommendations for high school,” she said. “Since my niece attends St. Eugene’s, I thought it would be worth a trip” to check out her alma mater.
Her take on the school was that it was very inclusive, having classes that address all students’ needs, from advanced placement to special education, and the capability to help those who want to thrive but need a boost.
“They don’t teach religion, but they do stress what it takes to be a good citizen,” Due said. “I was very impressed.”
With two children already at the high school and two in junior high at Union Ridge School, one parent said the event was a great opportunity for her to know what’s going on in school.
“The tour was great, but too short,” she said.
“It’s just a taste to get kids excited,” explained bi-lingual teacher Renee Rudnicki. “If this gives families a feel for our involvement, then it’s ‘mission accomplished.’”
Anthony Pipitone noted a big difference since 1985, when he was a student.
“It’s a lot better,” he said as he toured the school with his son, Michael. “I want him to succeed academically and in sports.
The younger Pipitone said, “I just like all the help you get from teachers.”
Snyder said 90 percent of the kids know they are coming to Ridgewood.
“It’s that 10 percent we want to see what the school has to offer, our investment in curricular needs.”
That includes new formats and an expanded science, math and extra curricular schedule.
“Some of our graduates make it to upper echelon schools,” she said, seeking to dispel a myth that RHS grads are not accepted in prestigious colleges.
She noted parents are extremely involved in the public school systems that feed into Ridgewood, which has an enrollment of 800.
“We’re small, but we take pride in that the kids get that personal attention,” she said. “That’s what sets Ridgewood apart.