The Highland Park Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from Highland Park, in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.Highland Park Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Highland Park Public Schools, revised October 19, 2015. Accessed December 8, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades PreK through 12 in the Highland Park School District. Composition: The Highland Park School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Highland Park."
As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,635 students and 155.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.5:1.District information for Highland Park Boro School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.
History The original school building was designed by architect Alexander Merchant. Opened in September 1926, the school was named Franklin Junior High School, serving students through tenth grade and constructed at a cost of $360,000 (equivalent to $ million in ). After appeals from residents, grades 11 and 12 were added and the building was renamed "Highland Park High School" in 1937, before which students from Highland Park completed their secondary school education at either New Brunswick High School or Metuchen High School.Kolva, Jeanne; Pisciotta, Joanne. Highland Park: Borough of Homes, p. 119. Accessed December 8, 2025. Arcadia Publishing, 2005. . "As larger numbers of Highland Park's high school age students traveled out of town to Metuchen or New Brunswick to continue their education as tuition students, demand for a local junior high school began.... The total expenditure was closer to $362,000. Opened in September 1926 for Highland Park's seventh through ninth graders with Alger Maynard as principal, a formal dedication ceremony took place later on October 14 that included placing a cannon donated by American Legion Post 88 on the new school's front yard. The name Franklin Junior High School was chosen one month after dedication day. From 1927 to 1935, the school served children only up to the tenth grade.... The 1936-1937 school year found eleventh graders in the hallways, and the twelfth grade was added the following year. On May 11, 1937, Franklin Junior High was officially renamed 'Highland Park High School.'"
The district had been classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "GH", the third-highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.District Factor Groups (DFG) for School Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 1, 2024.
Schools
Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education StatisticsSchool Data for the Highland Park Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.) are:HIB Resources, Highland Park Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2025.School Performance Reports for the Highland Park Boro School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed September 1, 2025.New Jersey School Directory for the Highland Park Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024. Elementary schools Irving Primary SchoolIrving Primary School, Highland Park Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2025. with 297 students in grades PreK–1 Megan McNally, principalWelcome, Irving Primary School. Accessed December 8, 2025. Bartle Elementary SchoolBartle Elementary School, Highland Park Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2025. with 433 students in grades 2–5 Jennifer Knapp, principal Middle school Highland Park Middle SchoolHighland Park Middle School, Highland Park Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2025. with 346 students in grades 6–8 Caitlin Brady, principal High school Highland Park High SchoolHighland Park High School, Highland Park Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2025. with 518 students in grades 9–12 Kristina Donovan, principal
Administration Core members of the district's administration are:New Jersey School Directory for Middlesex County, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024. Kristina Nicosia, superintendentSuperintendent, Highland Park Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2025. Linda Hoefele, business administrator and board secretaryBusiness Office, Highland Park Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2025.
Board of education The district's board of education is comprised of nine members who set policy and oversee the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year held (since 2012) as part of the November general election. The board appoints a superintendent to oversee the district's day-to-day operations and a business administrator to supervise the business functions of the district.New Jersey Boards of Education by District Election Types - 2018 School Election, New Jersey Department of Education, updated February 16, 2018. Accessed January 26, 2020.Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Highland Park Borough School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2024. Accessed December 8, 2025. "The District is a Type II district located in the County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey. As a Type II district, the School District functions independently through a Board of Education. The Board is comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms. The purpose of the District is to educate students in Grades K to 12." See "Roster of Officials" on page 12.Highland Park Board of Education District Policy 0141 - Board Member Number and Term, Highland Park Public Schools, revised October 28, 2024. Accessed December 8, 2025. "The Board of Education shall consist of nine members. The term of a Board member shall be three years..."Board Members, Highland Park Public Schools. Accessed December 8, 2025.
References
External links Highland Park Public Schools
School Data for the Highland Park Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics