Ridgewood NJ, Big changes are coming to the Ridgewood Board of Education this fall. As the community prepares for the upcoming November 2026 election, a key trustee has announced they will not be seeking reelection, opening up a massive opportunity for fresh leadership in the district. Trustee Saurabh Dani was the last BOE member who could still add.
The Death of the Harvard A: Ivy League Crackdown on “Grade Inflation” Sparks Student Outrage
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Getting an ‘A’ at Harvard University is about to become significantly harder. In a historic move to protect its academic prestige, Harvard’s faculty has officially voted to clamp down on runaway grade inflation by implementing a strict cap on top marks.
Activism Over Academics? The Alarming Surge in School Walkouts as Civics Scores Plummet
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, American classrooms are transforming into political battlegrounds. Across the country, a massive surge in student walkouts and politically charged demonstrations is fueling a fierce national debate: Is school-sanctioned activism filling the gaps left by a failing K-12 education system, or is it directly interfering with it?
Ridgewood Crew seniors Luciano Saladino and James Ryan capped off an undefeated lightweight rowing season this spring by winning a national championship in the Boys Lightweight Senior 2x race at the 2026 Scholastic Rowing Association of America regatta in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (Credit: Jimmy Saladino)
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oak Ridge, Tennessee – Ridgewood won its fifth national rowing title in five years and took home five medals overall at the 2026 Scholastic Rowing Association of America regatta this past weekend. And for the second year in a row, the team also topped the entire field for the most sculling event podium finishes — one gold, two silver, and two bronze — and ranked second among all schools for total medals won, coming just behind a sweeping program from the Midwest that took home six medals.
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood High School Alumni Association
From Pandemic Pivot to Beloved Tradition: The Story Behind Ridgewood’s 3,000+ Graduation Banners
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, If you take a drive through the Village of Ridgewood this week, you will notice a vibrant, community-wide burst of school spirit. Early Saturday morning, a dedicated team of Ridgewood High School (RHS) volunteers gathered to hang 430 customized senior banners across town, officially kicking off the graduation countdown for the spectacular Class of 2026.
Pictured: L-R Aarav Motivala, Mathias Levani, Elliott Yi, and Ben Soung, members of the RHS Team VitaFlow, which one first place at the Thomas Edison Pitch Contest on May 13th.
RHS Applied Engineering Club Claims International Victory — First Time Since 2020 — Hours After AP Physics C Exam
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — On May 13, members of the Ridgewood High School (RHS) Applied Engineering Club, competing as Team VitaFlow, captured first place at the prestigious Thomas Edison Pitch Contest, defeating student teams from around the world in a final event held at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey. The victory marks the first time since 2020, when the RHS Lemelson-MIT Solar Aqua Tech InvenTeam claimed top honors, that an RHS Applied Engineering Club team has earned this distinction.
Local Mayor’s Visit to Hawes Elementary Sparks Fierce Schedler Property Debate in Ridgewood
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood School System
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A seemingly heartwarming moment of civic engagement at Hawes Elementary School has thrust a controversial local environmental issue back into the spotlight, highlighting growing community frustrations over municipal land-use decisions.
The all-senior Ridgewood crew of Luciano Saladino and James Ryan capped an undefeated lightweight rowing season by taking home the James R. Barker Jr. Trophy at the 2026 Stotesbury Cup after trouncing the competition in the Boys Lightweight Senior Double event. (Credit: Denise Ryan)
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Ridgewood Crew won more medals than any other sculling team and took home two championship trophies this past weekend at the 2026 Stotesbury Cup Regatta, finishing off an outstanding spring rowing season that saw the team set several new program records.
The Higher Education Dilemma: Do Students Actually Think College is Worth the Cost?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, As college tuition fees continue their steady upward march across the United States, families are facing a stressful financial crossroads. In states like New Jersey, average rates for a four-year public university sit right in line with the national average, hovering at around $16,714 per academic year, according to higher education dashboards.
When parents want the best for their teens, it is easy for support to turn into pressure. Adolescence is a time of rapid change, emotional growth, and increasing academic expectations. Teens need encouragement, but too much intensity can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. The goal is not to push harder, but to guide smarter. Helping your teen strive means creating an environment where effort is valued, mistakes are accepted, and growth feels achievable rather than overwhelming.
Many parents unintentionally equate high expectations with love, believing that pushing harder leads to better outcomes. However, research and experience often show the opposite when pressure becomes chronic. Teens may disengage, procrastinate, or experience emotional exhaustion. Learning to balance encouragement with emotional safety is essential for long-term development. This balance helps teens build internal motivation rather than relying on external approval, which is key to sustainable success in academics and life.
Ridgewood Legend Honored: Heermance Place Officially Renamed “Pizzuto Way” at RHS
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The heart of Ridgewood is getting a new landmark.
Some educators leave a mark on a school building; Basil Pizzuto left one on an entire generation. In a permanent tribute to a man whose influence stretched far beyond the classroom, Ridgewood High School (RHS) has announced the official renaming of Heermance Place to Pizzuto Way.
15 Bergen County Students Win Prestigious $2,500 National Merit Scholarships
the staff of the ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The results are in, and Bergen County continues to prove itself as an academic powerhouse. On Wednesday, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced a new round of winners, awarding 15 local high school seniors a prestigious $2,500 scholarship for their upcoming college careers.
Ridgewood Crew shows off its hardware in a group photo with Coaches Boris Roque-Alvarez and Kassandra Luna (Photo credit:Elizabeth Suri)
Ridgewood had sent 11 of its 17 boats through to the finals, claimed seven total medals, and amassed 131 points among sculling teams, good enough for third overall out of 29 programs
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
West Windsor, New Jersey – Ridgewood Crew broke a team record this past Sunday by qualifying nine boats and 21 rowers for the USRowing Youth National Championships during its racing at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
Facing a deep field of 550 entries from more than five-dozen scholastic and club teams across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, Ridgewood’s overall performance established it as among the best programs in the region. By the regatta’s end, Ridgewood had sent 11 of its 17 boats through to the finals, claimed seven total medals, and amassed 131 points among sculling teams, good enough for third overall out of 29 programs. That mark was also tops among all scholastic sculling teams.
New Jersey’s “Sanctuary State” Debate: Why Lawmakers Are Fast-Tracking Gender-Transition Bill S2260/A2218
the staff of the ridgeewood blog
Trenton NJ,Trenton is moving at lightning speed this week as New Jersey lawmakers push forward a controversial legislative package that would designate the state as a legal “sanctuary” for gender-transition procedures. With critical votes scheduled for Monday, May 11th, and Thursday, May 14th, residents and parental rights advocates are sounding the alarm, asking one central question: Why the rush?
The healthcare landscape is shifting. While traditional four-year universities have long been seen as the “gold standard” for career success, a new reality is emerging in 2026. In high-cost, high-demand markets like California, students and career-changers are looking for a better Return on Investment (ROI). They want specialized skills, minimal debt, and immediate entry into the workforce.
If you are looking to secure a stable future in the Golden State, two specific paths stand out as the most reliable gateways to the medical field.
