Hardyston Schools Show Impressive Progress on District Goals
Every once in a while, it’s nice to hit pause, look around, and say-“Hey, we’re really doing this.” And that’s exactly the energy at Hardyston Township School District these days, thanks to some serious momentum on their district goals.
Academic Achievement Soars
Let’s get straight to the good stuff: Elementary math proficiency jumped from 39% to 52% in just one year. That’s a 13-point rocket launch, folks. Language arts scores? Up 6 points too. Not too shabby.
“These improvements aren’t happening by accident,” Superintendent Mike Ryder told the board, and honestly, you could feel the pride. It’s the product of teachers rolling up their sleeves, professional development that actually sticks, and smart intervention strategies that meet kids where they are.
One smart move? Partnering with Schoolwide for ELA coaching-kind of like having a personal trainer, but for reading and writing. Plus, they’re layering in targeted intervention schedules across both elementary and middle schools. (Pro tip: Fourth-grade math tutoring kicks off in April and May, just in time to give students a boost before state tests.)
Dramatic Improvement in Attendance
Remember when chronic absenteeism was sky-high after COVID? Hardyston sure does. Their absentee rate had crept into the mid-20% range-ouch. But thanks to a “it takes a village” approach-mixing accountability with a real effort to make school somewhere kids want to be-they’ve whittled that number down to about 12%.
“Students need to be here if they’re going to achieve success,” Ryder said. (Simple truth, big impact.) And the best part? They’re on track to break into the single digits soon.
Staff Collaboration and Recognition
Culture matters. Hardyston knows that.
That’s why their third goal zeroes in on boosting staff collaboration and school spirit. We’re talking team-building events, spirit weeks, and a neat little initiative called “Front Porch” - virtual chats where staff can kick around big ideas about education.
Board members liked what they saw. Nick Demsak summed it up nicely: “The data now shows we are improving and growing, and we need to build off of that.”
Looking Forward
This isn’t just a victory lap-it’s a launchpad.
The district’s leadership team is keeping their eyes on the horizon, staying transparent, and making sure the community is along for the ride. As one Board member said, “When you have that laser focus on student achievement, the results speak for themselves.”
Hardyston’s story proves what can happen when administrators, teachers, parents, and board members all row in the same direction. (Spoiler: amazing things.)
If you want to stay in the loop, Board of Education meetings are open to the public and happen monthly. Bring your questions, your ideas-or just come to see some hard-earned progress in action.