How a New Jersey School Evolved from Two Separate Institutions into a Modern Campus
In short: Dwight-Englewood School is a coeducational college-preparatory institution in Bergen County, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Formed by the 1973 merger of two distinct schools, it has grown into a sprawling campus that balances traditional academics with unique programs like fifth-grade opera production and competitive robotics.
The school traces its roots to 1889, when the Dwight School for Girls was established by Euphemia S. Creighton and Ellen W. Farrar, named to honor Yale University president Timothy Dwight V. Decades later, in 1928, the Englewood School for Boys was founded. These two institutions operated independently until 1973, when they combined to form a single nonprofit corporation. The campus expanded further in 1993 by merging with The Bede School, which allowed the institution to incorporate students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.
Today, the school operates across a 45-acre campus featuring 15 buildings, including the Hajjar STEM Center and the Swartley Arts Center. The academic structure is divided into three levels: the Lower School, the Middle School, and the Upper School. The institution maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, based on data from the 2019-20 school year, during which it enrolled over 1,000 students. It has held formal recognition from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1999 and received the United States Department of Education's Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence in 1987.
Beyond standard coursework, the school emphasizes experiential learning. Fifth-grade students participate in a program where they write and stage an original opera, a tradition spanning over three decades. Meanwhile, the Upper School robotics team, Critical Mass, has competed at international levels, including the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship. The school’s athletic program, known as the Bulldogs, participates in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference, fielding teams in sports ranging from lacrosse and tennis to ultimate frisbee.
The school has also navigated periods of public scrutiny and internal change. In 2021, the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism criticized certain lessons regarding race and gender identity. Shortly thereafter, a faculty member resigned, citing concerns over the school's approach to diversity. In 2022, the school’s leadership underwent a significant transition when Head of School Dr. Rodney De Jarnett resigned following conduct that the Board of Trustees deemed inconsistent with the institution's standards.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Dwight-Englewood School
- Also: Wikidata — Dwight-Englewood School · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Dwight-Englewood School Bookstore · CC0
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