Superintendent
ENCOURAGE, EMPOWER, EXPLORE, EXCEL
There are many challenges facing all public schools in New Jersey. Here at Watchung Hills Regional, we are working hard to determine the next level of work in expanding opportunities for our students to explore their talents and excel beyond their expectations. This is no easy task in a high-performing school district. We acknowledge that it is also becoming increasingly difficult to strike a balance between adhering to the multitude of federal and state mandates while continuing to enhance the rigorous and varied program of study we are known for at Watchung Hills.
To meet these challenges head-on, we recently completed a comprehensive strategic planning process to chart our course for the next five years. Grounded in our core mission—to inspire every student to discover their voice, define their path, and develop their passion—our new 2026–2031 Strategic Plan reflects rich, collaborative conversations with all of our stakeholders: students, staff, parents, and community members.
This roadmap is built upon four priority, long-range goals designed to guide our decisions, facilities, and academic programs through 2031:
- Goal #1: Student-Centered Experience
- We will continue to foster a student-centered approach to enhance the overall WHRHS experience, ensuring our grading, coursework, and alternative learning pathways reflect evolving student interests and real-world opportunities.
- We will continue to foster a student-centered approach to enhance the overall WHRHS experience, ensuring our grading, coursework, and alternative learning pathways reflect evolving student interests and real-world opportunities.
- Goal #2: Community Engagement & Connection
- We will strengthen engagement and meaningful connections across the learning community by empowering student voice, improving participation in school-wide activities, and creating robust feedback loops.
- We will strengthen engagement and meaningful connections across the learning community by empowering student voice, improving participation in school-wide activities, and creating robust feedback loops.
- Goal #3: Resources, Materials, & Facilities
- We will provide our faculty and students with the modern resources, technology, and facility spaces necessary to succeed and lead in an ever-evolving world.
- We will provide our faculty and students with the modern resources, technology, and facility spaces necessary to succeed and lead in an ever-evolving world.
- Goal #4: Inclusive & Safe Learning Environments
- We will build inclusive, relationship-driven environments that promote kindness, belonging, physical safety, and social-emotional growth, ensuring every individual feels valued.
As we bring this plan to life, our staff continues to have focused conversations around cultivating safe and supportive relationships, designing flexible and rigorous future pathways, and ensuring that our financial and facility planning remains completely aligned with student well-being.
Furthermore, our work extends beyond our 9–12 campus. Continuous collaboration and curriculum articulation with our sending districts remain essential to strengthening our programs and expanding our capacity to meet every student's needs before they even step through our doors.
Our highly collaborative, dedicated staff, exceptionally talented students, and supportive, engaged community are vital partners as we work to continually enhance the achievement and well-being of ALL Watchung Hills students. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the creation of this vision, and I look forward to your continued partnership as we build the future of the Watchung Hills Regional High School District together.
Warm Regards,
Elizabeth C. Jewett, Ph.D.
Superintendent