Ridgeway Elementary School is one of three elementary schools within Manchester Township School District. Ridgeway School accommodates 540 students with classes spanning from preschool through fifth grade. The Ridgeway School is a community of caring individuals dedicated to meeting the needs of all students. It is the mission of the Ridgeway School to “cultivate a strong partnership between the school and community” and to foster responsibility, integrity, excellence, and academic achievement in order to yield productive, caring citizens.
The Ridgeway Elementary School continues to provide its students with a well-balanced program based upon educational research. An interdisciplinary approach to instruction is used which helps to make our programs meaningful and relevant for children. Programs are designed to address their academic, social, and emotional skills. The teachers of Ridgeway Elementary School regularly integrate various new teaching techniques and effective behavioral strategies to promote student academic achievement. Our reading series offers a balanced literacy approach. We are fortunate to have a literacy coach as part of our team. The English as a second language program for the district continues to be concentrated in Ridgeway School. In addition to reading/language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, our students have the opportunity to participate in vocal and instrumental music, art, physical education activities, and world language instruction. Ridgeway School has a computer lab, along with computers in the Media Center and additional computers with internet access in each classroom. Collaborative teaching, cooperative learning, differentiated instruction, manipulatives, computers, Elmo machines, Promethean boards, Mobis and E-Clickers are used to reinforce visual, auditory and tactile learning styles.
Kindergarten is a full day program that focuses on academics as well as social growth. A full day program allows children and teachers time to explore topics in-depth and provide an environment that favors a child-centered, developmentally appropriate approach. In addition, children engage in all of the special area activities, including physical education, art, music and library.
Ridgeway School utilizes a variety of resources to ensure an excellent education for all our students. We recognize that it takes more than the school staff to ensure that our children receive an excellent education. In addition to our regular staff members, classroom volunteers are used extensively throughout the school. These volunteers are comprised of parents, local senior citizens, and community members. An after care program is offered at the school through Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission to accommodate working parents.
Additional programs are also in place during school hours and before or after school. NJ ASK 3, 4, & 5 test preparation programs provide test taking strategies and problem solving techniques that assist the students in meeting the challenges of the state testing requirements. Our SHAPE (School Home Achievement Partnership for Education) after school program gives students an opportunity to learn cooperative skills, tolerance for others along with an academic focus in the areas of math and language arts. Ridgeway School is also a recipient of a $10,000 Media Center Enhancement Grant provided by Ocean First Foundation. Our Junior Impact Club promotes student learning, civic responsibility and service to others. The club provides elements of community service with activities sponsored by the local Rotary Club. Our “Values of the Month” help promote a positive school climate and tolerance and respect for one another.
We want every child to know that he/she is a special, unique individual who is an integral part of our school community.