So typical of the administration at the high school. Failure to plan ahead, failure to admit mistakes. That May test date can't be avoided for a lot of Juniors, who will have to end up skipping Prom. Principal doesn't care, he seems to think that the academic achievers are too nerdy anyway.

Glad the Titus family spoke up. I thought this was a mistake last year that would be resolved for this year 's juniors. Was very surprised to see the conflict arise for a second year, as if it is no big deal.

I think it is negligent for the high school to schedule a junior prom the night before the SAT, which is targeted to juniors. The SAT dates are determined well in advance. Like it or not, the SAT is second only to GPA in consideration by colleges. Shouldn't the schools be our partners in doing all possible to enhance our kids' performance on this test? Scheduling a prom or any other major recreational event the night before any SAT or SAT II is wrong. Why would the district put its kids in the position of making a choice between their prom and the SAT's? Prom is a rite of passage and all the kids should be given the chance to go with out the fear of the SAT looming over their heads!

The argument that there are a number of opportunities to sign up for the SAT tests is quite absurd. Most juniors take the PSAT in October of junior year and these results are not in until mid December. I would think students prefer to see their performance on the PSAT before taking the SAT's. Hence from what we have seen, the popular SAT dates for juniors are Jan, March, May & June. Some students take the subject tests after the AP's when they are better prepared for it. So if June is when students plan to take the SAT subject tests, they only have the Jan, Mar & May dates available for the SAT. If they intend to retake it (which most of them would) there is no way they can avoid the May 4th SAT date.

Absolutely true, Sheila. But do you expect the school administration to keep tabs on what those pesky smart kids who take too many AP tests and might actually be trying to get into a top notch college might need? Never mind that they're the ones who pull up the rankings of the school, but they are constantly being vilified as being overly competitive. Everyone who has been through Junior year knows how important the May SAT date is for everyone, but particularly the kids who need subject matter SATs and take APs need all those dates. If the Principal doesn't know this, it should be grounds for dismissal. And if he knows this and doesn't care, what does that tell you?

First and foremost, the goal of the school should be create opportunities for students to perform well on tests and exams. For students that are taking AP exams, they already have an additional burden of taking the SAT in May. Too bad they will not ge going to the junior prom because of the upcoming exams. It is extremely callous of the principal to say that there is always 'conflict with something'. In the junior year, the key academic milestones are the SAT exams and the AP exams - it is a shame that the school didn't work around these dates when scheduling the junior prom. If the school system itself does not pay attention to the student's needs and schedules, then who would?

"There always is 'a conflict with something' in trying to schedule events at the high school." The SAT is not just any old "something." Further, the SAT schedule is published well in advance of testing, so there is no excuse for planning the prom for the night before a test. Maybe "there were not many dates available to book a location for the prom" because other high schools had their priorities straight, planned to avoid a prom/SAT conflict, and booked far enough ahead to be able to do so.

Just take the SAT test another date. Keep it simple . People . Colleges look at a lot more than just tests. Looking for the all around kid. Get a job works wonders.

I noticed this conflict on the district calendar and originally thought it was a misprint. It is just unfortunate that such a conflict exists. I never dreamed that it would be a school sponsored event for juniors that messed things up for juniors. Does anyone from past experience know what time the students return from the prom?

typical Mr. Howlett response you think with four assistant principals somebody could research the test dates and not schedule a prom the night before amazing how this goes on now 2 years in a row.

Reba sorry. But you are quite mistaken. You can get into "good" colleges . Believe me my son was accepted at all and even the schools where he did not meet the requirements on paper. Take the sat in June........

@c- your remark is insulting. What you may consider a "good" college may be academically beneath what someone else aspires to and is capable of achieving. Ivy League and the top ranked schools do require all the tests as Reba outlined. Who are you to suggest that a qualified kid should have to forego that experience to attend a Prom, or that there's something wrong with aspiring to go to the best. Unless your child got into Harvard without testing or any special abilities, you know not of what you speak. And yes, there are other "good" schools much further down the competitive ladder, but must we totally give up the idea that anyone should strive for excellence?

It's been this way at Ridge for YEARS-as an alumna I can attest to seeing many of my peer having to make the difficult choice. The fact of the matter is that SAT's are offered every month during the school year and that Ridge students are too busy to take them at other points. These kinds of decisions are ones that will prepare students for college, choosing between attending a formal or going out the night before a big exam. While it is unfortunate the administration chose this date, it should not be a surprise for the Bernards Township community.