HISTORY OF TEANECK HIGH SCHOOL
The establishment of Teaneck High School began in 1922 when the far-sighted Board of Education
bought the plot where our Castle on the Hill now stands. Teaneck residents cleared the grounds, creating our
athletic field, which is still used today. Because in 1928, Teaneck students could no longer attend schools in
other towns, the doors to Teaneck High School swung open and welcomed students in the seventh through tenth
grades. Subsequently the following two years, the eleventh and twelfth grades were added. The class of 1931 was
the first to graduate from Teaneck High School. Our Alma Mater was written, the school colors were chosen,
and extra-curricular activities were established in ensuing years. Under the direction of our first two principals,
Mr. Leon High and Mr. Charles Steel, Teaneck High School became one of the finest schools in New Jersey.
Because of overcrowding in the original building, the residents of Teaneck, in 1931 voted to build a new wing
to the school which was not completed until 1936.
Many Teaneck High graduates served their country honorably in World War II and some lost their lives. In
honor of their memory, plaques bearing their names were placed in the main lobby, and in 1954 came the
Memorial Gym which was dedicated to them as well. After the war, the student enrollment became larger than
the capacity of the building and the students had to go on double sessions until 1957, for it was that year that
the students in seventh through ninth grades entered Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson Junior High Schools.
Under the leadership of Miss Helen B. Hill, Principal from 1956-1967, honors courses were instituted, as
well as new mathematics courses and experimental science courses.
In the middle 1960's, the school reached its maximum enrollment in a single season of 2,300 students. The
building was crowded and the town began to talk then of new facilities for our program. Miss Hill retired in
1967 after 37 years of service in Teaneck she was thanked by the community and the Board of Education by
having the auditorium named in her honor. Her picture and an appropriate plaque are displayed there.
Dr. Hendry, who served as Principal from 1967 through 1969, created the Independent Study Program.
Replacing Dr. Hendry in 1969 was Dr. Michaels who made it possible for students to eat lunch out of school and
established co-ed gym. At that time many schools were closed down by student strikes; our high school devoted
one day to a teach-in on the Kent State shootings and the Vietnam war. Student activists also provided the impetus
for the Senior Service Program and the Alternative I program. Further, in the middle 70's, in a move to meet
the education and personal needs of the students the Alternative II program was established.
Mr. James DeLaney was appointed Principal of the high school on January 19, 1977. He supervised a major
renovation and remodeling program which when completed provided students with a two-floor media center, a
television studio and a new industrial arts wing. The late 70's and the early 80's also provided opportunity to again
review and revise the curriculum emphasizing the commitment to meet the needs of all students and to learn from
one another. In addition, 1980 saw us celebrate our 50th graduation and eight members of the class of 1931
shared the momentous occasion with us.
The 80's saw the establishment of a four-year high school. Freshmen became part of the Teaneck scene.
Teaneck established a Holocaust Center in the Third Floor Media Center as we continued to broaden and
strengthen the learning experience. A Suicide Prevention Program became a sophomore experience. A plaque
honoring Teaneck students who died in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts was dedicated and placed in the second
floor lobby. Senators, congressmen, and national leaders visited Teaneck High School. We learned and they learned.
The 90's began with our 60th graduation and has brought us a curriculum that encompassed the globe and
all its many cultures. We are part of a telev