Paramus High School

Built on Tradition
Cultivated Through Excellence

Paramus High School is a comprehensive high school serving approximately 1,240 students in the ninth through twelfth grades. A suburb of New York City, Paramus is located about eight miles west of Upper Manhattan in Bergen County, New Jersey.

We offer an impressive range of course offerings and programs mindfully selected to provide our students with every advantage available through the New Jersey public school system. We are committed to ensuring that PHS students have the education they need to succeed after graduation and the opportunity to enjoy the high school experience through participation in programs such as sports, music, and special interest clubs. We invite you to see why Paramus High School is an excellent choice for your education.

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear PHS Families,

Welcome to the 2023–2024 school year! We are prepared for another year at PHS built on tradition and cultivated through excellence. On behalf of the entire PHS community, I send you this letter with great optimism that this upcoming year will be one of our finest ever.

As we enter into this unprecedented era of generative AI education, we remain progressive and excited about our approach to teaching and learning. We are anxious to move forward with technological education as an even more immediate resource for informational research. The ever changing landscape of education has taken a unique turn over the last year and we are prepared to navigate our students through uncharted waters. I am confident that our best practices and student-centered leadership will empower students to utilize these new levels of technology as a tool while they create their own authentic and autonomous products.

It is my pleasure to announce a few administrative shifts that will occur at PHS this year. Ms. Angione, our esteemed assistant principal, is expected to return from maternity leave during the month of December. Her interim replacement will be veteran PHS administrator, Dr. Pilacik. Prior to his retirement a few short years ago, Dr. Pilacik spent over 15 years at PHS as an assistant principal and the STEM supervisor. We also look forward to welcoming our new athletic director, Mr. England during the month of November. While Mr. England concludes his time in his current district, we are pleased to welcome back Mr. Barnes as our interim athletic director. Mr. Barnes served as the lead teacher of the math department for 25 years. In addition to being an NJSIAA Hall of Fame Golf Coach, his coaching experience extends to over 10 different sports for both boys and girls. The passion, energy, and mindfulness that drive the practice of these professionals will immediately impact PHS in the most positive of ways.

As a district we continue to Go Green! Therefore all of our important information will continue to be streamlined through the Genesis Parent Portal, email, and our district website. Please update your information in Genesis prior to the start of the year, especially your contact information.

As a reminder, all student absences are to be entered directly into Genesis - it is unnecessary to call the school to report general absences. There is no need to mark your child present if they are coming to school, you only need to follow these procedures when your child will be absent, tardy, or needs to leave early from school.

Lastly, it is important to note that we cannot reach the highest levels of success without creating the very important connection between school and family. As students progress through their high school years, we must continue to embrace our position as their role models. Together we must celebrate their successes and, when necessary, redirect them with dignity. I urge you to strike that delicate balance of allowing your teenage children to be autonomous, while at the same time maintaining oversight on their decisions, behaviors, and choices. As a #Family First community, our Back to School Night is Wednesday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m. On that same evening, we will host the 9th Grade and New Parent Meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. I look forward to seeing you then as we continue to build the bridge between PHS and your family.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Sincerely,

Raymond J. Kiem

Raymond J. Kiem, Principal