Parents & Students

Kindergarten Choice

If your child will be 5 years old by October 31, 2020 and resides in Paterson, now is the time to register for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Beginning Monday, March 2, 2020, you may call the Office of Central Registration at 973-321-2501 to schedule your Kindergarten registration appointment; schedule appointments will take place Friday, March 27th through Friday, June 5th. Evening appointments are available.

Paterson Academy For The Gifted & Talented Open House

Applications available for the Dual Language Program at EWK, Fine & Performing Arts, and the Young Mens Academy. The deadline for applications is March 27.

Paterson Academy For The Gifted & Talented Open House

The Paterson Academy for the Gifted and Talented at School 28 is designed for students throughout the city in grades 2-8 who qualify to attend through the gifted screening and identification process.

Salman Chowdhury Honored at Board of Education Meeting

Paterson Public Schools officials and Board of Education commissioners honored the district’s top scorers on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) that were administered last spring. Among the honorees is Salman Chowdhury of Public School No. 28, who has earned a perfect score of the state assessments for the second consecutive year.

"Escape the Vape"

The Paterson Public School district has taken a strong stance against all substances associated with electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) including e-cigarettes and vape pens. With youth vaping on the rise coupled with death and illnesses skyrocketing nationwide, it is important to be educated on the effects and dangers that vaping and nicotine has on our bodies. Our district is providing all of our site visitors about the current trends and news updates, helpful links and printable materials for students and their families, and quitting resources in light of this vaping crisis. The Paterson Anti-Vaping Committee is dedicated to making sure all of our students are vape free and understand the dangers of ENDS and their use. Important information about this issue can be found on our District Vaping Page.

The District’s First International Baccalaureate Diploma Graduate

Aamya Perez was first in her class when she graduated from International High School in June, and now she has scored another first. Perez has received notification that she has earned the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma in recognition of her exceptional work in completing its rigorous requirements while a student in the IB program at IHS. 

“Aamya Perez is the epitome of a student who makes the most of the opportunities that are presented to her,” said Superintendent of Schools Eileen Shafer. “She worked very hard to earn the IB diploma and she will go down in the history of our district as the first to do so. I want to congratulate her, as well as her parents, her teachers, her administrators and all who supported Amaya in high school. We all wish her continued success at UPenn.”

Curriculum Survey

Together with you, Paterson Public Schools is committed to developing curricula that meets the needs of all students. To do that, we need your feedback. Please fill out the survey to be a part of this important process that will increase your students’ understandings and improve their academic outcomes.

Curriculum Survey for Students, Parents, and Community Members

Parental Notification of Assessments

In order to provide parents and guardians with information regarding any state assessment or commercially developed standardized assessment that will be administered over the course of the school year the following two charts outline the assessments that the Paterson School District administers:

 High School Parental Notification of Standardized Assessments

 Elementary Parental Notification of Standardized Assessments

State Household Survey

Some Paterson Public Schools families will be receiving the state’s Household Information Survey in the mail. If you receive one, please complete it and return it to your child’s school ASAP. It will help our schools become eligible for more funding. Please see the video below.   

Student Immunization Records Requirement

New Jersey state law requires all public school students to have complete immunization records on file at their school.
A child who has an incomplete record of immunizations may not be permitted to attend public school. Also, all sixth grade students require two additional immunizations.
If you have received notification that your child’s immunization records are incomplete, or if your child will enter the sixth grade in September, please contact your family doctor or clinic so your child may receive the needed immunizations.
If you do not have a family doctor or clinic, please contact the Paterson Board of Health at 973-321-1277 or the Paterson Community Health Center at 973-278-2600. They are ready to assist families needing vaccinations for their children. Flyer with details

Free Preschool for Paterson Children

Studies show that children who attend preschool have a long-lasting advantage in school. If you are a parent or guardian of a Paterson boy or girl who is 3 or 4 years old, they are entitled to a full day of preschool instruction at no charge. Registration should take place at the preschool center of your choice. Click on the link in English, Spanish, Arabic or Bengali for more information or call 973-321-2501.

Report Cards on Parent Portal Pilot Program

The District is making fourth marking report cards available online for a select number of schools in a special pilot program that is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 26th. The schools involved in this pilot program are:

• Public School No. 8
• Public School No. 13
• Public School No. 16
• Public School No. 29
• The New Roberto Clemente School
• The Urban Leadership Academy
• The School of Education and Training (Kennedy Educational Complex)
• The School of Business, Technology, Marketing & Finance (Kennedy Educational Complex)

In order to access student progress reports online, parents need an activation code to set up an account on the Infinite Campus parent portal. Parents can get their activation codes, as well as assistance in setting up their Infinite Campus accounts, by contacting the main office of the school their child attends.
Parents with an Infinite Campus account can access the parent portal on the district website or on the Paterson Public Schools mobile app.
Parents are able to access their child’s report cards by doing the following:

• Enter the user name and password on the Infinite Campus log in page.
• Look for “Campus Backpack” on the menu at the left of the page. Click on “Campus Backpack.”
• Select the student’s progress report by clicking its checkbox in the “View” column
• Click the checkbox next to the phrase “Please click OK to acknowledge receipt of this document.” It’s at the very top of the web page.
• Click on “Save” in the dialogue box to download the report.

Schools will continue to provide printed hardcopies of report cards for parents.
Click here to view a how-to video on accessing progress reports.

Keeping our Children Safe on the Internet and Online

Today's children are the first generation to be born and raised with the internet as part of their everyday lives. They often know more about the internet than their parents and guardians. Please review this important presentation from the district's Director of Instructional Technology, Jose Correa, to help you understand what your children are doing online and to learn how to make smart choices to keep them safe when using the internet.

Check Out Our Student & Parent Portal

The Paterson Public Schools Student & Parent Portal is a secure website that provides parents, guardians and students with real-time access to information to better understand and participate in the education of Paterson students. You can access it by clicking on the top button in the left column. Here are instructions on how to setup the Parent Portal and detailed instructions for Parents on how to use it.

Paterson Unites for Literacy

Paterson Public Schools District Graduation Data

Paterson Public Schools 2018 graduates received a total of over 13 million dollars in grants and scholarships and over 900 of our new graduates will be attending college in the fall! Click here for a breakdown of the graduation data.

Information from Superintendent Shafer's Community Forums

Please review these three PowerPoint presentations for information relevant to all Paterson Public School parents, guardians, and students:

 2 Year Transitional Plan to Local Control

 Elementary Summer School and Promotion Guidelines

  Standard Based Report Cards

Paterson Public Schools Learning Table

Improving Reading Skills

Safety & Security of Paterson Public Schools

 PARCC Testing and Information Tips

 Using the New Infinite Campus Parent and Student Portals

 Student Reading Program

District Newsletter

Click here to receive the latest information about all that’s happening in Paterson Public Schools by joining our district newsletter e-mail list.

Get Connected with Paterson Public Schools

Be sure to download the New and Improved Paterson Public Schools App to your phone or other smart device! This is the best way to stay in contact with your school or schools, as well as the district itself. Timely, important school and district information of every kind will be at your fingertips. Visit your provider’s app store today (Play Store for Android, iTunes or App Store for Apple devices) and search: “Paterson Public Schools.” It’s easy, quick and free! After you install the app, go to setup and select your school or schools, along with the school district and you’re done. View our App flyer here.

For up-to-date information about district events join the official Paterson Public Schools Facebook page.

Project Child Find - Help Is Available

If a Paterson Public Schools’ student is having problems in their physical, social, communication, cognitive or sensory development, parents may contact the Department of Special Services at 973-321-0431 to obtain further information regarding help for students with potential disabilities.

Transportation Questions

If you have any questions regarding transportation, please contact 973-321-0830 or 973-321-0686.