If you’re driving down Boulevard in Bergen County, you can't miss it. The red brick, the sprawling field, and that classic North Jersey suburban energy. Elmwood Park Memorial High School—or EPMHS if you’re trying to save time—is one of those places that people have a lot of opinions about, but rarely sit down to look at the actual data. It’s the heart of a borough that has transformed significantly over the last twenty years.
It’s complicated.
Education in New Jersey is a competitive sport. We live in a state where property taxes are high largely because we pride ourselves on public schools. But when you look at Elmwood Park, you aren't looking at a cookie-cutter district like Tenafly or Ridgewood. You’re looking at a diverse, gritty, and incredibly community-focused environment that serves roughly 750 to 800 students in grades 9 through 12.
The Reality of the "Crusader" Identity
The mascot is the Crusader. You see it everywhere. From the gym floor to the letterman jackets, that identity matters here. But what does it actually feel like to walk those halls? Honestly, it’s a bit of a throwback. While many modern schools feel like glass-and-steel office buildings, Elmwood Park Memorial High School maintains a traditional feel.
The school shares a campus with the middle school, which creates a massive 6-12 complex. This is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the transition for an 8th grader moving into high school is basically seamless. They already know where the cafeteria is. They know the security guards. On the other hand, it makes the building feel crowded during peak passing times.
Enrollment numbers have hovered around that 770-student mark for a while. It’s small enough that the teachers actually know your name, but large enough to support a decent array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. If you’re a student here, you aren't just a number. You’re probably the kid whose older brother also had Mr. So-and-So for History five years ago. That legacy matters in a town like Elmwood Park.
Breaking Down the Academics (Without the Fluff)
Let’s talk numbers because that’s what parents care about. According to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) school performance reports, Elmwood Park often lands in the middle of the pack for Bergen County.
Is it a Top 10 school in the state? No. Is it a "bad" school? Not even close.
The graduation rate consistently sits high, often north of 90%. They offer a surprisingly robust list of AP courses for a school of this size. We’re talking AP Biology, Calculus, Psychology, and English Literature. For the high-achiever, the path to a four-year university is clearly paved. But the school also leans heavily into vocational and technical opportunities.
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One thing people get wrong is assuming that "average" test scores mean "average" potential. The student body is incredibly diverse. You have a high percentage of students for whom English is a second language. This naturally affects standardized test aggregates, but it also creates a cultural melting pot that prepares kids for the real world far better than a homogenous private school might.
The faculty at Elmwood Park Memorial High School is known for being "lifers." People come here to teach and they stay. That stability is rare. It means the curriculum doesn't change on a whim every time a new TikTok trend pops up. It’s grounded.
Sports and the Friday Night Lights Culture
Sports are basically a religion in Bergen County.
Elmwood Park competes in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference (NJIC). They aren't playing the national powerhouses like Don Bosco or Bergen Catholic every week, which is actually a good thing for student participation. It means a kid who isn't a 6'5" D1 prospect can actually make the team and get playing time.
The football program has had its ups and downs. Some years they are contenders; some years are "rebuilding" years. But the community support never wavers. If you go to a home game, the stands are packed with alumni. It’s that kind of town.
- Soccer: Historically very strong. The diversity of the town plays a huge role here—kids grow up playing the game in the park and bring that skill to the high school pitch.
- Wrestling: A tough, blue-collar program that consistently produces regional competitors.
- Basketball: The gym gets loud. Like, really loud.
Beyond sports, the music and arts programs are the quiet backbone of the school. The marching band is a point of pride. They’re the ones at every parade, every game, and they practice relentlessly. If you’re not an athlete, the drama club and the band offer a legitimate social pillar.
The Modernization Problem
We have to be real about the facilities.
The building is old. While the district has made significant efforts through referendums and maintenance budgets to keep things updated—adding tech labs, improving security, and keeping the fields playable—it’s an aging infrastructure.
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Climate control is the perennial complaint. Ask any student about the temperature in the wings during a humid September day, and they’ll give you a look that says it all. But, ironically, this is part of the "character" of the school. There’s a certain toughness that comes from learning in a building that has seen decades of Bergen County history.
The school has leaned heavily into 1:1 technology. Every student has access to a device. This was a massive hurdle a decade ago, but now it’s just the baseline. The integration of Google Classroom and digital resources has leveled the playing field for students who might not have high-end tech at home.
Safety and Social Environment
Safety is a huge topic for any New Jersey parent right now. Elmwood Park has invested heavily in Class III officers—retired police officers who work in the schools. It creates a presence that is more about community policing than "security."
Socially? It’s high school. There’s drama. There are cliques. But because the town is relatively small (about 4.5 square miles), everyone’s business is everyone’s business. This lack of anonymity actually keeps a lot of the "bad" behavior in check. Kids know that if they get in trouble at school, their parents will hear about it from a neighbor before they even get home.
There is a real emphasis on mental health lately. The guidance department isn't just there to sign off on college applications anymore. They have specific programs targeting student stress and social-emotional learning. It’s a response to a global trend, but it feels localized here.
Is Elmwood Park Memorial High School Right for Your Kid?
This is the big question.
If you are looking for a high-pressure, "Ivy League or bust" pressure cooker, this probably isn't the primary vibe. You can get to an Ivy from here—students have done it—but the school doesn't force that identity on everyone.
However, if you want a school where your child will interact with people from every imaginable background, where they can play three sports and still be in the choir, and where the teachers actually care if they show up on Monday morning, then it’s a great fit.
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Elmwood Park is a "working" town. The high school reflects that. It’s about grit, it’s about community, and it’s about getting the job done.
Actionable Steps for Parents and Students
If you’re moving to the area or your child is heading into 9th grade, don't just rely on Zillow ratings or "GreatSchools" scores. Those sites use algorithms that often penalize diverse districts. Instead, take these steps:
Attend a Board of Education Meeting. They are usually held at the high school or the municipal building. This is where you see the real budget priorities and the challenges the district is facing. You’ll hear about the building repairs, the new curriculum hires, and the actual concerns of other parents.
Schedule a Walkthrough. Don’t just wait for the "Open House." Call the main office. See the school when it’s actually in session. Look at the walls. Are they covered in student work? Is the energy in the hallway chaotic or controlled?
Check the "Program of Studies." This document is usually buried on the district website. It lists every single class offered. Look at the electives. If your kid is into coding, see if they have Python or Java. If they are into trades, see what the partnership is with Bergen County Technical Schools.
Talk to the Coaches and Club Advisors. Most of these people are teachers in the building. Their level of enthusiasm will tell you more about the school culture than any brochure ever could.
The reality of Elmwood Park Memorial High School is that it is a school in transition, much like the town itself. It’s moving toward a more tech-heavy, college-prep future while trying to hold onto the small-town, blue-collar values that built it. It’s not perfect, but it’s honest. And in today’s educational climate, honesty is a pretty valuable commodity.
Check the district calendar for the next drama production or home game. Show up. See for yourself. That’s the only way to truly understand what it means to be a Crusader.