Welcome to the office of Curriculum & Instruction!

In River Vale, we are committed to using a comprehensive approach to assess student learning, growth, and achievement. We value all forms of assessments—whether they are formative, summative, formal, or informal—as essential tools to gauge our students' understanding of topics, mastery of skills, and alignment with academic standards. Assessments help us identify strengths and areas for growth, allowing us to tailor our instructional strategies to meet the unique needs of every learner. While state assessments, such as the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA), provide important data on student performance relative to state standards, we recognize that they represent only one part of a student's overall profile. These assessments are just one sliver of the broader picture we consider when evaluating student achievement.

 Equally important are the internal benchmarks and classroom-based assessments that we use throughout the school year. These assessments serve as critical tools to measure progress over time and inform how we adjust instruction to best support each student's learning journey. By regularly analyzing this data, we ensure that instruction is both responsive and targeted, driving continuous improvement in student outcomes. We also believe in honoring the diversity of student strengths and ways of demonstrating mastery. In addition to formal assessments, we embrace alternative methods that allow students to show what they know in multiple ways—whether through project-based learning, presentations, portfolios, or other creative expressions. By fostering varied opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding, we cultivate a more complete and meaningful picture of their abilities and readiness for future success.

(click the image above to access the K-8 Curriculum)

Additional Curriculum Resources...