Shuttle

From the Principal's desk...

I am excited to welcome you to Highlander Academy!

 Although I have served the West Milford School District for many years as a Child Study Team Case Manager, I am honored to begin this new chapter in my role as Assistant Principal at Highlander Academy. Our school is supported by a highly skilled team of teachers and support staff who bring extensive knowledge and experience in working with students who are developing strategies to better manage challenging emotions and behaviors. Together, we are committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and structured learning environment where every student can grow and succeed.

At Highlander Academy, we are intentionally striving to take a “wellness approach” to education. This means supporting the whole child by promoting healthy thinking patterns, emotional awareness, positive behaviors, and physical well-being. Through consistent expectations, therapeutic supports, and meaningful relationships, we aim to help students build resilience, self-regulation skills, and confidence—empowering them to make positive choices both in school and beyond! 

~Dr. Patti Cappello~

Highlander Academy

We are a supportive and inclusive educational community, home to students in grades 9-12 in need of a small and personalized educational program.  Highlander Academy students are part of the student body of West Milford High School.  This program is supported by highly qualified high school teachers, child study team members, school social workers, therapists, nurses and district administrators.  Our school culture is built on respect and trust as we recognize and embrace individual differences and strengths of our students.

The staff at Highlander Academy, in partnership with the local community, provide a learning environment filled with rich experiences that build upon academic, social, emotional, and physical development of the whole student to support each individual with their post-secondary goals.  High quality clinical services are made available to our students as well as opportunities to participate in courses at the West Milford High School campus.  We have high expectations for our students and encourage them to always seek new opportunities to continue to develop their strength to meet their goals.  

Academics

At Highlander Academy, academics are taught by Special Education Teachers who are highly qualified in their subject areas.  Academic programs are developed through district Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and comply with NJ Common Core Standards and graduation requirements.  Small class sizes with paraprofessionals allow for optimal academic, social, and emotional growth.  Course instruction and materials are modified based on individual learning styles, and are enhanced through the use of current technology such as Chromebooks, tablets, and Smart Boards.  Students are given the opportunity for credit recovery as part of their course schedule as needed.

Courses Offered

  • Language & Literacy

  • Mathematics

  • Sciences

  • Social Studies

  • Physical Education, Health, Driver’s Education

  • Spanish

  • Electives: Personal Finance, Holocaust studies, Art, Photography

  • Online Courses