Standards for effective learning encompass the knowledge, problem solving abilities, and attitudes that students need for a lifetime of productive citizenship. The John Adams School Family is dedicated to providing each student with the opportunities, tools, and skills to achieve success and individual growth now and in the future. The school’s educational community believes that the quest for education excellence is a shared responsibility based on collaboration and mutual respect. Efforts and energies are linked to provide an extremely diverse population with a quality education that stresses academic excellence. In addition, the intent is to instill students with an understanding of their own responsibilities and to present many opportunities which enable them to reach a level of empowerment to believe in their own abilities and seek support and validation from their parents, teachers, and peers.

With encouragement and assistance from students, staff, and parents, the following goals have been established to support this mission. Students will show evidence of social responsibility and a positive sense of self-worth which is nurtured by a school climate that exudes encouragement, support, and validation. The learning styles of John Adams students will be addressed within a professional culture which allows the staff to take risks and use the latest teaching strategies. The goal to implement an engaging instructional program which creates problems solvers and critical thinkers and is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards will permeate all endeavors. The celebration and appreciation of cultural diversity and equity will be an integral part of instruction, assessment, and activities in the educational community. Finally, on-going assessment of instruction, achievement, and attitudes will occur in order to evaluate and improve the entire John Adams experience. To this end, the habits and structures within John Adams School are student-centered and achievement driven.