Plainsboro Township
Plainsboro Township, NJ · Municipal
The Bergen Record
NJ's best elementary school has lessons for all of us | Opinion
This year, School No. 28 in Paterson earned impressive recognition in U.S. News & World Report ’s 2026–2027 rankings, named the No. 1 public elementary school and No. 2 public middle school in New Jersey. This outstanding achievement reflects the talent, dedication, and hard work of Principal Nancy Castro, the school’s teachers, administrators, educational support professionals, students and families. It is a milestone worth celebrating across the Paterson community and our state. But beyond the rankings and well-deserved applause, there is a larger story worth telling about the children of Paterson. For far too long, conversations about urban education have centered on what our communities lack rather than the extraordinary potential that exists within them. Those challenges cannot and should not be ignored, but neither should they define the limits of what we believe our children can accomplish. Academic excellence does not belong exclusively to affluent communities, prestigious institutions, or particular ZIP codes. Talent exists everywhere. What differs too often is access to opportunity, encouragement, resources and support. School No. 28 has reminded us that Paterson's children are brilliant, capable, and deserving of every opportunity to succeed. Op-ed continues after gallery. This achievement should inspire more than a moment of