Ability School is a private, independent school in Englewood that has been educating children in pre-K through eighth grade for more than 40 years. With small classes and a proficiency-based curriculum, students work on individual programs tailored to their abilities and interests. “All students work at their own pace, so if they’re strong in a particular area they will move on to new challenges, whereas if they need a little more help mastering something they will get the support they need,” says Headmistress Joan Marrazzo.
The curriculum is carefully curated and designed to grow with each student throughout the program in all subjects and interests, focusing on competency, study skills and literacy. With a highly effective early reading curriculum, students often begin reading at Ability School at age four. “Reading is the foundation of all learning, as essential to life as breathing, so our reading program is a cornerstone of our curriculum. We do not just teach children to read—we foster a love for reading,” Marrazzo explains.
Through engaging phonics instruction, personalized lessons, and hand-picked books, students build confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning habits. “Our goal is for students to master their material—not memorize it—so that they can articulate what they’ve learned and apply that understanding to real-life situations,” she says. “Our approach creates selfdetermined and independent students with a love of learning.”
The school also emphasizes community service and a close parent-school partnership to support the whole child. “We have a strong sense of community here, and that extends beyond the walls of our school,” Marrazzo says.
75 Knickerbocker Rd., Englewood
201-871-8808
abilityschoolnj.org
