On this page you will find some interesting information about the history of Thomas A. Edison Middle School. As you read these historical facts, you may find an area that you can most relate to. Enjoy the information as we will be bringing you more as the school year proceeds.
Thomas A. Edison Middle School
Timeline
1927 – 1937: Edison Junior High School Opens
At an original cost of $514,000, Edison opens its doors as a junior high school in 1927. By 1937, Edison consists of 16 classrooms with 23 faculty members and a student enrollment of 481. The principal in 1937 was Vincent Geiger.
[Taken from Historical Sketch of the Growth and Development of the Town of West Orange, New Jersey 1862 – 1937 by Samuel Crane Williams (1937).]
April 29, 2004: Voting on the configuration.
The Board voted unanimously to create a "Central Six" school at Edison and two 7th-8th grade buildings at Roosevelt and the new middle school (named Liberty Middle School.)
April 30, 2004-September 2005 (school opening): Planning for the new configuration.
The Board of Education will focus on the redistribution of students (redistricting), while the school district administration will plan for many other facets including: transportation, staffing (principals, teachers, guidance counselors and other support staff), and student transitions. A new principal, guidance counselors, other support staff and a number of additional teachers must be hired prior to September 2005. New staff and existing staff will be distributed among the three schools.
June 2005: Principal Errol Scales retires after many years of service to the West Orange Public Schools
2005 – 2006: First Year as a Central Six Middle School
Edison Middle School is reconfigured as a Central Six middle school under a new principal, Xavier Fitzgerald. All sixth graders in the West Orange Public Schools begin attending Edison for their sixth grade year. Working in the Central Six model, Edison students make the adjustment from elementary school to middle school in a learning environment that is specifically tailored to assisting students in who are making that difficult adjustment. After spending one year at Edison, students move on to Roosevelt Middle School or Liberty Middle School for their seventh and eighth grade years.
June 2006: Robert Krimmel, vice-principal of Edison Middle School for many years, retires after helping Mr. Fitzgerald and the staff make the transition to the Central Six model.
2006 – 2007: A New Vice Principal is Appointed
Adam Geher is appointed vice-principal of Edison Middle School.
2007 – 2008: A New Schedule
Edison Middle School changes its schedule from an eight-period day to a nine-period day. This allows the world languages classes, formerly a pentamester course, to become available as a full-year course that meets every other day, increasing instruction from 37 days to 91 days.