Kinnelon Public Schools serves a total of 1,647 students across four schools, offering a close-knit, community-centered educational experience that supports strong relationships, personalized learning, and a supportive environment for all learners.

Kinnelon Public Schools is comprised of four schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12:

• Kiel School (PreK–2), with our preschool program housed in the dedicated Sisco Building

• Stonybrook School (Grades 3–5)

• Pearl R. Miller Middle School (Grades 6–8)

• Kinnelon High School (Grades 9–12)

This grade-band structure allows for more focused programming and developmentally appropriate instruction at each level. New this year, Stonybrook School is fully departmentalized in Grades 3–5 for ELA and Math, enhancing instructional expertise and strengthening academic outcomes.

The district is also exploring the future possibility of moving 8th grade into Kinnelon High School to maximize student access to electives, advanced coursework, and career pathway programs, while offering greater flexibility in scheduling and earlier exposure to high school-level opportunities.

For the 2024–25 school year, Kinnelon Public Schools is operating under a total budget of $46.6 million, carefully structured to support high-quality instruction, student services, and daily operations. The approved 2025–26 budget totals $48,429,012, reflecting a modest and necessary increase to meet rising costs while preserving core programs.

A major driver of the district’s expenses is its experienced teaching staff—over 70% of teachers are at the top of the salary guide, and more than 75% hold a Master's degree or higher. This reflects exceptional staff retention and instructional quality, but it also places upward pressure on salaries and benefits.

In addition, the district continues to face challenges related to transportation costs, with limited vendor availability and per-route costs exceeding $225,000, as well as the need for critical facilities upgrades to maintain safe, efficient, and modern learning environments. Through careful planning and a commitment to long-term sustainability, Kinnelon remains focused on supporting student success while being fiscally responsible.

Below are links to the current budget presentations and user friendly budgets.  

25-26 Budget Information

Budget Archive

Kinnelon is proud to have a deeply experienced teaching staff, with an average of 16.1 years of classroom experience, exceeding the state average.  70% of our teachers are here 14+ years reflecting long-term dedication and expertise. While the district continues to hire talented new educators, the overwhelming majority of our staff are veteran professionals who bring depth, stability, and proven instructional skill to their classrooms every day

Kinnelon students consistently perform well above state averages on standardized assessments, reflecting strong instruction and academic support.

English Language Arts

Scores have remained strong, with 76.3% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in 2023–24, up slightly from 75% the prior year.

Mathematics

Proficiency increased notably—from 62.6% in 2022–23 to 67.4% in 2023–24, reflecting the district’s targeted instructional improvements.

Science

Proficiency has steadily climbed, now at 59.1%, more than double the state average, with gains especially visible at the middle and high school levels.

The District offers a comprehensive selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses across multiple disciplines, providing students with opportunities to engage in rigorous, college-level coursework.  67.3% of eligible students participated in AP courses, reflecting strong interest and engagement in advanced academics.

Courses include:

• AP English Language & Composition
• AP English Literature & Composition
• AP United States History
• AP European History
• AP US Government & Politics
• AP World History: Modern
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Statistics
• AP Computer Science Principles*
• AP Computer Science A*
• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics C: Mechanics
• AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
• AP Spanish Language & Culture
• AP French Language & Culture
• AP Latin
• AP 2D Art and Design
• AP 3D Art and Design
• AP Drawing
• AP Music Theory

*offered in alternating years

Kinnelon continues to demonstrate academic excellence with a 97.1% four-year graduation rate in 2023–24, significantly exceeding the state average and reflecting strong student support and college and career readiness.

From 2021-2025, students from Kinnelon Public Schools have earned acceptances to some of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious institutions, including: 

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

• Georgetown University

• Carnegie Mellon University

• New York University (NYU)

• Boston College

• Boston University

• University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

• Northeastern University

• Villanova University

• Lehigh University

• William & Mary

• University of Notre Dame

• Swarthmore College

• Tufts University

• Haverford College

• Brandeis University

• Lafayette College

• Fordham University

• University of North

• Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Kinnelon students were accepted to the following Ivy League universities, reflecting exceptional academic achievement and college preparedness:

• Columbia University

• University of Pennsylvania

• Princeton University

• Brown University

Kinnelon maintains a strong 1:1 device program for students in Grades 2–12, supporting digital learning and access to educational tools. This year, Pearl R. Miller Middle School received a full device upgrade, and Grade 2 classrooms now have 1:1 Chromebooks on carts, allowing students to begin working within the Google Workspace environment. The district follows a grade-level upgrade cycle to ensure technology remains current and effective. While we embrace digital tools, we continue to prioritize a thoughtful balance with paper-and-pencil learning, recognizing that Chromebooks are a resource—not a replacement—for foundational skills.

This year, Kinnelon students earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy in five world languages, showcasing their language proficiency and cultural fluency.

• French: 5 students (Functional Fluency), 1 student (Working Fluency)

• Spanish: 7 students (Functional Fluency)

• Hindi: 1 student (Working Fluency)

• Russian: 1 student (Working Fluency)

• Latin: 3 students (Functional Fluency)

These recognitions reflect the district’s strong world language programs and commitment to preparing students for a global society. 

Students from both Pearl R. Miller Middle School and Kinnelon High School have achieved high honors in music, earning selection to prestigious ensembles at the regional and state levels. Their accomplishments include participation in the

• NJ Region I Junior High Band
• NJ All-State Choir
• NJ Region I Choir
• Morris Area Choir
• NJ All-State Band and Orchestra
• North Jersey Region I Band and Orchestra
• North Jersey Area Band.

These recognitions reflect the exceptional talent and dedication of our student musicians, as well as the strength of our district's music education program.

Kinnelon has also been named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the NAMM Foundation, recognizing the district’s commitment to high-quality music instruction and access for all students.

Kinnelon students actively engage in a wide range of STEM opportunities that foster innovation, problem-solving, and real-world application. From competitive research events to national science fairs, students are consistently recognized for their excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These programs reflect the district’s commitment to preparing students for future success in STEM fields through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

Fairs, Awards & Recognitions Include:

• NJ Junior Science & Humanities Symposium

• Terra North Jersey Science Fair

• Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair

• Genius Olympiad

• Stockholm Junior Water Prize

• Water Environment Foundation Award

• Rutgers Award of Excellence

This year, Kinnelon introduced a range of new curriculum programs and courses across grade levels to strengthen instruction, expand opportunities, and support real-world learning.

• HMH Into Reading (Grades K–5): A comprehensive, research-based literacy program that builds strong foundational reading and writing skills through rich texts and differentiated instruction.

• IXL Takeoff Math (Grades K–5): A personalized math platform that supports fluency, remediation, and enrichment by adapting to each student’s skill level.

• Reveal Math (Grades 6–8): A rigorous, inquiry-based program that balances conceptual understanding with procedural practice to deepen middle school math learning.

• Student Chromebook Repair Program (PRM/KHS): A hands-on initiative where students take an active role in diagnosing and repairing devices, building technical and problem-solving skills.

• Multivariable Calculus (KHS): The district’s most advanced math course, expanding the upper-level math pathway for high-achieving students.

• Ceramics 3 Honors (KHS): A new advanced art course that also offers dual enrollment credit, allowing students to earn college credit for their creative work.

• You and the Law (KHS): A practical, civics-based elective that explores real-world legal topics and personal rights.

• CP-A Level Courses (KHS): Newly introduced this year, CP-A (College Prep–Advanced) courses serve as a bridge between CP and Honors. These classes offer increased rigor and depth while maintaining a supportive pace, ideal for students preparing to transition to Honors-level coursework.

• AP Science Dual Enrollment: All AP science courses now offer dual enrollment options, giving students the opportunity to earn both high school and college credits.

• Kinnelon Summer Math Academy Addition: Launched in summer 2024, the Math Academy offers accelerated courses for students seeking to advance in mathematics. In addition to Geometry, the program now includes Precalculus Honors, allowing students to move ahead in their math pathway and access upper-level courses sooner.