North Bergen officials celebrated the grand opening of the Nicholas J. Sacco Junior High School on September 2, which completed a project that began with a 2017 referendum. The school occupies the site at 2000 85th Street, formerly the home of the Hudson County Schools of Technology’s High Tech High School.
The project officially broke ground in March 2022 but faced multiple setbacks, including higher construction costs linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lawsuit that slowed progress. After years of challenges, the building now stands ready for students, becoming the first new school opened in North Bergen in half a century.
The facility will not stop with its current completion. Plans for an auditorium and a ninth-grade wing are scheduled for the next phase, expected to finish next year. A third phase will bring additional classes designed for trade-related programs.
- Officials cut the ribbon on the Nicholas J. Sacco Junior High School on September 2, nearly seven years after a voter-approved referendum launched the project.
- The building at 2000 85th Street will house seventh and eighth graders this year and welcome ninth graders next year.
- The facility includes renovated classrooms, athletics fields, and new safety measures, with more construction phases still ahead.
Honoring Mayor Nicholas Sacco
At the ceremony, the North Bergen Board of Education announced that the new junior high school would bear the name of Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco. The decision recognized Sacco’s 30 years of service as mayor and his lifelong dedication to education, including his career as an administrator and assistant superintendent.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Solter discussed the extensive work involved in preparing the building for its first students. He called the opening a milestone for the district, representing years of effort to provide modern resources and facilities for local children.
Frank Gargiulo, former superintendent of the Hudson County Schools of Technology, also addressed the crowd. He reflected on his 30 years working in the building when it housed High Tech High School, noting the improvements that transformed the once inadequate space into a modern school.
In a written statement following the ceremony, Sacco described the renaming as a humbling experience, thanking Solter and the Board of Education for the recognition. He has a commitment to seeing students thrive in the new environment as the school year begins.
A Facility Designed for Students
Principal Adamarys Galvin described the school opening as the start of a new chapter for the community, with opportunities for learning, friendship, and growth.
The Nicholas J. Sacco Junior High School will serve seventh and eighth-grade students this year. High school freshmen will be added to the student body next year as part of the expansion plan.
Renovations to the property included building new athletic fields, constructing an elevated walkway for safer campus access, and adding a range of amenities to enhance the student experience. The upgrades will also reduce class sizes districtwide by creating additional space in existing schools.
Safety remains a central priority, with Police Chief Robert Farley pledging to assign officers to the site to ensure student protection.
Continuing Debate on Pre-K Facilities
While the junior high school project reached its conclusion, another discussion continues in North Bergen regarding permanent facilities for pre-kindergarten. For decades, the program has been held in trailers at James J. Braddock Park.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection hosted two hearings this summer on the matter, the most recent in August. The hearings included passionate testimony from both supporters and opponents of keeping pre-K at the park.
In response to growing opposition across North Hudson, the Board of Education proposed an alternative plan. However, the final outcome depends on the state Department of Education. BOE spokesman Phil Swibinski confirmed that the process is ongoing and will be reviewed by state officials.
