High expectations define Hackensack High School. It is a four-year public high school in Hackensack New Jersey. Hackensack High School is part of the Hackensack Public Schools. The school serves students from Bergen County. This includes Hackensack, South Hackensack and Rochelle Park.
As of 2023 to 2024, Hackensack High School had 1726 students. There were 138.3 classroom teachers. The student-teacher ratio was 12.5 to 1. About 32.2% of students were eligible for free lunch. Around 9.4% qualified for reduced-cost lunch.
Hackensack High School’s history stretches back to the 1880s. The first formal high school program started in 1894. The first building for Hackensack High School was built in 1897. It stood at First and High streets. The cornerstone for the current building was laid in 1916. It is located at First and Beech Streets. The new building opened in March 1918. By 1920, 22 Bergen County towns sent students to Hackensack High School. New wings were added in the 1950s. In 1966, Hackensack High School expanded. It took over the neighboring Beech Street School. A two-story bridge was built over First Street. In 1967, Beech Street School became the east wing.
Hackensack High School Comets compete in the Big North Conference. This conference includes public and private high schools. They are from Bergen and Passaic counties.
The school’s athletic teams have been called the Comets since 1912. Before that, they were known as the Colts. Vince Lombardi was offered $6000 to coach football at Hackensack High School. However, he couldn’t break his contract with St Cecilia High School. Tom DellaTorre then coached the football team and won 10 league championships. The football field was later named Tom DellaTorre Athletic Field.
The boys’ basketball team has a storied past. In 1925, the Hackensack Comets ended Passaic High School’s 159-game winning streak. The team won the Group III state title in 1945 and 1952.
The boys’ soccer team also boasts multiple championships. They won the Group III state championship in 1949, 1950 and 1954. They also secured the Group IV title in 1960, 1968, 1969 and 1970. The boys’ bowling team has won three overall state championships.
The school tied for the Group IV spring track and field championship in 1971 and 2010. The girls’ volleyball team won the Group IV state championship in 1984 and 2000. The football team dominated the North I Group IV state sectional championships. They won from 1992 to 1996, and again in 1999 and 2000.
The annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Teaneck High School is a major event. It has been held since 1931. Hackensack has won 62 of the 85 games played.
Hackensack High School has a diverse student body. In 2017, the graduating class was 46% Hispanic, 27% Black, 20% White and 7% Asian.
The school’s alma mater was written in 1918. It uses the tune of New York University’s alma mater.
Hackensack High School’s mission is to foster cultural diversity, intellectual growth and individual diligence. It prepares students to be open-minded, reflective and lifelong learners. The school develops citizens who make a difference.