Dwight Morrow High School

Nestled in Englewood, New Jersey, stands Dwight Morrow High School. It has witnessed a fascinating mix of history, challenges, and triumphs since its opening in January 1933. Dwight Morrow High School first opened its doors to students during the Great Depression. Its construction, a $750,000 project, aimed to alleviate overcrowding in existing schools. The 37-acre, park-like campus was designed by architect Lawrence C. Licht, complete with a striking 100-foot tower built in the Collegiate Gothic style. Dwight Morrow High School was named after a prominent Englewood resident who was a businessman, politician, and diplomat. Interestingly, he was also the father-in-law of the famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. Over the decades, Dwight Morrow High School has educated generations of students, including some who went on to achieve considerable fame. Alumni include actors John Travolta and Sarah Jessica Parker, comedian Richard Lewis, and several musicians from the Isley Brothers. This diverse alumni list speaks to the wide range of talents nurtured within the school’s walls. Dwight Morrow High School also shares its campus with two other schools. The Academies at Englewood, a magnet program established in 2002, and Janis E. Dismus Middle School both call this campus home. However, each school maintains its own separate administration. Dwight Morrow High School’s history hasn’t been without its difficulties. The school faced demographic shifts in the 1980s, leading to racial imbalances and declining academic performance. These challenges spurred a lengthy court battle with neighboring Englewood Cliffs, which sought to send its students to a different high school. Later, the establishment of the Academies at Englewood, while intended to improve diversity, led to further tensions and protests by Dwight Morrow students who perceived unequal resource allocation. Despite these struggles, Dwight Morrow High School continues to serve its community. The school’s newspaper, the Maroon Tribune, and yearbook, the EngleLog, document the ongoing story of this historic institution. And if you’re a fan of the show “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch”, you might recognize the school’s North building. It was used for exterior shots. Dwight Morrow High School remains a vital part of Englewood’s landscape. Its story is a testament to the enduring power of education.