The Elizabeth Public Schools is tied for the third largest district in New Jersey, serving a population of over 27,000 students. It has also been classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as one of the state's Abbott or most needy school districts in terms of a series of population/income demographics. Located at the crossroads of the metropolitan area, the district's population is diverse and this multiculturalism is reflected in its schools. Our vision is that the Elizabeth Public Schools will be one of the highest performing urban school districts in the nation. Our promise is to provide an innovative and personalized learning environment that ensures that every child achieves excellence. Our strategy map has guided the implementation of bold and courageous programs and activities designed to provide students the best educational experiences, so that every student meets their full potential. We are passionate in our belief that every child can achieve excellence. To do so, we are continually identifying resources to maximize the learning opportunities for adults and students, and effectively utilize every resource to create and support learning so that every student graduates on-time from Elizabeth Public Schools prepared to pursue a post-secondary education for career readiness. While EPS faces the challenges often associated with urban school districts, its student growth has outpaced other districts, both suburban and urban. Elizabeth High School was nationally recognized by The Washington Post as the second most challenging high school in New Jersey and ranked in the top ten percent of nationally ranked schools. We are the home of four National Blue Ribbon Schools, a NASA Explorer School, and have been selected for strategic partnerships with the Broad Foundation Reform Governance Association and Panasonic Foundation.