Dear Leonia High School Community,
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable summer and is ready for an exciting 2026-2027 school year. We are thrilled to welcome our returning students and families back to LHS, and we extend a special welcome to all of our new students and families joining the Leonia High School community this year. In particular, we are excited to welcome the Class of 2030 as they begin their high school journey. We look forward to watching them learn, grow, and become an important part of our school community over the next four years.
Over the past few years, we have worked together to continue building a positive school culture and climate at LHS, one that emphasizes school spirit, connection, belonging, and pride in being a Leonia Lion. We are looking forward to building on that momentum this year through a variety of school and community activities. We will get things started right away with our Welcome Back Pep Rally on the first day of school, followed by Leonia Day on September 8, beginning after school. These events are just the start of what we hope will be another year filled with opportunities for our students to connect with one another, get involved, and enjoy everything that comes with being part of the LHS community.
To our students, I encourage you to begin the year with enthusiasm and make the most of the opportunities in front of you. Challenge yourself academically, get involved in a club, activity, sport, or school event, meet someone new, and take pride in your school. High school goes by quickly, and the students who get the most out of their experience are often those who choose to participate and become active members of their school community. Make this a year in which you set goals, try something new, support one another, and bring your best effort each day.
This year also brings some important changes to the student experience at LHS. Most notably, we will begin the year with our new Bell-to-Bell Internet-Enabled Device Policy. Personal internet-enabled devices must remain off and away throughout the school day. This change is intended to create a more distraction-free school environment focused on academic engagement and meaningful social interaction. We want our classrooms to be places where students are fully engaged in learning and our hallways, cafeteria, and common areas to be places where students are talking, interacting, and building relationships with one another face-to-face.
At the same time, we are excited about a major upgrade to student technology as LHS transitions from Chromebooks to district-issued iPads for all students. The iPads will provide students and teachers with new opportunities to engage with classroom content, collaborate, create, and learn in different ways. As our students and staff become more familiar with these devices, we look forward to exploring how this new technology can enhance teaching and learning throughout the building.
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To our parents and guardians, thank you for your continued partnership and support. Your involvement plays an important role in your child's success, and we encourage you to stay connected throughout the year. Regularly checking Genesis, talking with your child about what is happening at school, communicating with teachers and counselors when needed, attending school events, and participating in the LHS Home & School Association are all great ways to remain involved. We also hope you will join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to meet your child's teachers, learn more about their classes, and become familiar with the expectations and opportunities for the year ahead. A strong partnership between home and school helps us provide the best possible experience for our students.
The start of a school year always brings new opportunities, new classes, new friendships, and new chances to grow. I can't wait to see the enthusiasm our students bring with them when they walk back through the doors. Together, we are ready to make the 2026-2027 school year one filled with learning, achievement, connection, and pride in all that it means to be a Leonia Lion.
Enjoy the last days of summer, and we look forward to seeing you on September 3rd!
GO LIONS!
Chuck Kalender, Principal
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We are excited to welcome our students back to LHS! Thursday, September 3rd is the first day of school and will be a half day, along with Friday, September 4th.
The district will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
Our first full day of school will be Tuesday, September 8th, and it will be an A-Day.
Please also note that Friday, September 11th will be a half day for LHS following our Back to School Night on Thursday evening.
We look forward to a great start to the 2026-2027 school year!
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This fall, Leonia High School is excited to introduce a significant upgrade to our student technology program. Every student will be issued a new district-owned iPad, complete with a keyboard case and charger, for use throughout the school year. This transition from Chromebooks to iPads will provide students with a more versatile learning device that supports creativity, collaboration, and productivity across all subject areas.
Please note that Apple Pencils will not be provided as part of the district-issued equipment. However, students who wish to use an Apple Pencil with their iPad are welcome to purchase their own compatible device.
Any student that is not able to pick up their iPad during their assigned time slot prior to school starting can pick it up on September 3rd at 12:00PM in the cafeteria.
Grade 9 - Monday, August 31st - 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Grades 10/11 - Wednesday, September 2nd - 11:00AM - 12:00PM
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Parents, please log into the Genesis Parent Portal to complete and sign all beginning of year forms if you have not already done so. Until the forms are submitted, both the Parent and Student Portals will remain locked. Once all forms are completed, access to both portals will automatically unlock, and you will be able to view your child’s schedule. Please note that elective courses cannot be changed at this time.
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All students are required to scan into the building each morning using either their physical barcoded student ID or their virtual student ID available in the MINGA app. Students will be able to access their virtual student ID on their district-issued iPad through the MINGA app, making it easy to scan in even if they do not have their physical ID with them.
A new procedure for this school year is that students will also be required to scan out whenever they leave the building during the school day, including for lunch or during a scheduled free period. Upon returning to campus, students must scan back into the building.
These procedures help us maintain an accurate record of who is in the building at all times and enhance the safety and security of our school community. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in making this process a regular part of the school day.
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Consistent attendance and punctuality are two of the most important factors in a student’s success at LHS. At Leonia High School, absences and tardies are tracked closely, and students risk losing credit for courses if they exceed the allowed number of absences. Being on time to school and to every class is just as important, as it minimizes disruptions and helps students stay fully engaged in their learning. Regular attendance builds strong academic habits, keeps students connected to their teachers and peers, and ensures they don’t fall behind. We encourage families to schedule all appointments after school hours whenever possible to limit time away from class. Please take a few minutes to review the full attendance policy and guidelines in the Student Handbook so that expectations are clear for both students and parents.
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Want to be a leader, plan events, and have a real say in what happens at LHS? Run for Freshman Class Council! Positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Class Representatives. You’ll get to help organize fundraisers, plan activities, and make your class heard. Keep an eye out for details when school starts, or contact Ms. Agnello, your Freshman Class Advisor, to learn more.
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A reminder for families: All students are required to use their district-issued iPads while in school. Students should bring their iPad to school every day, fully charged and ready for use. Personal tablets, iPads, laptops, or MacBooks may not be used during the school day.
If a student forgets their district-issued iPad at home, a loaner device will not be issued. Loaner iPads are reserved only for students whose district-issued iPad is being repaired by the school.
Additionally, to help maintain a focused learning environment:
- Cell phones, AirPods, earbuds, and headphones are not permitted at any time.
- Meta glasses and other smart glasses are not permitted at any time.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that students come to school prepared, engaged, and ready to learn each day.
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- September 1 - PD Day -Staff Only
- September 2 - PD Day - Staff Only
- September 3 - Single Session for students
- September 4 - Single Session for Students
- September 7 - School Closed - Labor Day
- September 10 - LHS Back to School Night
- September 11 - Single Session Day
- September 14 - LHS HSA Meeting
- September 17 - Underclassmen Photo Day
- September 18 - Underclassmen Photo Day
- September 21 - School Closed - Yom Kippur
- September 29 - Financial Aid/FAFSA Night
- October 7 - Senior Phots
- October 8 - Senior Photos
- October 12 - Delayed Opening for Students/Staff PD
- October 16 - LHS HSA Pocketbook Bingo
- October 19 - LHS HSA Meeting
- October 22 - "Pretty in Pink" Day for Breast Cancer Awareness
- October 28 - LHS PSAT Day
- October 29 - LHS Open House for grades 7 & 8
- October 30 - Single Session Day
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**All forms should be dropped off at Leonia High School
Registration is open for all fall athletic programs offered at Leonia High School
Football (start date 8/10), Girls Tennis (start date 8/10), Boys Soccer (start date 8/17), Girls Soccer (start date 8/17), Girls Volleyball (start date 8/17), Boys Cross Country (start date 8/17), Girls Cross Country (start date 8/17)
2026-2027 Sports Physical Updated Forms - Required if Participating in Athletics
If your LHS student plans to participate in any athletic programs for the 2026-2027 school year, the forms below must be completed before participating in any practice or game.
Please feel free to contact Mr. Perrotta, the Athletic Director, at extension 5208 or by email at steven.perrotta@leoniaschools.org with any questions. Thank you.
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LHS HSA Annual Pocketbook Bingo
October 16, 2026
Doors Open 6:00 PM
LHS Cafeteria
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Click to access the 26-27 Modified Rotating Block (MRB) Schedule.
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If you haven’t already, take a minute to download the ParentSquare App to your phone. The app makes it easy to stay informed and engaged with what’s happening at Leonia High School. You’ll receive real-time notifications and have all school updates, newsletters, and event information right at your fingertips.
Search for ParentSquare in your app store and stay connected wherever you are!
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To learn more about our schools, follow us on:
100 Christie Heights Street
Leonia, NJ 07605
Phone: (201) 302-5200
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