In a recent poll conducted by Niche.com, an evaluation system founded by a Carnegie Mellon student, Henry P. Becton Regional High School has placed within the top 12 percent of most diverse schools in New Jersey and within the top 5 percent of most diverse high schools in the United States. Founded in 2002, Niche has been gaining popularity in conducting quality and realistic rankings. The established start-up company takes not only data into account, but also opinions from everyday experts such as residents, students and parents.

“Becton is a microcosm of the diverse world that students will be exposed to when they move on to college and their careers. We embrace our ethnic and cultural diversity because it is what makes our school unique, and we are proud of it,” stated Becton Principal Dr. Sforza.

As one may already know, understanding ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds is important and beneficial to one’s future, so students enrolled in a culturally diverse school such as Becton Regional High School are more aware and respectful of each other’s cultures, beliefs and traditions. Additionally, students with a diverse experience at an educational institution will be better prepared in regards to working with people from all backgrounds in the future. For instance, being in a diverse school setting allows for more creative thinking, and being able to communicate in a diverse school environment will build the essential skills students will need in relating well to other backgrounds.

“The ability to relate to people of different backgrounds not only helps students in dealing with new challenges, but also helps build critical skills such as communicating, collaborating, strategizing and developing the creativity necessary to succeed in today’s workforce economy,” Dr. Sforza noted.

The Becton principal hopes to create additional activities that allow students to engage with different cultures and backgrounds as well as embrace the diversity that is here at Becton. For example, he plans on working with school clubs on activities centered on celebrating different cultures along with expanding on International Week, which is held by the English as a Second Language Instructor and Supervisor Mrs. Gonzo. Moreover, he is hoping to incorporate some cultural lessons into Becton’s already diversified curriculum.

Overall, the Becton community embraces its diversity and continuously promotes it. Becton staff and students benefit from experiencing this type of environment, and it is just one of the many attributes that make Becton a unique gem of Bergen County.