Families searching online for Westbrook Highlander Academy may encounter several names and older references that can make the school’s current role confusing. Westbrook Elementary School was once one of West Milford’s elementary schools, while Highlander Academy existed separately as a smaller educational program. That changed when the West Milford Township Board of Education approved a plan to stop using Westbrook for elementary education and repurpose the building for Highlander Academy beginning with the 2023–24 school year.
Today, the West Milford Township Public Schools website identifies the program simply as Highlander Academy. It serves students in grades 9–12 who need a small, personalized educational setting, while those students remain part of the West Milford High School student body.
For local families, understanding this transition is useful not only when researching West Milford schools, but also when exploring educational resources, youth programs, and outdoor opportunities available throughout the community.
What Is Westbrook Highlander Academy?
The term Westbrook Highlander Academy essentially combines the building’s former identity with its current educational use.
Westbrook refers to the former Westbrook Elementary School in West Milford. In November 2022, the West Milford Township Board of Education voted to repurpose the elementary school building for Highlander Academy. The change was planned to take effect with the 2023–24 school year.
Highlander Academy itself was not created when Westbrook Elementary closed. The program already existed elsewhere in West Milford. Before the transition, Highlander Academy was operating in the former Our Lady Queen of Peace school building in Hewitt.
The change therefore involved two related developments: Westbrook ceased operating as an elementary school, and its building was repurposed to house Highlander Academy.
That distinction is helpful for anyone researching schools in West Milford, NJ, because older articles and records may refer separately to Westbrook School and Highlander Academy.
The district’s current website calls the program Highlander Academy, not Westbrook Highlander Academy.
A Brief History of Westbrook in West Milford
Westbrook was previously an elementary school within the West Milford Township School District.
In 2022, district officials considered restructuring their school facilities amid declining enrollment and reductions in state aid. Local reporting from the time documented discussions about closing Westbrook to elementary students and moving Highlander Academy into the building.
In November 2022, the Board of Education voted to repurpose Westbrook Elementary School into Highlander Academy beginning with the 2023–24 school year. Westbrook’s elementary students were reassigned within the district, and staff members received new assignments for the following school year.
The transition represented a change in the building’s educational purpose rather than the disappearance of the facility from the community.
Current district documentation provides especially clear confirmation of the change: a 2026 West Milford Township Public Schools document identifies the facility as “Highlander Academy (Formerly Westbrook Elementary School).”
For families who remember Westbrook Elementary, that history explains why searches for Westbrook Highlander Academy may produce information about both institutions.
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What Is Highlander Academy?
According to West Milford Township Public Schools’ official Highlander Academy page, Highlander Academy is a supportive educational community for students in grades 9–12 who need a smaller and more personalized educational program.
Highlander Academy students remain members of the West Milford High School student body. The district says the program is supported by high school teachers, Child Study Team members, school social workers, therapists, nurses, and district administrators. Students also have opportunities to take courses at the West Milford High School campus.
Academics and individualized education
The district states that academics at Highlander Academy are taught by special education teachers qualified in their subject areas. Academic programs are developed through students’ district Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, and align with applicable academic and graduation requirements.
The official school page currently lists subjects including language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education and health, Spanish, and electives such as personal finance, Holocaust studies, art, and photography.
The district describes its approach as supporting students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical development while recognizing individual differences and strengths.
Parents seeking information about eligibility, placement, IEP services, transportation, or specific educational supports should contact West Milford Township Public Schools directly rather than relying on older online descriptions, since individual educational services and placements can change.
Education and Community in West Milford, NJ
Education in West Milford extends beyond what happens during the school day. Families also have access to a community shaped by forests, reservoirs, historic sites, recreation areas, and public lands.
The Township of West Milford describes itself as the “Heart of the Highlands” and highlights outdoor recreation as an important part of the community. Its visitor information includes hiking, mountain biking, nature activities, historic sites, and other recreation opportunities.
That creates an interesting connection between West Milford, NJ education and learning outside the classroom.
A history lesson can continue at a local historic site. A science topic can lead to observing trees, streams, wildlife, or seasonal changes. Photography can encourage students to pay attention to details they might otherwise overlook.
Schools, families, nonprofits, recreation organizations, and community groups all have different roles, but together they can give young people more ways to learn and participate in their community.
Why Outdoor Activities Matter for Children
Outdoor recreation does not have to mean climbing a mountain or completing a difficult trail.
A short nature walk, wildlife observation, outdoor photography, or family hike can give children opportunities to move, explore, ask questions, solve simple problems, and interact with other people in a setting different from a classroom or home.
The CDC recommends that children and adolescents ages 6–17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Walking and other recreational activities can contribute to that goal, and the CDC encourages families to make physical activity enjoyable and appropriate for a child’s age and abilities.
Outdoor activities can also encourage practical learning. Children might read trail markers, notice changes in terrain, identify plants, photograph wildlife from a safe distance, or decide how to pace themselves on a walk.
For families interested in nature activities for children, the key is not making every outing strenuous or highly structured. An activity that matches a child’s interests and abilities is more likely to be enjoyable.
Exploring Nature With Take-A-Hike NJ
West Milford is also home to Take-A-Hike NJ, a nonprofit focused on helping young people gain access to outdoor hiking experiences.
Take-A-Hike’s stated mission is to provide safe and enjoyable hiking opportunities for children ages 8–17 who might otherwise have limited opportunities to explore the outdoors. Its work includes young people from underserved communities and youth who may encounter barriers to outdoor recreation.
Its 2025 impact report describes small-group guided hikes in Northern New Jersey and efforts to address practical participation barriers by providing transportation, meals and snacks, footwear assistance, and adult supervision. Participants also had opportunities to observe wildlife and use photography during outings.
That approach makes hiking about more than covering miles. Guided outdoor experiences can incorporate nature education, teamwork, observation, responsible trail behavior, photography, and age-appropriate challenges.
Importantly, families reading about Highlander Academy should not assume that Take-A-Hike NJ is part of the school district or that participation in one organization implies participation in the other. For current information about school activities, families should rely on official district communications.
Outdoor Activities for Kids Near West Milford
Families looking for outdoor activities for kids in New Jersey have plenty of categories to explore around West Milford.
Hiking and nature walks are obvious starting points, but children may also enjoy wildlife observation, outdoor photography, environmental education, historical exploration, or simply walking together as a family.
One verified local option is Long Pond Ironworks State Park. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection lists hiking, nature and wildlife viewing, historic interpretation, boating, fishing, and mountain biking among activities there. The park also contains remnants of the historic ironworking community that operated in the area.
The former Jungle Habitat property off Airport Road is now part of Long Pond Ironworks State Park and is identified by NJDEP as a popular access point for the park’s multiuse trail area.
Families should always consult official park information before visiting. Trail conditions, closures, rules, accessibility, and weather conditions can change.
How Parents Can Encourage Children to Explore Nature
Introducing a child to hiking works best when the first outing feels achievable rather than overwhelming. Parents can start with a short, clearly marked route and gradually try longer activities as a child’s comfort and interest increase.
A few practical habits make family outings easier:
- Choose a trail appropriate for the child’s age, experience, and abilities.
- Check official trail information and the weather before leaving.
- Bring enough water and appropriate snacks.
- Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing.
- Stay on designated trails and follow posted rules.
- Give children time to stop, observe wildlife, take photographs, or ask questions.
- Avoid making distance or speed the only measure of a successful outing.
- Turn a walk into a learning activity by looking for leaves, birds, rocks, historical features, or changes in the seasons.
The CDC similarly recommends making physical activity fun and selecting activities appropriate for children’s ages and abilities.
For many children, curiosity is a better motivator than telling them they need exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Westbrook Highlander Academy?
“Westbrook Highlander Academy” is an informal search phrase that reflects the transition of the former Westbrook Elementary School building to Highlander Academy. The district currently refers to the program as Highlander Academy.
Where is Highlander Academy located?
Highlander Academy operates in the facility formerly known as Westbrook Elementary School in West Milford, New Jersey. Current district documentation explicitly identifies Highlander Academy as formerly Westbrook Elementary School.
What happened to Westbrook Elementary School?
The West Milford Township Board of Education voted in November 2022 to stop using Westbrook as an elementary school and repurpose the building for Highlander Academy beginning with the 2023–24 school year.
What type of educational services does Highlander Academy provide?
The district describes Highlander Academy as a small, personalized educational program for students in grades 9–12. Academics are taught by special education teachers, and students’ programs are developed through district IEPs.
Is Highlander Academy part of West Milford Township Public Schools?
Yes. Highlander Academy is part of West Milford Township Public Schools, and its students are part of the West Milford High School student body.
What outdoor activities are available for children in West Milford?
Depending on the location, families can explore hiking, nature walks, wildlife observation, photography, environmental learning, and historical sites. For example, NJDEP confirms that Long Pond Ironworks State Park offers hiking, wildlife viewing, historical interpretation, and other recreation.
What is Take-A-Hike NJ?
Take-A-Hike NJ is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide safe, fun outdoor hiking opportunities for children ages 8–17 who might otherwise have limited access to outdoor exploration.
Final Thoughts
The story behind Westbrook Highlander Academy reflects an important change in West Milford’s educational community. Westbrook Elementary no longer operates as an elementary school; its former facility now serves Highlander Academy, while Highlander Academy continues to provide a smaller, personalized educational setting within West Milford Township Public Schools.
At the same time, living in West Milford gives families access to a community where education and outdoor exploration can naturally intersect. Hiking, photography, wildlife observation, historical exploration, and simple family walks can complement the learning children receive at school.
Families interested in giving children more opportunities to explore the outdoors can learn more about Take-A-Hike NJ and its youth hiking programs