06/15/2026
Vineland's four middle schools and its social studies program were recently featured in an op-ed published on NJ.com written by Aruna Patel, Vice President and Chief Programs Officer at the Center for Civic Education, available to read here: https://www.nj.com/opinion/2026/06/nj-students-learn-democracy-through-community-problem-solving-opinion.html
Over the course of the school year, every middle school student in Vineland collaborated with classmates to complete a Project Citizen project. Acting as policymakers, students identified and researched real-world problems and developed proposals for potential solutions. Sixth-grade students focused on issues within their schools, seventh-grade students examined district-wide concerns, and eighth-grade students explored challenges facing the broader Vineland community. Along the way, students learned practical civic engagement skills, including conducting interviews, making phone calls, and writing emails to policymakers and public officials. The project also strengthened key Portrait of a Graduate competencies such as collaboration, communication, critical thinking, empathy, and responsibility while preparing students to become active, engaged citizens.
Some students were selected to present their proposals to the Vineland Board of Education, while others shared their recommendations with their principals. Student proposals covered a wide range of topics, including naming the center of Pilla School, classroom utilization at Johnstone School, district dress code policies, and the development of the district's new cell phone policy. Through the process, students researched issues, developed recommendations, and presented their ideas directly to school and district leaders, gaining firsthand experience in civic engagement and the policymaking process.
Across all four middle schools, students consistently reported that Project Citizen helped them understand how public policy works, strengthened their collaboration and communication skills, and showed them that their voices can have an impact on their school and community. Many students also noted that the project provided valuable experience in research, problem-solving, and civic engagement while teaching them that meaningful change requires teamwork, persistence, and informed decision-making.
The recognition from the Center for Civic Education highlights Vineland Public Schools' ongoing commitment to providing students with authentic learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to real-world civic participation and community engagement.
From park maintenance in East Orange to school safety in Vineland, young people are learning to research problems, negotiate solutions, and advocate for change.
