Fort Lee
Fort Lee NJ Schools
Fort Lee School District
The Fort Lee School District serves students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade in Fort Lee NJ. Schools in the district include four K-6 elementary schools Fort Lee Middle School (grades 7-8) and Fort Lee High School (grades 9-12).The combined average SAT score for 2004-2005 is 1086.
Elementary School #1 Website
Elemnetary School #2 Website
Elementary School #3 Website
Elementary School #4 Website
Middle School Website
Fort Lee High Website
For information on schools in Bergen County, please visit our Area Schools page.
For information on all schools within New Jersey, please visit All NJ Schools
General Information
Fort Lee NJSometimes referred to as “Hollywood on the Hudson” for its involvement in the film world, Fort Lee, New Jersey is 2.5 square miles in area, and near Cliffside Park, Englewood Cliffs, with the stunning Manhattan skyline and the rest of New York City in the distance.
Even with commercial and residential growth, Fort Lee has managed to keep its small-town charm. Fort Lee offers its 35,000+ residents with a variety of attractive housing options, including luxury high-rise apartments and townhouses as well as single family homes. In recent years, Fort Lee also has attracted people from diverse blend of cultures and ethnicities who have come to call this borough home. Fort Lee has a vibrant downtown, with unique historic roots. Conveniently located right by the George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee is just a short 5 minutes away from the Big Apple!
Fast Facts:
Population: 35,461
Zip code: 07024
Median Family income (1999): $72,140
Visit Fort Lee's Official Website
U.S. Census Bureau Fact Sheet
Fort Lee History
Originally a Dutch Settlement, Fort Lee became a notable part of American history during the Revolutionary War, specifically during the 1776 British campaign to control New York City and the Hudson River.
The British Navy sought to control the length of the Hudson. The British hoped that by cleaving the colonies in two at the Hudson, a swift end would come to the costly war. To this end, an armada the likes previously unseen in British naval history set sail from England to the tiny Hudson River Valley. A land army of over 31,000 British was assembled and waiting for to meet their naval counterparts on Staten Island. On August 22, the British landed on Long Island, and caused the Continental Army to retreat to New York City.
After engaging the enemy at New York City, Harlem Heights and White Plains, the Continental Army was to face off against the British again at Fort Washington. After this crushing defeat, the Continental Army retreated across the Hudson and manned the fortifications at Fort Lee. The area now known as Monument Park at the Fort Lee Museum is the site of Washington’s encampment.
General Washington saw that with losing Fort Washington, Fort Lee had little strategic value for the British, other than easy capture of his sitting army. Washington again made ready his troops to evacuate. The retreat came none too soon as General Cornwallis and a force of 7,000 men were in the process of crossing the Hudson River just north of Fort Lee. The retreat happened so quickly that most of the American supplies and artillery had to be left behind. Though these were dark, seemingly hopeless times for the American cause, eventually victory would come about, and a new nation would be born. Thomas Paine, who was in Fort Lee with Washington’s army, wrote the famous words, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
The George Washington Bridge
A famous landmark and vital commuter traffic artery that plays prominently in the Fort Lee area is The George Washington Bridge. Crossing the Hudson River between Fort Lee and Upper Manhattan, the bridge is part I-95. Designed by Swiss-American engineer Othmar H. Ammann, then-Chief Engineer for the Port Authority, the original six-lane bridge was first opened to traffic on October 25, 1931. Eventually, increased volume led to the creation of additional lanes in 1946, making the GWB an eight span bridge. The Lower Level was opened in 1962, making the GWB the world’s only 14-lane suspension bridge. In 1981, the GWB was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
History of the Film Industry in Fort Lee
The “Hollywood of the Hudson,” Fort Lee was the birthplace of film. The genesis of the industry was Thomas Edison’s “Black Maria,” the first motion picture studio in West Orange, New Jersey. As movie companies sought locations to film outdoor scenes, Fort Lee was a natural fit. With its plentiful countryside, Fort Lee could easily double for the “Wild West.” In fact, the term “cliff-hanger” denoting an overly suspenseful movie, came from the fact that the nearby Palisades were settings for these early suspense serials.
Fort Lee Parks & Recreation
The Fort Lee Recreation Department offers a variety of recreational services to residents of all ages to enhance the area’s quality of life. Park land, recreational facilities and youth sports programs including soccer and football are just some of the offerings available from the Fort Lee Recreation Department.
The Youth Center
Open to all youngsters ages 8 through 17 in the Borough of Fort Lee. In order to use the center, children must be registered with the center. There is a yearly registration fee of $1.00 to become a member of the center. This nominal fee allows youngsters to use of gymnasium, pool tables, ping pong table, and various board and table games.
Palisades Interstate Park, New Jersey Section
Some of the most beautiful and stunning views of the Palisades—a chain of cliffs extending through New Jersey and beyond—can be found in this park. Enjoy one of the many hiking trails in the park.
The Long PathThe Long Path
This long-distance hiking trail runs from George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey to Altamont, New York, in the Albany area, spanning about 347 miles. Many of the popular hiking attractions west of the Hudson River, such as the New Jersey Palisades, Harriman State Park, the Shawangunk Ridge and the Catskill Mountains are part of this trail. Hikers experience a wide variety of terrain through the entire trail like salt-marshes along the Hudson, boreal forest in the Catskills, and even a little bit of the suburbs.
Fort Lee Attractions
Fort Lee's Museum
Built by Judge Moore in 1922, out of Palisade Blue Stone, this museum opened its doors in April 1999. The Fort Lee Historical Society chronicles the history of Fort Lee, and the museum displays photos, documents, artifacts and films from the area’s past.
The Fort Lee Film Commission
The Commission works to preserve Fort Lee’s unique film heritage, and promotes Fort Lee’s role as birthplace of the American film industry. The Commission hosts the Cliffhanger Film Festivals, an annual series of spring and fall film festivals.