Seton Hall Prep Tutoring Program Soars At West Orange Elementary School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Every Thursday, 80 students from Seton Hall Prep walk to Hazel Elementary School and tutor students in all academic disciplines, including English as a second language.

According to John Pascal, English teacher at SHP, “The program began in 2011 at the request of then-principal Dr. Edwin Acevedo, who asked me as then-SHP Student Council Moderator to recruit students to help academically needy students. We had to stop in March 2020 due to Covid.”

“It is our honor and pleasure to resume our in-person tutoring program with Hazel Avenue Elementary School after a nearly six-year hiatus,” he added.

“There are now roughly 56 tutors who provide support and organizational skills across the academic disciplines. New to the program are an additional 24 tutors who are fluent enough in differing Spanish by native country of origin to help children with acquiring their English-speaking skills with confidence,” Pascal explained.

Each week, 75 Hazel students receive individualized academic support from dedicated Seton Hall Prep tutors, creating a high-energy environment focused on learning and growth,” began Hazel Principal Joel Castillo.

“The program runs one day a week—every Thursday—from school dismissal until 4:15 p.m. During this time, students work closely with their tutors on homework support across all subject areas. Once homework is completed, students continue building their skills through ELA and math enrichment, using targeted materials and supports provided directly by Hazel homeroom teachers.”

“This collaborative structure ensures that tutoring is closely aligned with classroom instruction, allowing students to reinforce key concepts while gaining confidence and independence as learners. The near one-to-one ratio between students and tutors allows for personalized attention and strong mentoring relationships,” Castillo acknowledged.

“Our SHP Class of 2026 Tutor Coordinators Alejandro Cadena, Raphael Morales, and Joseph Ulloa deserve all the credit for pairing the nearly 80 tutors each week to their children and getting them the required homework. SHP Tutors selected for their weekly one-hour academic dedication have brought other like-minded SHP students from all our grades to help the academic progress of our student-neighbors at Hazel,” Pascal went on to say.

Cadena, Ulloa, and Morales explained the process of recruiting tutors.

“We began by designing a Google form and distributing it prior to the end of the 2025 school year,” described Ulloa.

“Once we had all the forms, we began contacting each person individually,” noted Morales.

“We also advertised around school, made announcements, and more,” included Cadena.

“Our commitment and enthusiasm are best stated by Griffin Bridges Scholar Jorry Vertilus SHP '27: "We are given so much and have much more provided for us. So much so that we could never pay it all back. This program motivates us to do our best and give back as much as possible to our supporters and community," expressed Pascal.

"Castillo concluded his comments by saying, “Overall, the program is going exceptionally well. Students are engaged, tutors are committed, and teachers report positive feedback on both academic progress and student motivation. The Thursday tutoring sessions have quickly become a valuable extension of the school day—one that supports achievement, fosters collaboration, and strengthens connections between Hazel and Seton Hall Prep."

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