When cousins Ganeev ’26 and Arjan ’26 Sacher were kids in the same elementary school, they recall being assigned a buddy each time they ventured out of their classrooms in order to keep them comfortable and safe. So when they decided to make the switch from Glen Rock High School to Saddle River Day School, it only made sense for them to apply together for some of the same reasons.
Ganeev and Arjan give their time in the Glen Rock school system high marks, but both say that they made the switch to SRDS in order to access a more rigorous academic curriculum, to have the opportunity to immediately have an impact and make a difference in the school, and to experience the benefits of a low teacher:student ratio and the personal access this afforded them.
Though they’re related, Ganeev and Arjan have made their marks on Saddle River Day School in different ways. Ganeev is the secretary of the Public Forum Debate team and participated in Model UN this year. Arjan was on the basketball team and is a member of the South Asia club, helping to introduce aspects of South Asian culture to the members of the club and to the school as a whole. Both Ganeev and Arjan are on the Gateway Diploma track, Saddle River Day School’s unique signature program that emphasizes the exploration of individual, career-based interests through demanding coursework and field experience. Students graduating from this program have a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful college and career path.
Ganeev and Arjan both say that the best thing about Saddle River Day School is the people. They felt immediately folded into the community and were surprised by how easy it was to make friends and build relationships, especially with teachers. Ganeev says, “The teachers genuinely care about you and are willing to go the extra mile for you. They expect excellence but support the students and are understanding and helpful.” He notes that students at SRDS each have unique passions and skill sets so though they are competitive, they are also each other’s biggest fans.
At Saddle River Day School, Ganeev and Arjan have rediscovered their curiosity and love of learning. They appreciate that they are encouraged to follow their interests within the context of a demanding curriculum, and high academic expectations and standards. Arjan says he was surprised by how much material is covered in each class, but the schedule still allows for free periods in which to do research, study, or hang out with friends. This autonomy and balance has been one of his favorite things about his transition to SRDS this year.
Both Arjan and Ganeev have already contributed much to the fabric of SRDS life, but they both want to do more. Ganeev indicated an interest in being an Admissions Ambassador so he can share his experience with prospective students, and Arjan is looking forward to taking on leadership positions on his team and in his clubs. And, they have some advice for any other high school students who are contemplating making a switch. They say, “Do it. You’ll find what you’re looking for. SRDS has a beautiful campus, a welcoming community, academic rigor, and an activity, club, or team for everyone, no matter their interests.” They also know that they were fortunate to have had each other as they embarked on this new adventure. But they want new students to know they’ll be welcomed when they arrive, even if they aren’t lucky enough to have their cousin as their buddy.
VISIT SADDLE RIVER DAY SCHOOL
Open House
Grades PreK 3- Grade 12
Saturday, September 28th at 10am
Thursday, October 24th at 6pm
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Saddle River Day School
Pre-K3 to Grade 12
147 Chestnut Ridge Road • Saddle River, NJ 07458 • Tel: 201.327.4050
Watch your child grow from a student into a scholar—and into a lifetime of success.
From exploring Spanish, music and lab-based science beginning in Pre-K to hosting a TEDxYouth Conference in high school … from active play to competing on a championship Rebel Athletics team … inspiring success starts right from the beginning at Saddle River Day School.
Here, learning begins with an intriguing problem to solve, a story that captivates or a question that provokes curiosity—and the personal connection between teachers and students motivates everyone. To develop holistic, “right-brain” thinkers, we integrate science, technology, engineering, art and math, and celebrate different ways to solve real problems.
SRDS graduates from recent years are thriving at top colleges like Boston College, Northwestern, NYU, and UPenn. They are creative individuals inspired to think, solve and achieve—in academics and in life.
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