By: | February 23, 2025 | | Fair Haven
By Emma Sylvia
Nestled in the heart of a state known for its optimal education, Monmouth County is home to some of New Jersey’s best school districts. No one knows this better than Fair Haven Superintendent of Schools, Sean McNeil. Being the top dog at a school containing about 1000 students, McNeil is ecstatic. “I love being a Fair Haven Knight,” he says.
McNeil didn’t start as an administrator, however. His career in education began right in the classroom, as a teacher working with students with special needs.
“I started my career as a teacher for preschool-aged students with autism. I absolutely loved being a special educator – it was so rewarding. Most students came to the class non-verbal, so helping them with something or saying their first word was an unbelievably rewarding experience,” he recalls. “I really wanted to go into administration because I wanted to help even more. I got to supervise the special education program, which helped hundreds of kids. They showed their faith in me with this position.”
For McNeil, being a superintendent was always part of his career goal.
“To be a superintendent, to have a whole community give their trust and faith in you to help raise their kids, is something that really interested me. There’s a lot of things we can do in life, and that was my calling. I’ve been very blessed to have those opportunities.” Some of the duties that accompany his title include implementing the district’s day-to-day operations, making final recommendations for curriculum initiatives, policy recommendations and more.
“From evaluation to door duty to goofing off with the kids during recess. It’s pretty all-encompassing,” he surmises.
While Monmouth County certainly boasts its fair share of stellar communities, for McNeil, there’s nowhere else he would rather be than Fair Haven.
“It’s a very special place,” he says. “I grew up in Little Silver, one town over, so I was always aware of how special this place was. I remained very impressed with the community and what it stood for – but, working here shows you a whole other side of it.” Being employed in Fair Haven allows him to see some of the famous traditions and community events that make the town special. McNeil shouts out Transition Day, where students ride their bikes in a big ceremony to commemorate going from one school to the next.
“The people here cherish their traditions. Even in this modern era, we’ve been able to keep those in place.”
As a community, Fair Haven prides itself on simple but unique highlights. Eighty percent of students ride their bikes to school, which McNeil notes isn’t a typical sight nowadays. The police department and borough council offer a familial atmosphere to the town, making it a great place to raise a family. “It’s a really accessible school district and community,” McNeil says. “You know where everyone’s hearts are – and that starts with the kids.”
McNeil elaborates on what makes Fair Haven’s schools great for students. “We do a really nice job for balance for the whole child; we pride ourselves on having something for everyone. The athletic programs excel, we have a wonderful arts department, we have multiple band concerts that happen throughout the year, and we have a diverse group of clubs – tech, yoga, coding – for the students. We really try to have something that piques everyone’s interest, regardless of where your affinities might be.”
Academically, Fair Haven ranks as one of the best in the state. McNeil treasures, however, being able to see the kids shine in all aspects – academically and socially. “I get to learn a lot about the kids in the things they elect to spend their time doing. It’s so rewarding to see what the children choose to do alongside what they’re required to do.”
Despite it being five years since the pandemic began, there are still lingering effects, however, McNeil is confident in his school’s standing and the students’ progress. “2024 was a wonderful year, among our most warm and high functioning school openings, he says. “The whole fall was a rewarding experience for staff and students. It could not have gone better.” For 2025, McNeil is most excited about their recently completed strategic plan, which enhances the district’s strengths and tackles areas of desired improvement. “It’s a lot of work, but very exciting,” he promises.
McNeil is more than happy with the success that’s been achieved in the past decade for Fair Haven. “At this point, we are in the 96th percentile for ELA [English Language Arts] in the state, and the 98th percentile for math.” In terms of new programs, McNeil is ecstatic about the development of their Gifted and Talented program. A few years ago, it was a fledgling program, but after some investment, Fair Haven finished third in the state for a recent Gifted and Talent event.
It’s not just the staff and educators that are stepping up for programs, though – it’s the students. A group of sixth graders started a club called the Fentanyl Fighters, who work with groups like the Tigger Stavola Foundation to raise awareness on drug abuse. “We’re really proud of that,” McNeil says. “We’re hoping to take that program to more students and enrich every student in the classroom.”
The district also aims to aid students who are struggling in class, leading to a heavy implementation of multi-sensory reading instruction. More than that, there’s been partnering with the PTA to provide more opportunities for students, especially in terms of academics like science. The staff, it seems, is always heavily involved and more than happy to help their students thrive.
With all of this, it’s hard not to be happy as a Superintendent. “The warmth, the empathy and support for the community, in my opinion, is second to none,” McNeil says. “It’s as child-centered of a community as I can imagine. I’m very blessed and humbled that I am in charge of any of it. I could not recommend it more highly. It’s a very special place.”
Interested in Fair Haven’s school events? Here’s a calendar of events for the remainder of the school year:
March 19: 6th - 8th Grade Play, Newsies Jr.
May 29 at 8pm: Spring Knollwood School Band Concert
June 4 - 4th: 5th Grade Play, Beauty and the Beast Jr.
