The original high school, Pascack Valley High School was built in Hillsdale in 1955. In 1963 a second high school was built in Montvale, the Pascack Hills High School , with additions to the facility constructed in 1967. The voters elect the Board of Education members and vote on school budgets. The Superintendent appointed by and responsible to the Board of Education, is the executive in charge of the instruction program and personnel. The Board of Education adopts its own budget.
Residents vote upon the amount to be raised for the taxation for current expense and capital outlay.
If the vote of the people at the annual election is favorable, these amounts are certified directly to the County Board of Taxation of Bergen County and the tax rate is struck accordingly. If the voters do not approve the amounts, the budget goes to the Borough's governing body. If it is not acted upon by the Borough governing body within the time specified by law, it then goes to the Commissioner of Education of the State of New Jersey and he, after a hearing, can only approve the total budget, as submitted, or reduce it. In addition, the Board has appeal opportunities to the Commissioner if the Board does not agree with the Borough governing body's action in reducing the budget. There are many elementary and secondary private and parochial schools located conveniently near the Borough.