James Madison High School
Brooklyn, NY
Alumni Association

The PRINCIPALS of
James Madison High School
  • 1925-1929 Mr. A. Mortimer Clark
    “Half the students who entered actually graduated,” Mr. Clark comments:
    1. “Develop high standards of scholarship, review problems from all sides before coming to a rational conclusion.”
    2. “…teach you good citizenship. Obey laws of nature and the laws of the land, and, respect the rights of others.”
    3. “…good sportsmanship in games and in life.”
  • 1930-1941 Dr. William R. Lasher
    “Envy is ignorance, imitation is suicide. You cannot ape genius; you cannot ape talent. The eyes of the world are quick to see through hypocrisy and sham…Be sure not to forget that the last school day before the Christmas recess is always Alumni Day at Madison. If it is in any way possible, be sure to come to see us on that day.”
  • 1942 Mr. George B. Downing
    “At the moment our country is engaged in an all-out war effort. You will accept the full responsibility of citizenship in order to protect our heritage. Pledge your best for total defense.”
  • 1943- 1964 Dr. Max Newfield
    “Bear in mind the long-term aim of self development to a point where you are most useful to your country and yourself.”
  • 1965-1967 Mr. Henny T. Hillson
    “…If I could choose one goal to single out, it would be the goal of excellence above all else. This we can all seek in common and strive to reach whatever our talents may be."
  • 1968-1974 Dr. Samuel Forsheit
    “When you think back to your life in Madison, it will be with a nostalgia that nothing else can match.”
  • 1975-1983 Mr. Ira Ewen
    “To make our own lives rich and meaningful each of us must blend fantasy and reality. Dreams are essential to our mental health: to our ability to cope with stress, to deal effectively with problems’ and to sleep soundly.”
  • 1985-1990 Mr. Norman Fisher
    “A well instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.”
  • 1992-1995 Ms. Constance M. Ranieri
    “We have equipped you with the necessary skills which you will need to be the leaders of tomorrow.”
  • 1997-2002 Dr. Sandra Abrams
    “In your daily experience overwhelmed by the fast pace and popular culture, it can be easy to lose sight of the things that are truly important to you, a set of core values that doesn’t change when you make new friends, change your college major, re-do your personal style or trade your taste in music. These are the values that will keep you on course and ultimately make you happy.”
  • 2003-2004 Dr. Joseph Gogliormella
    "... value your journey through high school as much as you enjoyed the exhilaration of arriving at your destination -- Graduation Day."

Contacts: Co-Pres. Dick Kossoff ~ Co-Pres. Sandra Goldberg Roche ~ John Rice