Rancocas Valley Regional High School

Rancocas Valley Regional High School
Type and location
Grades 9-12
Address 520 Jacksonville Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
District information
Superintendent Emily Capella
Business administrator Lisa Giovanelli
Schools 2
Students and staff
Enrollment 2,014 (as of 2012-13)[1]
Faculty 129.2 FTEs
Student-teacher ratio 15.58:1
Other information
District Factor Group DE
Website http://www.rvrhs.com/
Ind. Per Pupil District
Spending 		Rank
(*) 		9-12
Average		 %± vs.
Average
1ATotal Spending$17,3995$18,891-7.9%
1Budgetary Cost13,700915,592-12.1%
2Classroom Instruction7,63778,807-13.3%
6Support Services1,76172,294-23.2%
8Administrative Cost1,637231,5922.8%
10Operations & Maintenance2,048271,9544.8%
13Extracurricular Activities6189873-29.2%
16Median Teacher Salary64,0271671,726
Data from NJDoE 2014 Taxpayers' Guide to Education Spending.[2]
*Of 9-12 districts with any number of students. Lowest spending=1; Highest=47
Rancocas Valley Regional High School
Information
Type Public
Established 1934
Principal Emily Capella
Asst. Principal Bill Booth
Letti Branin
Chris Myers
Ron Wence
Faculty 125.4 (on FTE basis)[3]
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 1,957[3] (as of 2012-13)
Student to teacher ratio 15.61:1[3]
Color(s)      Red
     White
Athletics conference Burlington County Scholastic League
Team name Red Devils

Rancocas Valley Regional High School is a public high school and regional school district serving students in ninth through twelfth grades from five communities in Burlington County, New Jersey. The district encompasses approximately 40 square miles (100 km2) and comprises the communities of Eastampton Township, Hainesport Township, Lumberton Township, Mount Holly Township and Westampton Township.[4][5][6] The school is located in Mount Holly Township. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools since 1938.[7]

As of the 2012-13 school year, the district's two schools had an enrollment of 2,014 students and 129.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 15.58:1.[1] The district also includes 57 students enrolled at the Burlington County Alternative High School which is located on the campus of Burlington County College in Pemberton Township and serves students who haven't flourished in traditional high school settings.[8][9]

As of the 2012-13 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,957 students and 125.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 15.61:1. There were 338 students (17.3% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 114 (5.8% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[3]

The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "DE", the fifth highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.[10]

Awards, recognition and rankings

The school was the 174th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.[11] The school had been ranked 255th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 223rd in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.[12] The magazine ranked the school 242nd in 2008 out of 316 schools.[13] The school was ranked 243rd in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.[14]

Board of Education

The district's Board of Education consists of nine members: two each from Eastampton, Lumberton, Mount Holly and Westampton, and one member from Hainesport.

Facilities and programs

The school was built on the ruins of a private school for boys that was abandoned at the time of the Civil War. Mount Holly High School was founded around 1900, and after a vote to establish a regional high school, Rancocas Valley Regional opened its doors in fall 1934.[15]

Rancocas Valley High School offers a range of college prep, honors, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, business and industrial arts classes. Students can receive college credits by successfully completing specific high school courses through the Burlington County College Accelerated Program (CAP). Rancocas Valley High School offers over 40 clubs and activities.

RVTV is operated out of the school and showcases sporting events, concerts, graduations and student-created programming.[16]

Athletics

The Rancocas Valley Regional High School Red Devils compete in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL), which consists of nineteen public and non-public high schools covering Burlington County, Mercer County and Ocean County in central New Jersey, operating under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).[17] With 1,490 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2014-15 school year as South Jersey, Group IV for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 1,084 to 1,845 students in that grade range.[18] Rancocas Valley competes in the BCSL's Liberty Division. The school's mascot is the Red Devil and its colors are red and white.

The football team won the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III state sectional championships in 1987. Just two years earlier, in 1985, the team failed to win a single game.[19] Also, during the 1985 season, Tammy Kaye played in seven games, making her the first female to play for the Rancocas Valley football team.

In the 1990's, the boys basketball team became a powerhouse, by winning the 1996 Group III State Championship and the 1998 Group IV State Championship.[20] In 2008, boys basketball team won its third Championship, the Central Group IV state sectional championship with a 70-51 win over Trenton Central High School in the tournament final.[21][22] In 2011, the boys basketball team added a fourth Championship, by beating Jackson Memorial in the Central Jersey Group 4 title game.[23]

In 1998, the boys Varsity Spring Track team went undefeated for the first time since 1979.[24]

In 2004-05, the school's girls' softball team and boys' soccer team ended the season as state champions, with the boys soccer team as Group IV co-champion with Kearny High School in a game that ended in a scoreless tie after regulation and two overtimes.[25][26]

The softball team won the 2007 Central, Group IV state sectional championship, edging Manalapan High School 1-0 in the tournament final.[27]

The 2006 field hockey team took the Central, Group IV state sectional title with a 2-1 win against Cherokee High School (New Jersey) in the tournament final.[28]

The 2008 boys soccer team won the Group IV state championship with a 2-0 win over Clifton High School.[29]

The school is represented by an ice hockey team in Varsity Tier I of the South Jersey High School Ice Hockey League.

RV has produced three first round NFL Draft Picks in Franco Harris, Irving Fryar, and Alonzo Spellman.

Extracurricular activities

Rancocas Valley is the home of the Rancocas Valley Regional High School dance team, which has been in existence since 1999 and is the only high school dance team in South Jersey. The team prepares two elite dances every year for their competitions and to perform at basketball games. The team hosts the Reach For The Stars Dance Show in January of every year for the community. Over the course of the year, the team competes in 4 to 5 competitions. One of those competitions is the New Jersey State Championship. In the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2015, the dance team has taken first place in both their Team Performance, and their Kick routine. Every year the team raises money for their trip to Florida to compete in the National Dance Alliance (NDA) National Dance Competition. The team dances amongst and against the best dance teams in the country. In 2010 the team took 1st place in their Circus-themed High Kick Routine. This was the first National Championship the team has ever won. In 2011 the team took 1st place again with their Time-themed Team Performance routine.[30] In 2014, the team won its third National Championship, by winning the Small Varsity Kick division.[31]

In 2004, the RVRHS marching band won their first Group 3 National Championship Title in Allentown, PA for their piece "Pandora's Box". In 2009, The Marching Band won first place at the USSBA Group 3 Open National Championships with a score of 97.2 and came in first place at the USSBA Group 3 Open State Competition. These mark the highest accolades that the Rancocas Valley Marching Band have ever received. The band also won State Championships in 2010 in Group 3 Open with a score of 91.825 and receiving the captions best color guard, best music, best overall effect, and best visual. On October 30, 2010 the band won first place at the Northern States Competition in Allentown, PA with a score of 95.900, also receiving caption awards for best percussion, best colorguard, best music, and best overall effect. They beat many group 3 Open bands from around the region, in states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, Virginia,etc. On November 7, 2010 the band won yet again and took home the title for USSBA Group 3 Open National champions with a score of 97.8.[32] They also received best color guard, best music, and best overall effect.

Administration

Core members of the school's administration are:[33][34]

On April 1, 2014, Superintendent Dr. Jellig announced he would be resigning as superintendent to take a job as superintendent in South Brunswick.[35]

Notable alumni

Some of the notable alumni from Rancocas include:[36]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 District information for Rancocas Valley Regional, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ Taxpayers' Guide to Education Spending April 2013, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 15, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 School Data for Rancocas Valley Regional High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 8, 2015.
  4. ↑ Rancocas Valley Regional High School District 2014 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 8, 2015. "The Rancocas Valley Regional High School (RVRHS) District serves five sending districts covering approximately 40 square miles in Burlington County: Eastampton, Hainesport, Lumberton, Mount Holly and Westampton. RVRHS is situated on a picturesque campus in Mount Holly, the county seat."
  5. ↑ History of the School, Rancocas Valley Regional High School. Accessed June 24, 2008. "The district encompasses approximately 40 square miles (100 km2) and comprises the townships of Eastampton, Hainesport, Lumberton, Mount Holly, and Westampton."
  6. ↑ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 210.
  7. ↑ Rancocas Valley Regional High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools. Accessed June 22, 2011.
  8. ↑ About Us, Burlington County Alternative High School. Accessed June 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ School data for Burlington County Alternative High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed June 22, 2014.
  10. ↑ NJ Department of Education District Factor Groups (DFG) for School Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed November 23, 2014.
  11. ↑ Staff. "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014", New Jersey Monthly, September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.
  12. ↑ Staff. "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2012. Accessed August 24, 2012.
  13. ↑ Staff. "2010 Top High Schools", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2010. Accessed February 13, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank", New Jersey Monthly, September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.
  15. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152889008573529&set=gm.825856980807239&type=1&theater
  16. ↑ RVTV, Rancocas Valley Regional High School. Accessed August 17, 2011.
  17. ↑ League Memberships – 2014-2015, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 23, 2014.
  18. ↑ 2014-2015 Public Schools Group Classification: ShopRite Cup–Basketball–Baseball–Softball for South Jersey, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, as of July 8, 2014. Accessed November 23, 2014.
  19. ↑ McKee, Don "Rancocas Valley Set To Defend Its Title.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 18, 1988. Accessed March 25, 2014.
  20. ↑ http://articles.philly.com/1998-03-18/sports/25746859_1_coaching-two-years-conference-titles-junior-varsity-coach
  21. ↑ 2008 Boys Basketball - Central, Group IV, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed March 12, 2008.
  22. ↑ Ryan, Thomas. "Rancocas Valley boys win sectional title", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 4, 2008. Accessed March 12, 2008.
  23. ↑ http://blogs.app.com/insidethepaint/2011/03/07/boys-rancocas-valley-makes-it-a-long-night-for-jackson-memorial/
  24. ↑ Sugiura, Ken. "Team Balance Key To Red Devils' Rise To Division Throne Rancocas Valley Has Put It All Together. Leaders Are Hurdler Edgar Gantt And Sprinter Terrance Howard.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 15, 1998. Accessed August 17, 2011.
  25. ↑ Pompey, Keith. "Red Devils settle for shared title", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 20, 2004. Accessed June 22, 2011. "The Rancocas Valley boys' soccer team headed to The College of New Jersey looking to win the NJSIAA Group 4 state championship. And that's what the Red Devils did - sort of. Rancocas Valley and Kearny were named co-champions last night after the squads played through a scoreless regulation and two 10-minute overtimes."
  26. ↑ History of NJSIAA Boys Soccer, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed June 22, 2011.
  27. ↑ 2007 Softball - Central, Group IV, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed June 11, 2007.
  28. ↑ 2006 Field Hockey Tournament - Central, Group IV, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 31, 2007.
  29. ↑ Staff. "Rancocas Valley No. 1 in soccer", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 27, 2008. Accessed June 1, 2011. "The Rancocas Valley boys' soccer team began the preseason as The Inquirer's No. 1 South Jersey team and never moved off that perch. The Red Devils finished as the top team after beating Clifton, 2-0, in the state Group 4 championship."
  30. ↑ Krebs, Rose. "Rancocas Valley Dance Team wins national championship", Burlington County Times, March 21, 2011. Accessed April 5, 2011. "The Rancocas Valley High School Dance Team was once again placed first at the National Dance Alliance’s national championship in Orlando, Fla. on March 12–13."
  31. ↑ Dance Team, Rancocas Valley Regional High School. Accessed August 19, 2014.
  32. ↑ Goebel, Caryn. "Champions named in final Nationals, Northern States shows", USSBA, November 7, 2010. Accessed August 17, 2011. "Congratulations go out to our Group VI and III USSBA National Champions:George Walton High School - Group VI, Rancocas Valley Regional High School - Group III"
  33. ↑ Administration, Rancocas Valley Regional High School. Accessed June 22, 2014.
  34. ↑ New Jersey School Directory for Burlington County, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 22, 2014.
  35. ↑ Krebs, Rose. "Rancocas Valley superintendent submits his resignation", Burlington County Times, April 1, 2014. Accessed August 19, 2014. "Gerard Jellig, the superintendent at Rancocas Valley Regional High School, submitted his resignation Tuesday and plans to take over as chief administrator in South Brunswick."
  36. ↑ Rancocas Valley Regional High School VIPs 29 October 2009
  37. ↑ Westcott, Rich. "Pat+Fidelia+Rancocas" Veterans Stadium: field of memories, p. 189. Temple University Press, 2005. ISBN 1-59213-428-9. Accessed February 14, 2011.
  38. ↑ Staff. "SOCCER / U-17 Barons tie Inter Milan 1-1", The Press of Atlantic City, August 23, 2008. Accessed November 26, 2013. "Ryan Finley, a Lumberton resident and Rancocas Valley High School student, scored for the Barons 30 minutes into the game to make it 1-1."
  39. ↑ Livingston, Bill. "MAN IN MOTION - FRYAR'S SHIFTINESS MAKES HIM A NEBRASKA GAME-BREAKER", The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 30, 1983. Accessed June 11, 2007. "We will join Irving Fryar in progress, which happened to be his usual state last night in Nebraska's 44-6 victory over Penn State at Giants Stadium: Having just taken a quick screen pass two yards (2 m) upfield from quarterback Turner Gill in the third quarter, Fryar, the Nebraska wingback from Rancocas Valley High, ducked behind a sceening [sic] block by a lineman and then he was off."
  40. ↑ Callahan, Kevin. "RV grad shines on, off the football field", Courier-Post, September 7, 2005. Accessed February 13, 2011. "Ron Gassert, 65, starred at Rancocas Valley High School and then the University of Virginia."
  41. ↑ Ron Gassert's biography
  42. ↑ Franco Harris: From Mt. Holly to the Hall of Fame..., New Jersey LifeStyle, accessed December 21, 2006. "Harris grew up in a family of nine children in Mt. Holly, near the Fort Dix Army base, and starred at Rancocas Valley Regional High School."
  43. ↑ "Pete Harris, former Penn State safety, dead at 49", Philadelphia Daily News, August 15, 2006. Accessed June 24, 2008. "Harris played football, basketball and baseball at Rancocas Valley High in South Jersey."
  44. ↑ Vogeding, John. "Bloomsburg's Cooper gets defensive honor", Courier-Post, November 3, 2007. Accessed February 14, 2011. "Freshman Benjamin Ijalana (Rancocas Valley) is starting at offensive tackle for the 5-3 Wildcats."
  45. ↑ Junie B. Jones: About Barbara Park, accessed December 21, 2006. "[Q:] Where did you go to high school? [A:] I went to Rancocas Valley Regional High School (RVRHS) in Mt. Holly, NJ. I loved that high school, I tell you!
  46. ↑ Garber, Greg. "Spellman returns to football after addressing disorder", ESPN.com, June 9, 2006. Accessed June 11, 2007. "The video of his junior and senior seasons at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, N.J., is, frankly, amazing. Spellman, a head taller than most of the other players, virtually engulfs opposing runners. He seems to almost absorb them into his imposing body."
  47. ↑ DeMya Walker player profile, WNBA. Accessed June 11, 2007. "Established a Rancocas Valley High School record for career rebounds (851), rebound average (14.2 rpg), most rebounds in a game (29), points in a season (675), and career points (1,546)"

External links

Coordinates: 40°00′16″N 74°46′51″W / 40.004394°N 74.780696°W