Southern Regional High School

Southern Regional High School

"Committed to Excellence"
Location
90 Cedar Bridge Road
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Information
Type Public high school
Established 1957
School district Southern Regional School District
Superintendent Craig Henry
Principal Eric Wilhelm
Assistant principals Malcom Smith (9th)
Joseph DiPietro (10th)
Joseph Medica (11th)
Richard Falletta (12th)
Faculty 146.0 (on FTE basis)[1]
Grades 9 - 12
Enrollment 2,070[1] (as of 2012-13)
Student to teacher ratio 14.18:1[1]
Campus 550 acres (220 ha)
Color(s)      Black
    Vegas Gold
Athletics conference Shore Conference
Team name Rams
Rival Toms River High School North, Brick Township Memorial High School, Jackson Memorial High School
Publication Rampage
Website School website

Southern Regional High School is a regional comprehensive public high school located in the Manahawkin section of Stafford Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, serving students in ninth through twelfth grades and operating as part of the Southern Regional School District. The school is located on a 550-acre (220 ha) wooded campus. The district serves the five municipalities in the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District — Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom and Surf City — along with students from Beach Haven and Stafford Township, along with the sending district of Ocean Township (including its Waretown, New Jersey section).[2]

As of the 2012-13 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,070 students and 146.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.18:1. There were 315 students (15.2% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 158 (7.6% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[1]

Barnegat Township completed its withdrawal from the Southern Regional School District, and by the 2007-08 school year had students in grades 9-12 attending the new Barnegat High School, which was constructed in lieu of being a sending district.[3]

Awards, recognition and rankings

The school was the 192nd-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.[4] The school had been ranked 236th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 154th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.[5] The magazine ranked the school 192nd in 2008 out of 316 schools.[6] The school was ranked 213th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.[7] Schooldigger.com ranked the school tied for 175th out of 381 public high schools statewide in its 2011 rankings (an increase of 20 positions from the 2010 ranking) which were based on the combined percentage of students classified as proficient or above proficient on the mathematics (79.4%) and language arts literacy (94.2%) components of the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).[8]

History

Southern Regional High School opened in 1957 as a junior-senior high school, housing students from Stafford Township, Barnegat Township, Ocean Township, Tuckerton, Little Egg Harbor, Eagleswood Township, Bass River Township, and all six municipalities of Long Beach Island.

Prior to the opening of Southern Regional, students from Barnegat, Ocean Township, and Long Beach Island attended the former Barnegat High School, while students from Stafford, Eagleswood, Tuckerton, Little Egg Harbor, and Bass River attended the former Tuckerton High School, which currently houses Tuckerton's elementary school.

At first, the school only had two sports; boys' baseball and boys' basketball. Football was added in 1958, and wrestling came two years later. Girls had "Sports Nights" instead of competitive teams. It would not be until the 1960s when women's sports would first appear at Southern. Due to the quick growth of the area, a new wing and expanded gymnasium were added in 1966.[9]

In 1970, Southern Regional Middle School opened its doors to 7th and 8th graders. However, it soon became overcrowded. Starting in 1979, students from Tuckerton, Little Egg Harbor, Bass River, and Eagleswood, would attend the newly opened Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton. At the same time, an expansion was built onto the middle school, all ninth graders were moved from the high school to the middle school.

The high school went through several changes throughout the 1990s. In December 1991, maintenance crews installing a heating system sparked the fire that damaged the guidance area and several science labs, which were later remodeled.[10] The school also caught fire two years later after an explosion occurred in the school's main electric panel.[11] While a new wing of classrooms was added to the high school in 1996, a new two-story building was opened in 1998 adjacent to the existing high school, with the old high school building housing ninth and tenth graders known as the "9/10 building". At the same time, the middle school went back to housing the seventh and eighth graders.

In 2004, the Barnegat High School opened, starting with only a freshman class. Each year, a new year was added to Barnegat High School. June 2007 marked Southern Regional's last graduating class with students from Barnegat.[12] Barnegat High School became a full 9-12 high school in September 2007 and graduated its first seniors in June 2008.[13]

Academic programs

Southern Regional offers over 200 courses from which students can select. The courses are designed to appeal to a wide variety of student interests. Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered include AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP United States History, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Music Theory, AP Studio Art, Spanish Language AP United States Government and Politics, AP Statistics and AP Calculus (AB and BC are both offered). Several AP classes can be taken as independent study courses if a student is very adept at that subject, and or has completed previous AP courses. Courses such as, AP Comparative Government and Politics, is the most commonly taken. There are also honors classes such as Honors Wind Ensemble and Honors Select Choir.

The health and physical education program are required courses. Project Adventure, an outdoor education program, and behind-the-wheel driver education are also offered. Additionally, Southern Regional has an “Honor Unit” Air Force Junior ROTC program, which concentrates on aerospace science, leadership training, and community service. The special needs of students are addressed as well, through self-contained, resource, adaptive success, and in-class support programs. Mainsail (alternative) and ESL (English as a Second Language) programs are offered for eligible students. In addition to the academic programs, Southern Regional offers students over 70 co-curricular and interscholastic programs.

Athletics

The Southern Regional High School Rams compete in the Shore Conference, an athletic conference made up of private and public high schools centered at the Northern Jersey Shore.[14] All schools in this conference are located within Monmouth County and Ocean County, which operates under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).[15] With 1,484 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.[16]

The school was recognized as the Group IV winner of the NJSIAA ShopRite Cup in 2006-07. The award recognized the school for achieving a tie for 3rd in Girls Volleyball, 2nd in Wrestling, 1st in Girls Indoor Track and Field Relays, 1st in Indoor Track and Field, 2nd in Boys Volleyball and 1st in Girls Track and Field.[17]

The school was also recognized as the Group IV winner of the ShopRite Cup in 2008-09. Southern was recognized for achieving first in Girls Volleyball, 3rd in Boys Cross‐Country, Second in Football, Second in Wrestling, First in Girls Winter Track Relays, First in Girls Winter Track, First in Boys Volleyball, First in Girls Outdoor Track, Tied for 3rd in Boys Outdoor Track, plus 6 points for having no disqualifications in the Winter and Spring seasons.[18]

The wrestling team won the 2007 South, Group IV state sectional championship with a 51-12 win against Toms River High School East.[19]

The Southern football team had its most successful season in 2007. The team became the winningest team in school history by going 8-3. They also advanced to the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV state playoffs where they won their first playoff game in school history defeating Washington Township High School by 21-7 in the first round before falling to top-seeded Toms River High School North 33-0 in the tournament semifinal.[20][21]

Southern is also home to one of the most successful volleyball programs in the state. Both the boys and girls volleyball teams, coached by Eric Maxwell, routinely compete for state championships with the girls team winning the State Championship in the 2008-09[22] season and the boys team winning the State Championship that same year[23] and then repeating as Champions for the 2009-10 season.[24][25]

Extracurricular activities

The school's marching band was Tournament of Bands Chapter One Champions from 2001-2005 (Group 4) and 2011 (Group 2). The marching band was also New Jersey State Champions in 2011 for Group 2. The marching band was Atlantic Coast Champions in Group 4 in 2003, 2004 and in 2005 was the co-champion. The marching band was also Atlantic Coast Champions in Group 2 in 2011.[26] The marching band also competes in another circuit called Cavalcade of Bands. The marching band was Cavalcade of Bands Champions for the Liberty division in 2010 and 2011. The Jazz Ensemble has also won State Championships and has received many top honors. Both the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble have been ranked in the top four bands in the region for the past ten years and have been selected for the State Concert Band Gala every year since its inception. Southern Regional is known for having one of the premier music departments in the state.

The school came in second place in the Consumer Bowl 2007 state championship, a program that evaluates the skills of students as informed consumers.[27]

Administration

Members of the school's administration are:[28]

9/10 House
11/12 House

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 School Data for Southern Regional High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ Southern Regional High School 2014 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 29, 2015. "Located in Manahawkin, the Southern Regional School District draws from the constituent districts of Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars and Stafford Township, as well as the tuition sending district of Ocean Township (Waretown)."
  3. ↑ Pais, Matt. "New leader's roots go deep at Southern", Asbury Park Press, June 7, 2007. Accessed June 20, 2011. "The compounding effects of state aid restrictions and a pair of new laws regulating school budgets were imposed just as $30 million in tuition revenue from Barnegat students went out the door."
  4. ↑ Staff. "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014", New Jersey Monthly, September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.
  5. ↑ Staff. "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2012. Accessed August 26, 2012.
  6. ↑ Staff. "2010 Top High Schools", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2010. Accessed May 16, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank", New Jersey Monthly, September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.
  8. ↑ New Jersey High School Rankings: 11th Grade HSPA Language Arts Literacy & HSPA Math 2010-2011, Schooldigger.com. Accessed March 6, 2012.
  9. ↑ The History of SRHS, Southern Regional School District. Accessed March 12, 2011.
  10. ↑ Cronin, Steven. "SRHS FIRE BLAMED ON TORCHES", The Press of Atlantic City, December 25, 1991. Accessed March 12, 2011.
  11. ↑ Brunetti, Michelle. "CLEANING UP AT SOUTHERN / WORKERS CREATE SOME ORDER OUT OF MESS OF WIRES, SOOT", The Press of Atlantic City, November 4, 1993. Accessed March 12, 2011.
  12. ↑ The History of SRHS, Southern Regional High School. Accessed June 20, 2011.
  13. ↑ Procida, Lee. "Barnegat High grads ready to set example / First commencement set for Wednesday", The Press of Atlantic City, June 15, 2008. Accessed June 20, 2011.
  14. ↑ School Info, Shore Conference. Accessed March 9, 2008.
  15. ↑ League Memberships – 2014-2015, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 24, 2014.
  16. ↑ 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 24, 2014.
  17. ↑ Fourth Annual ShopRite Cup: 2006‐2007 Final Standings, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed June 2, 2008.
  18. ↑ Sixth Annual ShopRite Cup: 2008-2009 Final Standings, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  19. ↑ 2007 Team Wrestling Tournament - South, Group IV, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 24, 2007.
  20. ↑ Lulgjuraj, Susan. "Unbeaten Toms River North wins over Southern in Group IV playoffs", The Press of Atlantic City, November 17, 2007. Accessed June 20, 2011. "Last week's 21-7 win over Washington Township was the first playoff win in school history."
  21. ↑ 2007 Football - South, Group IV, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed February 27, 2008.
  22. ↑ 2008 Girls Volleyball Group IV Championship, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  23. ↑ 2009 Boys Volleyball State Championship, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  24. ↑ 2010 Boys Volleyball Tournament of Champions, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  25. ↑ McGarry, Michael. "Maxwell builds Southern Regional girls, boys volleyball into state championship powerhouses", The Press of Atlantic City, May 13, 2011. Accessed June 20, 2011. "The Southern boys (21-5 this season) are the two-time defending state champions. Maxwell won his 300th career game as boys coach last week. His career record is 302-72."
  26. ↑ Tournament of Bands - Chapter One History, Tournament of Bands. Accessed July 5, 2007.
  27. ↑ Voorhees High School Wins 2007 State Consumer Bowl Competition, New Jersey Attorney General press release dated May 22, 2007. Accessed February 27, 2008. "Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner, Hunterdon County, is the State Champion in the 11th Annual New Jersey Consumer Bowl, a quiz show-style competition that encourages students to become well-informed consumers.... Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin, Ocean County, took second place and West Milford Township High School in Passaic County came in third."
  28. ↑ Administration, Southern Regional High School. Accessed June 20, 2011.
  29. ↑ Weaver, Donna. "TV / LONG BEACH ISLAND WOMAN FINDS FAME WITH ROLE ON 'RENO 911!'", The Press of Atlantic City, March 15, 2007. Accessed March 12, 2011. "Birdsong graduated from Southern Regional High School in 1986."
  30. ↑ Steimle, Kevin. "Strong preseason earns Southern’s Glenn Carson a spot on Cardinals roster", Asbury Park Press, August 30, 2014. Accessed January 3, 2015. "Linebacker Glenn Carson made the Arizona Cardinals’ regular-season roster. Carson, a graduate of Southern Regional and Penn State, was not listed among the players released when the Cardinals announced their roster moves to get down to 53 players."
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Staff. Artist of the Week! Cymbals East Guitars, Rockfeedback, September 11, 2009. Accessed March 12, 2011. "Joseph Ferocious (Joseph D'Agostino) and Matthew Miller attended Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin, New Jersey where they graduated in the class of 2006 together."
  32. ↑ Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove, New Jersey's 9th Legislative District. Accessed March 12, 2011. "DiAnne made her way through the local school system, graduating from Southern Regional High School."
  33. ↑ Lulgjuraj, Susan. "Southern Regional graduate Clark Harris has good first day with Bengals", The Press of Atlantic City, October 15, 2009. Accessed August 26, 2012. "According to Bengals.com, Harris, a Southern Regional High School and Rutgers University graduate, passed his first test today."
  34. ↑ Clark Harris player profile, accessed April 7, 2007.
  35. ↑ Zucchino, David. "Grieving friends, family condemn Johnson slaying", The Indian Express, June 20, 2004. Accessed March 12, 2011. "Among the many signs of support was a digital bulletin board at Southern Regional High School: ‘‘Our prayers are with the family of Paul Johnson, Class of 1973.’’"
  36. ↑ Mackey, Robert. "More on the Soldier Kareem R. Khan", The New York Times, October 19, 2008. Accessed March 12, 2011. "Mr. Khan graduated from Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin in 2005, and enlisted in the Army a few months later, spurred by his memories of the 9/11 terror attacks."
  37. ↑ McWilliams, George. "SOCCER / KMOSKO OFF MUTINY'S ROSTER", The Press of Atlantic City, March 19, 2000. Accessed August 14, 2007. "Kmosko, a Southern Regional alumnus, had been picked up by the Mutiny off waivers from the Columbus Crew on March 2."
  38. ↑ McGee, Ryan. "As the new face of DEI, Truex Jr. weathers the storm", ESPN, August 20, 2007. Accessed February 27, 2008. "By the time Martin Jr. was a teenager, his driving talent was obvious, proven by a handful of regional and track championships. When he strode into Jerry Salvatore's shop class at Ocean County's Southern Regional High School, he began to learn the art of welding, too."
  39. ↑ Schroeder, Charles. "Ryan Truex finishes rookie year with a NASCAR title at Dover", The Press of Atlantic City, September 26, 2009. Accessed March 12, 2011. "Truex would be a senior at Southern Regional High School now but instead shifted to home-schooling to accommodate the travel and other demands of his racing career."

External links

Coordinates: 39°42′39″N 74°15′27″W / 39.710895°N 74.257422°W