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2013’s South Jersey High School Guide

by Amanda Hamm Hengel

With the start of another school year just around the corner, we present Suburban Family’s annual South Jersey High School Guide. Whether your child is heading into his or her senior year, or just taking the first steps into a new school, we hope the information we have compiled will better acquaint you with these 17 public and private schools in the area.

Along with average SAT scores, student/teacher ratios and graduation rates (gleaned from the New Jersey school performance reports and information submitted directly from the schools), the guide also highlights school administrators’ thoughts on what makes their school unique along with their best advice for incoming freshmen and rising seniors—all information we trust will help you start this school year off on the right foot.

Bishop Eustace
Senior class size: 178
Tuition: $15,600 (2013-2014)
Average SAT score breakdown: (Top 25 percent)
Math: 684
Critical Reading (Verbal): 675
Essay: 683
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Graduation rate: 100 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 98.3 percent

What makes your school unique?
“We work on a six-letter day cycle; some of the academic classes do not meet on every letter day. In place of the class, students have a scheduled ‘Prep Time’ where they are able to work in the library, go to Crusader Hall (which is like a student center), or spend time with classmates in the ‘Quad.’ Prep time teaches students the importance of time management and prepares them for the ‘free time’ in college; allows them to receive individualized instruction from teachers in the library resource areas; and provides the opportunity to complete assignments and study during the school day.”
-Nick Italiano, Director of Institutional Advancement

Camden Catholic
Senior class size: 172
Average SAT score breakdown: (Top 25 percent)
Math: 601
Critical Reading (Verbal): 580
Essay: 599
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Graduation rate: 100 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 98 percent

What’s new?
“Our Msgr. Martin Fellowship Program. Teachers were asked to compete for a fellowship spot worth $10,000 over two years to develop a plan to enhance 21st century skills in our school. Mr. Calvin Peck was awarded the scholarship for his S.T.E.M. program for seniors. Students will study the aspects of S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and learn how to become effective educators in the S.T.E.M. disciplines. They will design experiments around engineering principles and teach these skills to elementary students.”
-Mary Whipkey, Interim President and Director of Admissions

Cherokee
Senior class size: 582
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 540
Critical Reading (Verbal): 515
Essay: 507
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Graduation rate: 96.4 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 82 percent

Advice for rising seniors:
“Participate in the senior trip. This is many students’ first opportunity to be truly away from parents and with fellow classmates/friends. It is a small taste of the real world, dealing with roommates, making plans and being on your own all day. Also participate in the Senior Day of Service. The Senior Day of Service enables every senior to have the opportunity to give back and, in most cases, to see the fruits of their labor. They learn that small things make a difference.”
-Donna Charlesworth, Principal, CHS North

Cherry Hill East
Senior class size: 474
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 585
Critical Reading (Verbal): 551
Essay: 566
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Graduation rate: 96 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 85 percent

What makes your school unique?
“East is unique in that the talent pool is great. This year, over 50 students were honored as Commended Students or National Merit Finalists. Our students are high performing in the classroom and engaged in the extracurricular program. East drama, music and art programs are exemplary. Eastside, the school newspaper, has ranked 1st in the state of New Jersey for four consecutive years; our Habitat for Humanity Program is in its eighth year; and our Character Education Program is flourishing.”
-John O’Breza, Recently Retired Principal

Cherry Hill West
Senior class size: 391 (2014)
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 532
Critical Reading (Verbal): 512
Essay: 518
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Graduation rate: 90 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 74 percent

Advice for incoming freshmen:
“Take the opportunity to try new things and explore your interests through academic electives throughout your high school career. Join at least one team/club/activity or start one if you have a new idea or unique interest. Get to know the faculty. Find those who can be a support for you. Being able to self-advocate and seek out resources and supports will only enhance your high school experience. Stretch and challenge yourself; don’t be afraid to be outside of your comfort zone. Get involved and enjoy yourself; this is an opportunity for real growth.”
-Dr. Kwame R. Morton Sr., Principal

Clearview Regional
Senior class size: 410
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 535
Critical Reading (Verbal): 493
Essay: 492
Student/teacher ratio: 14:1
Graduation rate: 95 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 87 percent

What’s new?
“A state-of-the-art baseball athletic complex, including a new baseball field, opened last spring, and a new lacrosse/soccer field was also constructed.”
-Dodd Terry, Guidance Director

Eastern Regional
Senior class size: 529
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 555
Critical Reading (Verbal): 529
Essay: 535
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Graduation rate: 93.1 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 93 percent

Advice for rising seniors:
“Seniors should come prepared to be challenged academically and be willing to give of their time and talents to those less fortunate.”
-Robert Tull, Principal??

Gloucester Catholic
Senior class size: 180
Tuition: High School/$8,125
Junior High/$4,450
Average SAT score breakdown: (Top 20 percent)
Math: 589
Critical Reading (Verbal): 576
Essay: 596
Student/teacher ratio: 18:1
Graduation rate: 99 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 97 percent

What’s new?
“Gloucester Catholic has partnered with the Nancy Mulford School of Dance to form a dance team for the coming school year. This new opportunity is open to both junior high and senior high students. Our consolidated campus now includes the adjacent Saint Mary’s Building, which provides updated classrooms for ninth grade and junior high students.”
-Katharine Coghlan, Assistant Director of Development

Haddonfield Memorial
Senior class size: 176
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 609
Critical Reading (Verbal): 602
Essay: 609
Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
Graduation rate: 100 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 98 percent

Advice for incoming freshmen:
“The best piece of advice I can offer our incoming freshmen is the importance of balance. In a school with over 90 percent participation in extracurricular activities, there is little doubt students will become involved. This involvement, however, must be balanced with the extra academic and social demands of a high school.”
-Chuck Klaus, Principal

Kingsway Regional
Senior class size: 367
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 514
Critical Reading (Verbal): 495
Essay: 495
Student/teacher ratio: 13:1
Graduation rate: 94 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 83 percent

What’s new?
“We are currently in the final phase of a major construction project that has added 15 new general education classrooms; two state-of-the-art, large-group instruction classrooms; two science labs; an instrumental music room; a second media center; an expanded cafeteria; a new fitness center; computer labs; a new TV production studio; as well as other renovations. We have recently partnered with Gloucester County College, developing the first S.T.E.M. Academy partnership in Gloucester County. We currently have two academies, one with a biology concentration and the other with a chemistry concentration. We will continue to expand our academy options moving forward. Kingsway students enrolled in an academy can earn as many as 32 college credits while earning a high school diploma.”
-Craig Stephenson, Principal

Lenape
Senior class size: 494
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 554
Critical Reading (Verbal): 519
Essay: 510
Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
Graduation rate: 96.4 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 81 percent

Advice for rising seniors:
“Good decisions set the stage for success in your senior year and beyond. Continue to make good decisions and you will have continued success. Work hard your senior year, even though it might be tempting to slack off; be a role model for underclassmen.”
-Tony Cattani, Principal

Moorestown
Senior class size: 342 (Class of 2014)
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 586
Critical Reading (Verbal): 563
Essay: 558
Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
Graduation rate: 96 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 82 percent

Advice for incoming freshmen:
“Incoming freshmen to Moorestown High School are encouraged to explore our many extracurricular activities and athletics in addition to their academics. Of particular importance is involvement with grade-level and schoolwide student government. Be a part of the ongoing changes throughout the school by being an active member of the student body.”
-Andrew Seibel, Principal

Moorestown Friends
Senior class size: 71
Tuition: $25,700
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 619
Critical Reading (Verbal): 627
Essay: 631
Student/teacher ratio: 9:1
Graduation rate: 100 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 100 percent

What makes your school unique?
“Moorestown Friends values spiritual and ethical learning equally with academic learning. Spiritual and ethical education doesn’t just happen in one course. Our Examined Life program is present in all disciplines and integrated into daily life at MFS inside and outside the classroom. The phrase ‘Examined Life’ is drawn from Socrates’ axiom: ‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’ … Another unique program is our Intensive Learning program. For one week in March, regular classes are suspended and Middle and Upper School students and teachers engage in an in-depth study of a specific subject, often involving off-campus research—near and far. Many programs occur in South Jersey and Philadelphia, but there are also trips to locations such as the Florida Everglades, the Appalachian Trail, Hawaii, Cuba, Costa Rica, Mexico, and many European countries.”
-Justin Brandon, Upper School Director

Paul VI
Senior class size: 274 (Class of 2014)
Tuition: $8,090 (for 2013-2014)
Average SAT score breakdown: (Top 25 percent)
Math: 585
Critical Reading (Verbal): 579
Essay: 586
Student/teacher ratio: 15:1
Graduation Rate: 100 percent
Percentage of graduates pursing secondary education: 98 percent

What’s new?
“With respect to athletic programs, Paul VI is proud to partner with ‘Play like a champion today,’ the University of Notre Dame’s initiative focused on promoting a positive sports culture for all young people. The initiative at PVI works with athletes, coaches, parents and administrators to develop ethically responsible sports leaders and to promote character development through athletics. The Paul VI community will benefit from the program’s on-site clinics and workshops and online courses; Paul VI personnel will attend the annual Summer Leadership Conference at Notre Dame.”
-Kathleen W. Steward, Director of Admissions

Seneca
Senior class size: 316
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 540
Critical Reading (Verbal): 506
Essay: 505
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
Graduation rate: 94.6 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 71 percent

Advice for incoming freshmen:
“Take advantage of the four years in high school because they go by very fast and can have a great impact on the rest of your life; get involved and study hard. The easiest way to make the right kinds of friends in high school is to get involved in whatever interests you. Pursue what you like, but start by attending our Frosh Festival in late August. It introduces students to our school and gives them a chance to meet teachers and classmates before the start of school.”
-Jeffrey Spector, Principal

Shawnee
Senior class size: 397
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 560
Critical Reading (Verbal): 540
Essay: 529
Student/teacher ratio: 12:1
Graduation rate: 95.8 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 83 percent

Advice for rising seniors:
“I always tell seniors to enjoy their high school experience. I tell them to embrace high school and stay involved. Some kids want to grow up too fast. I tell them this is a time to be a kid one last time; don’t worry about doing adult things yet. They put a lot of stress on themselves because they don’t know what the immediate future holds. My advice is to work hard, do the best you can and good things will happen. Classes that have taken this advice to heart have had a ball during their senior year—when they participate in plays, attend sporting events and other activities, typically the year goes very well.”
-Matthew Campbell, Principal

Washington Township
Senior class size: 615
Average SAT score breakdown:
Math: 522
Critical Reading (Verbal): 506
Writing: 502
Student/teacher ratio: 11:1
Graduation rate: 93.7 percent
Percentage of graduates pursuing secondary education: 94 percent

What makes your school unique?
“For the past two years, the school has been recognized with a Gold Jefferson Award from the state of New Jersey for our work in community service. This year, we took first place in the state and third nationally. We are unique in the sense that this high school, despite its large size, offers a place for students to be nurtured and to grow, while being academically challenged and learning the importance of making a difference in your community.”
-Joe Bollendorf, Principal

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 6 (August, 2013).
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