2018 Annual Report to the Community Freehold Regional High School District
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FREEHOLD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT S e a s o 2018 n ANNUAL2003 REPORT T O T H E COMMUNITY Our Schools A Diverse Community of Approximately 10,800 Students and 1,300 Faculty & Staff Colts Neck High School Colts Neck High School’s 59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Girls Track team won the Central Jersey Group III (732) 761-0190 Championship for the first time in the school’s history Freehold High School 2 Robertsville Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 (732) 431-8360 Freehold High School’s Jazz Band performed a lunchtime concert at the Monmouth County Freehold Township High School Courthouse 281 Elton Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 (732) 431-8460 Howell High School 405 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Farmingdale, NJ 07727 Freehold Township High (732) 919-2131 School’s Ice Hockey Team volunteered at a soup kitchen in Asbury Park Manalapan High School 20 Church Lane, Englishtown, NJ 07726 (732) 792-7200 Marlboro High School Howell High School students 95 North Main Street, Marlboro, NJ 07746 were selected to perform in (732) 617-8393 the All-State Chorus Central Administration Building 11 Pine Street, Englishtown, NJ 07726 (732) 792-7300 Four members of Manalapan High School’s Girl Up Club Who We Serve attended NBC’s TODAY show’s Colts Neck Township, Englishtown Borough, Farmingdale celebration for International Borough, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell Day of the Girl Township, Manalapan Township and Marlboro Township Freehold Regional High School District Mission Six Marlboro High School The schools of the Freehold Regional High School District form a diverse and supportive community offering innovative students won medals at the and comprehensive programs that inspire students to FCCLA State Leadership maximize their potential, preparing them to navigate an Conference evolving global society. 2 From Our Superintendent It is impossible to recognize all the fantastic accomplishments of our students and staff over the last year in the limited pages of this report. The Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) continues to serve as a lighthouse district in the state and nation in providing the highest quality educational experience for students. We continue to be guided by our strategic plan, Compass 2.0, and its four core focus areas: Whole Child, Student Growth and Learning, Equity and Opportunity, and Community Partnerships. Our vision for the district is to empower all students to identify and develop their passions in rigorous coursework. To that end, we have expanded our post-secondary partnerships to include two new ones with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Students in the Web Design pathway program will be able to take the NJIT course, Information Systems 219 Advanced Website Development. Students successfully completing the course will receive college credits that appear on a NJIT transcript. In addition, students in Howell High School’s Engineering and Technology program will participate in NJIT’s pre-apprenticeship MechaFORCE program in advanced manufacturing. Partnerships like these provide excellent opportunities for students to pursue their passions and gives the advantage of additional preparation for their careers after high school, whether that be at a college, university or in a trade. At the start of the 2018-2019 school year, FRHSD moved to a rotating block schedule which provides 67 minutes of instructional time for each class. The longer periods allow for greater depth of instruction and increases the opportunity for teachers to utilize differentiated and varied teaching strategies (e.g. cooperative learning, inquiry-based lessons, simulations), as well as student-centered learning experiences and instructional approaches. After surveying our students regarding the new rotating block schedule, the majority have reported positive experiences with the structure. With over 300 community partnerships in place, our students gain practical, real- world experience through their interactions with our partners. Whether it’s job shadowing or post-secondary credit earning opportunities, these partnerships help provide students with invaluable tools, skills, and experiences that provide a real-world connection that reinforces classroom learning and contextualizes it in the world that awaits them after their formal schooling is complete. While there were many successes this past year, we continue to look for ways to improve the educational experience for all of our students. I look forward to another exciting school year of teaching, learning, and extraordinary student accomplishments and thank you for your continued support of our children. Warmest regards, Charles Sampson Superintendent of Schools 3 Strategic Plan - Compass 2.0 Embracing a Plan for the Future The Freehold Regional High School District is a model of excellence among school districts, both locally and nationally. Our work, guided by our most recent strategic plan, Compass 2.0, is aimed at ensuring that all of our students have opportunities to develop their passions in rigorous courses and programs. Through this commitment, we have developed unique approaches to the analysis of student achievement, the development of curricula and programs, and the professional development of our leaders and teachers. Social Emotional Learning Survey Results During summer and fall of 2018, Guidance Supervisors in collaboration with school counselors analyzed the data from the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) survey that was administered to all students in grades nine through eleven during the 2017-2018 school year. The FRHSD partnered with Hanover Research to conduct the SEL survey in an effort to provide the district with data and a comprehensive analysis of areas of strengths and challenges in an effort to plan for the necessary programming and supports for students. After reviewing the student self- assessment data, it became evident that the majority of FRHSD students are self- aware, socially aware and civic minded. Our students respect and accept others who may be different from them while encouraging their peers to achieve. Additionally, FRHSD students know and understand their strengths and challenges while aspiring to achieve future goals and plans. Moreover, our students proudly acknowledge that they follow rules and know the difference between right and wrong. By embracing a growth mindset, FRHSD students believe that they can reach success if they put forth the effort while maintaining a healthy self-esteem. As with many teenagers, FRHSD students have legitimate concerns about the demands that come with succeeding in high school as well as setting goals for post-secondary advancement. In fact, many students admitted to worrying about their school work and feeling anxious frequently. As a result of these concerns, students struggled to focus in school. While half of our students stated that they know how to handle stress, the other half struggle to cope with stress at varying levels. The majority of our students confessed that homework is a moderate or large source of stress. After taking a deeper dive on the effects of homework, 70% of students who are taking at least one or more honors or Advanced Placement level course admitted homework is a stressor. By comparison 55% of students taking non-honors level courses felt that homework is a moderate or large source of stress. We continue to evaluate programming and continue to work with our students to help them learn ways to cope and manage their stress. All FRHSD students in grades nine through twelve took the SEL survey again in March 2019 so the District can continue to monitor student needs while informing instructional practices in an effort to support them on their high school journey. Whole Child Student Growth and Learning We will inspire individual student We will deliver curriculum and goals through a safe, healthy, instruction that ensures the challenging, engaging and Strategic Plan development and growth of supportive learning environment. individual student goals. Core Areas Equity and Opportunity Community Partnerships We will maximize opportunities and We will engage our school access, and support students in community and external partners to their academic goals. provide authentic learning opportunities for students. 4 FRHSD Schools Innovative & Comprehensive Programs Comprehensive Educational Program The FRHSD offers a variety of programs to allow students to reach their highest academic potential and prepare them for success in achieving their post-secondary goals. Magnet Programs Our Magnet Programs continue to provide opportunities for students to engage in academic study related to their individual interests. We offer twelve Magnet Programs focused on particular topics, ranging from humanities and law to medical sciences and engineering. By joining one of these unique learning communities within our six high schools, students have access to advanced level courses, including Advanced Placement and college level classes. Students also engage in real - world activities with recognized experts in fields related to each program. Students in these programs distinguish themselves on the national and global stages. They earn millions of dollars in scholarships, place at the highest levels in competitions , and attend the nation’s best colleges, universities, and trade schools. This year, over 1,000 eighth graders applied to our Magnet Programs. Special Services The FRHSD is committed to the principles established by both the Individuals with Disabilities Educational