Bridgewater-Raritan High School
Encyclopedia
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School (commonly BRHS) is a four-year comprehensive
public high school
. It is the single high school of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District
serving students from Bridgewater Township
and Raritan
in Somerset County
, New Jersey
, United States. The school has been recognized by the Blue Ribbon Schools Program
, the highest award an American school can receive.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,863 students and 235 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.18.
. In the late 1950s, Bridgewater-Raritan High School was constructed as Dr. Norman A. Gathany, the first principal, prepared the school for its first students. Increasing enrollments in the early 1960s led to the construction of a second high school, which was named Bridgewater-Raritan High School East (The Minutemen), while the original high school was renamed Bridgewater-Raritan High School West (The Golden Falcons). The schools operated separately until the early 1990s, when a downward cycle in enrollments led to their consolidation into a single high school. High School West was expanded and updated over a period of several years, during which all of the district's high school students attended what had been High School East. In 1995, the former High School West reopened as the new consolidated Bridgewater-Raritan High School, and High School East became the district's Middle School.
The mascot of BRHS is the panther. BRHS's school colors are black and silver, with red serving as an accent color. Recently there has been much debate over this matter among the student body and sports fans. The red in uniforms of the past has been mostly replaced by black, white and silver. The football, baseball, boys lacrosse, girls basketball, and various other teams have eliminated red from their uniforms. A minority of teams, including boys basketball and boys cross country, have continued use of red as an accent color.
The high school's football field is named "Basilone Field", named for John Basilone
, a World War II
recipient of the Medal of Honor
who grew up in Raritan. On the wall of the field house next to the field is a mural honoring Basilone.
The high school offers classes ranging from AP European history to Introduction to Culinary Arts.
In December, 2009 two minors, a 16 years old Bridgewater-Raritan student, and a 17 years old student from nearby Immaculata High School were arrested in connection with an alleged "Columbine
-like" plan to attack the school.
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
.
For the 1997-98 school year, Bridgewater-Raritan High School was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education
, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.
BRHS is one of only three high schools in the state of New Jersey
to have received both awards.
In the 2011 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post
, the school was ranked 36th in New Jersey and 1,190th nationwide. In Newsweek
's May 22, 2007 issue, ranking the country's top high schools, Bridgewater-Raritan High School was listed in 983rd place, the 29th-highest ranked school in New Jersey.
The school was the 67th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly
magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 91st in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was also ranked 83rd in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state. In previous years, the school had been ranked in the 20's in the same ranking. Following publication of the 2006 New Jersey Monthly article, the school's principal issued a public statement explaining changes in the magazine's ranking methods that altered the school's standing, and generally criticizing the ranking methodology.
. In the spring of 2008, the BRHS Chamber Choir performed Joseph Haydn's Kleine Orgelmesse with Masterwork Chorus and Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Andrew Megill at Drew University's Dorothy Young Center for the Arts.
2010 awards include:
The choral program is led by John Wilson.
BRHS Choir web-site
The orchestra program boasts high student enrollment and achievement. The ensembles annually approach serious orchestral literature, recently performing movements from Sibelius' Fifth Symphony. Past achievements include performing at Carnegie Hall
in March 2008 along with the school's Wind Ensemble. In competition, ensembles have received ratings of superior. There are two curricular orchestral ensembles, the Concert Orchestra and the auditioned Symphonic Orchestra.
The school's wind ensemble has performed in the State Gala concert numerous times within the past decade, with multiple performances in the featured evening portion. The high school's three jazz bands have become increasingly successful lately as well, with back to back state championships in 2006 and 2007. The school's second jazz band was seeded number two in the state's jazz circuit in 2006. Among the other programs offered at BRHS is the school's nationally recognized marching band. The Panthers have become the premier marching band in the USSBA circuit. They have won the New Jersey State Champion Overall title seven times in the last nine years (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). The marching band is a member of a group of six nationally recognized hubs for the organization Music for All, a Bands of America
affiliate. The marching band has also become a premier competitor in the Bands of America circuit, which is the nation's top marching band circuit. In 2006, the band was named 2006 Bands of America Mid-West Regional Champion for class AAA, sweeping all caption awards in their class and becoming the first New Jersey marching band to win a BOA Regional Championship. The band has also been a finalist in BOA Regionals at Hofstra University
(5th) and Towson, Maryland
(7th) in 2007, as well as Massillon, Ohio
(8th) and Towson, Maryland
(4th) in 2008,Towson, Maryland
(2nd) in 2009 and Norwin, Pennsylvania in 2011 (2nd). In 2008 at the Towson, Maryland regional, they were 3rd place in class AAA as well as recipient of the class AAA High Music Award. The band also won a regional victory in 2010 in Towson, Maryland
, winning 1st for class AAAA, and placing 3rd for finals. The band won first place in their class and overall score for the 2011 Yamaha Cup, earning all captions but Color Guard and Percussion.
The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Marching Band also attended BOA Grand National Championships in 2010 placing 34th out of the entire country.
club and a Forensics Speech and Debate Team. In the past, the Forensics team has had National Championship qualifiers, as well as numerous state champions and one national champion. The school also has an Academic team and Math League.
BRHS also is the home of Team 303 in the FIRST Robotics Competition
, Panther Robotics. At the 2007 FIRST Robotics Challenge World Championships in Atlanta, GA, Team 303 ranked 23 in their division out of the 1500+ teams from across the globe that had attended the event. At the 2010 New Jersey Regional Competition, Team 303 were semifinalists. In the 2011 season the team won both the New Jersey and Philadelphia Regional Competitions, and were division quarterfinalists at the championships in St. Louis.
The school's honor societies include the National Honor Society
and various language Honors Societies.
In the past decade, the high school has expanded its Peer Mediation program, training approximately 100 new mediators a year and student conflicts have followed a consistent downward trend since the program's inception.
The High School prides itself on a competitive mock trial
team which on a consistent basis makes it to the county playoffs in the annual tournament and achieved the Somerset County Title in 2005.
The Weightlifting Club is very large and elaborate. It includes over 60 trainees and several trainers. In the past there have also been BRHS delegations that participated in weightlifting and powerlifting competitions.
BRHS has two Envirothon
teams which operate through the school but are almost entirely student-run. They joined the competition in the 2006 season. In the 2008, BRHS expanded to include a second team. Later that year Team One finished first in the New Jersey division and earned 14th out of 55 in The Canon Envirothon (which includes teams from the U.S. and Canada). In the 2009 season, Team One earned 6th and Team Two earned 11th at the New Jersey regional.
In addition to the Envirothon team, BRHS has a Science Olympiad team which had placed 6th regionally at the Princeton University Regional Competition. At states, they placed at the top 20 teams in 2009. The club is run by students along with an adviser.
BRTV is a school television program, produced in the school's television studio, that goes out live on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The schedule is: Tuesday - Panther Power Plays; Wednesday - What's up Wednesdays; and Friday - BRHS News. Media Communications, an elective, also uses the studio.
, made up of public and parochial high schools covering Hunterdon County
, Somerset County
and Warren County
in west Central Jersey
, operating under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
.
The school was recognized as the Group IV winner of the NJSIAA ShopRite Cup in 2005-06. The award recognized the school for achieving a tie for 3rd in Girls Soccer, 1st in Boys Soccer, a tie for 3rd in Girls Volleyball, 2nd in Field Hockey, 1st in Boys Swimming, a tie for 3rd in Boys Lacrosse, 1st in Boys Tennis and 1st in Boys Volleyball.
Kristen Helmstetter recently broke the girl's basketball record for most points in her high school career, topping her coach's previous record with 1,476 career points.
The boys soccer team won the 2005 Group IV State Championship over Shawnee High School completing the best record the soccer team has ever seen with 23 wins and one loss, finishing the season with a ranking of second in the state and a national ranking of 24th.
In 2006, the boys soccer team repeated as Group IV North II Sectional Champions, defeating Elizabeth High School 3-0.
The boys volleyball won the 2005 State Championship over Clifton High School, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20.
The undefeated 1989 Girls Tennis team (when the school was Bridewater-Raritan East) won the 1989 Group IV state championship, the 1989 Somerset County Championship and the Midstate Conference Championship (in both 1988 and 1989). Coached by Bob Bernabe, the team was led by Jennifer Rotundo, Janet Chen and Laura Comi.
The boys tennis team won the 2005 North II, Group IV state sectional championship with a 4-1 win against Westfield High School
. The tennis team won the 2006 Group IV State Championship, defeating Cherry Hill High School East
3-2 in the semifinals and West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
3-2 in the finals to take the title.
The 2007 girls tennis team won the North II, Group IV state sectional championship with a 5-0 win over J. P. Stevens High School in the tournament final. The team moved on to win the Group IV State Championship with a 3-2 win over Montgomery High School in the semifinals and Bergen County Technical High School
in the finals by a 4-1 score.
The Boys Swimming team won the 2006 Public A State Championship over Cherry Hill High School West
with a score of 88-82, winning their first state championship after going into the final event in a tie. In back to back seasons in 2010 and 2011 the boys swim team took home the New Jersey state championship trophy, defeating Cherry Hill High School East
both years.
The Boys Wrestling team became three-time District Champs from 2003 to 2006
In 2007, the field hockey team won the North I, Group IV state sectional championship with a 2-0 win over Montclair High School in the tournament final.
The girls soccer team won the North II, Group IV state sectional championship in 2007 with a 2-1 win over Ridge High School
in the tournament final.
In 2003, the girls soccer team won the North II, Group IV state sectional championship with a win over Roxbury High School
and were Group IV state finalist.
The boys lacrosse team won the 2011 Tournament of Champions
with a 6-5 win over Summit Senior High School, marking the program's first state title and breaking Summit's 68 game winning streak.
Comprehensive high school
Comprehensive high schools are the most common form of public high schools in the United States and are meant to serve the needs of all students, as compared to the common practice in other nations in which examinations are used to sort students into different high schools for different populations...
public high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. It is the single high school of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District
Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District
The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is a regional public school district serving the municipalities of Bridgewater Township and Raritan Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. All of the school facilities are in Bridgewater, except for John F...
serving students from Bridgewater Township
Bridgewater Township, New Jersey
Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. , the township population was 44,464.Bridgewater Township was originally created by Royal Charter on April 4, 1749, from portions of the Northern precinct, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of...
and Raritan
Raritan, New Jersey
Raritan is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 6,881.-Geography:Raritan is located at ....
in Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. The school has been recognized by the Blue Ribbon Schools Program
Blue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
, the highest award an American school can receive.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,863 students and 235 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.18.
History and symbols
Until the 1950s, high school students from the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District attended Somerville High SchoolSomerville High School (New Jersey)
Somerville High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school of the Somerville Public Schools serving students from Somerville and Branchburg Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States....
. In the late 1950s, Bridgewater-Raritan High School was constructed as Dr. Norman A. Gathany, the first principal, prepared the school for its first students. Increasing enrollments in the early 1960s led to the construction of a second high school, which was named Bridgewater-Raritan High School East (The Minutemen), while the original high school was renamed Bridgewater-Raritan High School West (The Golden Falcons). The schools operated separately until the early 1990s, when a downward cycle in enrollments led to their consolidation into a single high school. High School West was expanded and updated over a period of several years, during which all of the district's high school students attended what had been High School East. In 1995, the former High School West reopened as the new consolidated Bridgewater-Raritan High School, and High School East became the district's Middle School.
The mascot of BRHS is the panther. BRHS's school colors are black and silver, with red serving as an accent color. Recently there has been much debate over this matter among the student body and sports fans. The red in uniforms of the past has been mostly replaced by black, white and silver. The football, baseball, boys lacrosse, girls basketball, and various other teams have eliminated red from their uniforms. A minority of teams, including boys basketball and boys cross country, have continued use of red as an accent color.
The high school's football field is named "Basilone Field", named for John Basilone
John Basilone
John Basilone was a United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II...
, a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
recipient of the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
who grew up in Raritan. On the wall of the field house next to the field is a mural honoring Basilone.
The high school offers classes ranging from AP European history to Introduction to Culinary Arts.
In December, 2009 two minors, a 16 years old Bridgewater-Raritan student, and a 17 years old student from nearby Immaculata High School were arrested in connection with an alleged "Columbine
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
-like" plan to attack the school.
Awards and recognition
During the 1999-2000 school year, Bridgewater-Raritan High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon SchoolBlue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
.
For the 1997-98 school year, Bridgewater-Raritan High School was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.
BRHS is one of only three high schools in the state of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
to have received both awards.
In the 2011 "Ranking America's High Schools" issue by The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, the school was ranked 36th in New Jersey and 1,190th nationwide. In Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
's May 22, 2007 issue, ranking the country's top high schools, Bridgewater-Raritan High School was listed in 983rd place, the 29th-highest ranked school in New Jersey.
The school was the 67th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly is a monthly glossy publication featuring issues of possible interest to residents of the United States state of New Jersey...
magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 91st in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was also ranked 83rd in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state. In previous years, the school had been ranked in the 20's in the same ranking. Following publication of the 2006 New Jersey Monthly article, the school's principal issued a public statement explaining changes in the magazine's ranking methods that altered the school's standing, and generally criticizing the ranking methodology.
Music
Bridgewater-Raritan High School is host to one of the state's most prestigious high school music programs. Its offerings include:Choir
The award-winning Bridgewater-Raritan High School choral program has developed a reputation for musical excellence. Ensembles compete and perform regularly, and are often awarded with superior ratings. There are three curricular choirs, the Women's Ensemble, Concert Choir, and auditioned Chamber Choir. There are two extra-curricular ensembles, the Men's Ensemble and the auditioned Lorelei women's ensemble. Choirs at BRHS often collaborate with other ensembles, most recently having performed the Mozart Requiem with the Central New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. In 2009, the Chamber Choir participated in a concert of Brazilian music at Westminster Choir CollegeWestminster Choir College
Westminster Choir College is a residential college of music, part of Rider University, located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States.Westminster Choir College educates men and women at the undergraduate and graduate levels for musical careers in music education, voice performance, piano...
. In the spring of 2008, the BRHS Chamber Choir performed Joseph Haydn's Kleine Orgelmesse with Masterwork Chorus and Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Andrew Megill at Drew University's Dorothy Young Center for the Arts.
2010 awards include:
- Best Overall High School Choir & Gold Rating, Lorelei Women's Ensemble, Music in the Parks Festival, Lakewood NJ
- 1st place Chamber Ensemble & Gold Rating, Chamber Choir, Music in the Parks Festival, Lakewood NJ
- Superior, Chamber Choir, New Jersey ACDA Choral Festival, Rutgers University
- Superior, Lorelei Women's Ensemble, ACDA Choral Festival, Rutgers University
- Gold Rating, Chamber Choir, Big Apple Classic Choral Festival, The College of Staten Island
- Gold Rating, Lorelei Women's Ensemble, Big Apple Classic Choral Festival, The College of Staten Island
The choral program is led by John Wilson.
BRHS Choir web-site
Orchestra
The orchestras travel the region attending various festivals and events, and is led by teacher Joseph Lalumia.The orchestra program boasts high student enrollment and achievement. The ensembles annually approach serious orchestral literature, recently performing movements from Sibelius' Fifth Symphony. Past achievements include performing at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
in March 2008 along with the school's Wind Ensemble. In competition, ensembles have received ratings of superior. There are two curricular orchestral ensembles, the Concert Orchestra and the auditioned Symphonic Orchestra.
Band
The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Band Program has established itself as one of the premiere high school band programs in the state and in the country, and is led by Larry Markiewicz and Gary Myer.The school's wind ensemble has performed in the State Gala concert numerous times within the past decade, with multiple performances in the featured evening portion. The high school's three jazz bands have become increasingly successful lately as well, with back to back state championships in 2006 and 2007. The school's second jazz band was seeded number two in the state's jazz circuit in 2006. Among the other programs offered at BRHS is the school's nationally recognized marching band. The Panthers have become the premier marching band in the USSBA circuit. They have won the New Jersey State Champion Overall title seven times in the last nine years (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). The marching band is a member of a group of six nationally recognized hubs for the organization Music for All, a Bands of America
Bands of America
Bands of America , a division of Music for All, Inc., is an organization that promotes and organizes marching band competitions for high school students. Competitions include both Regional and Super Regional Championships as well as the Grand National Championships...
affiliate. The marching band has also become a premier competitor in the Bands of America circuit, which is the nation's top marching band circuit. In 2006, the band was named 2006 Bands of America Mid-West Regional Champion for class AAA, sweeping all caption awards in their class and becoming the first New Jersey marching band to win a BOA Regional Championship. The band has also been a finalist in BOA Regionals at Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
(5th) and Towson, Maryland
Towson, Maryland
Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 at the 2010 census...
(7th) in 2007, as well as Massillon, Ohio
Massillon, Ohio
Massillon is a city located in Stark County in the U.S. state of Ohio, approximately 8 miles to the west of Canton, Ohio, 20 miles south of Akron, Ohio, and 50 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio. The population was 32,149 at the 2010 census....
(8th) and Towson, Maryland
Towson, Maryland
Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 at the 2010 census...
(4th) in 2008,Towson, Maryland
Towson, Maryland
Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 at the 2010 census...
(2nd) in 2009 and Norwin, Pennsylvania in 2011 (2nd). In 2008 at the Towson, Maryland regional, they were 3rd place in class AAA as well as recipient of the class AAA High Music Award. The band also won a regional victory in 2010 in Towson, Maryland
Towson, Maryland
Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 at the 2010 census...
, winning 1st for class AAAA, and placing 3rd for finals. The band won first place in their class and overall score for the 2011 Yamaha Cup, earning all captions but Color Guard and Percussion.
The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Marching Band also attended BOA Grand National Championships in 2010 placing 34th out of the entire country.
Extracurricular clubs
The high school currently has many ongoing clubs and activities, including a Model United NationsModel United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
club and a Forensics Speech and Debate Team. In the past, the Forensics team has had National Championship qualifiers, as well as numerous state champions and one national champion. The school also has an Academic team and Math League.
BRHS also is the home of Team 303 in the FIRST Robotics Competition
FIRST Robotics Competition
The FIRST Robotics Competition is an international high school robotics competition organized by FIRST. Each year, teams of high school students compete to build robots weighing up to , not including battery and bumpers, that can complete a task, which changes every year...
, Panther Robotics. At the 2007 FIRST Robotics Challenge World Championships in Atlanta, GA, Team 303 ranked 23 in their division out of the 1500+ teams from across the globe that had attended the event. At the 2010 New Jersey Regional Competition, Team 303 were semifinalists. In the 2011 season the team won both the New Jersey and Philadelphia Regional Competitions, and were division quarterfinalists at the championships in St. Louis.
The school's honor societies include the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
and various language Honors Societies.
In the past decade, the high school has expanded its Peer Mediation program, training approximately 100 new mediators a year and student conflicts have followed a consistent downward trend since the program's inception.
The High School prides itself on a competitive mock trial
Mock trial
A Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...
team which on a consistent basis makes it to the county playoffs in the annual tournament and achieved the Somerset County Title in 2005.
The Weightlifting Club is very large and elaborate. It includes over 60 trainees and several trainers. In the past there have also been BRHS delegations that participated in weightlifting and powerlifting competitions.
BRHS has two Envirothon
Envirothon
Envirothon is an annual environmentally themed academic competition held by the United States and Canada on a regional, state, and national level. It is sponsored by Canon, conservation districts, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Association of Conservation Districts...
teams which operate through the school but are almost entirely student-run. They joined the competition in the 2006 season. In the 2008, BRHS expanded to include a second team. Later that year Team One finished first in the New Jersey division and earned 14th out of 55 in The Canon Envirothon (which includes teams from the U.S. and Canada). In the 2009 season, Team One earned 6th and Team Two earned 11th at the New Jersey regional.
In addition to the Envirothon team, BRHS has a Science Olympiad team which had placed 6th regionally at the Princeton University Regional Competition. At states, they placed at the top 20 teams in 2009. The club is run by students along with an adviser.
BRTV is a school television program, produced in the school's television studio, that goes out live on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The schedule is: Tuesday - Panther Power Plays; Wednesday - What's up Wednesdays; and Friday - BRHS News. Media Communications, an elective, also uses the studio.
Athletics
Bridgewater-Raritan High School competes in the Skyland ConferenceSkyland Conference
The Skyland Conference is a New Jersey high school sports association under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association . The conference is made up of nineteen public and parochial high schools covering Hunterdon County, Somerset County and Warren County in west...
, made up of public and parochial high schools covering Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
, Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
and Warren County
Warren County, New Jersey
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 108,692. Its county seat is Belvidere...
in west Central Jersey
Central Jersey
Central Jersey is a common designation for a region of the state of New Jersey in the United States of America. Trenton is considered the boundary between designated "North Jersey" and "South Jersey"...
, operating under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...
.
The school was recognized as the Group IV winner of the NJSIAA ShopRite Cup in 2005-06. The award recognized the school for achieving a tie for 3rd in Girls Soccer, 1st in Boys Soccer, a tie for 3rd in Girls Volleyball, 2nd in Field Hockey, 1st in Boys Swimming, a tie for 3rd in Boys Lacrosse, 1st in Boys Tennis and 1st in Boys Volleyball.
Kristen Helmstetter recently broke the girl's basketball record for most points in her high school career, topping her coach's previous record with 1,476 career points.
The boys soccer team won the 2005 Group IV State Championship over Shawnee High School completing the best record the soccer team has ever seen with 23 wins and one loss, finishing the season with a ranking of second in the state and a national ranking of 24th.
In 2006, the boys soccer team repeated as Group IV North II Sectional Champions, defeating Elizabeth High School 3-0.
The boys volleyball won the 2005 State Championship over Clifton High School, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20.
The undefeated 1989 Girls Tennis team (when the school was Bridewater-Raritan East) won the 1989 Group IV state championship, the 1989 Somerset County Championship and the Midstate Conference Championship (in both 1988 and 1989). Coached by Bob Bernabe, the team was led by Jennifer Rotundo, Janet Chen and Laura Comi.
The boys tennis team won the 2005 North II, Group IV state sectional championship with a 4-1 win against Westfield High School
Westfield High School (New Jersey)
Westfield Senior High School, or simply, Westfield High School is the only public high school located in Westfield, in Union County, New Jersey, operating as part of the Westfield Public Schools. It was established in the early 1900s at its original location on Elm Street until 1951 when it was...
. The tennis team won the 2006 Group IV State Championship, defeating Cherry Hill High School East
Cherry Hill High School East
Cherry Hill High School East is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Cherry Hill Public Schools...
3-2 in the semifinals and West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Princeton Junction in Mercer County, New Jersey, serving students in Grades 9 through 12...
3-2 in the finals to take the title.
The 2007 girls tennis team won the North II, Group IV state sectional championship with a 5-0 win over J. P. Stevens High School in the tournament final. The team moved on to win the Group IV State Championship with a 3-2 win over Montgomery High School in the semifinals and Bergen County Technical High School
Bergen County Technical High School
Bergen County Technical High School, also known as Bergen Tech, or more commonly "BT", is a public high school serving students in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States...
in the finals by a 4-1 score.
The Boys Swimming team won the 2006 Public A State Championship over Cherry Hill High School West
Cherry Hill High School West
Cherry Hill High School West is a four-year comprehensive public high school, one of two traditional high schools located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Cherry Hill Public Schools. The other high school in the district is Cherry Hill High School East...
with a score of 88-82, winning their first state championship after going into the final event in a tie. In back to back seasons in 2010 and 2011 the boys swim team took home the New Jersey state championship trophy, defeating Cherry Hill High School East
Cherry Hill High School East
Cherry Hill High School East is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Cherry Hill Public Schools...
both years.
The Boys Wrestling team became three-time District Champs from 2003 to 2006
In 2007, the field hockey team won the North I, Group IV state sectional championship with a 2-0 win over Montclair High School in the tournament final.
The girls soccer team won the North II, Group IV state sectional championship in 2007 with a 2-1 win over Ridge High School
Ridge High School
Ridge High School is a four-year public high school serving students from Bernards Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Bernards Township School District...
in the tournament final.
In 2003, the girls soccer team won the North II, Group IV state sectional championship with a win over Roxbury High School
Roxbury High School
Roxbury High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in the Succasunna section of Roxbury Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Roxbury School District....
and were Group IV state finalist.
The boys lacrosse team won the 2011 Tournament of Champions
Tournament of Champions (NJSIAA)
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament of Champions is the sports tournament for New Jersey high schools that determines which high school will be crowned as the #1 overall team in the state for each sport...
with a 6-5 win over Summit Senior High School, marking the program's first state title and breaking Summit's 68 game winning streak.
Administration
Core members of the school's administration include:- Lew Ludwig - Interim Principal
- Dr. Mark Morrell - Assistant Principal, 9th Grade
- Roy Dragon - Assistant Principal, 10th Grade
- Michael Godown - Assistant Principal, 11th Grade
- James Argondizzo - Assistant Principal, 12th Grade
Notable alumni
- Paul Heck (born 1967), music producer and artist liaison for the Red Hot OrganizationRed Hot OrganizationRed Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
. - Matt KasselMatt KasselMatt Kassel is an American soccer midfielder who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:Kassel attended Bridgewater-Raritan High School...
(born 1989), midfielderMidfielderA midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for the New York Red Bulls in the MLS. - Eric MurdockEric MurdockEric Lloyd Murdock is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Utah Jazz in the 1st round of the 1991 NBA Draft....
(born 1968), former professional basketball player. - Scott SchwartzScott SchwartzScott Schwartz is a former child actor best known for his roles in The Toy and A Christmas Story.-Career:Schwartz co-starred opposite Richard Pryor and Jackie Gleason in 1982's The Toy directed by Richard Donner. In 1982, Schwartz filmed Kidco directed by Ronald F. Maxwell...
(born 1968), actor from The Toy and A Christmas StoryA Christmas StoryA Christmas Story is a 1983 American Christmas comedy film based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd, including material from his books In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. It was directed by Bob Clark...
. - Jeffrey VanderbeekJeffrey VanderbeekJeffrey Vanderbeek is the owner of the New Jersey Devils, a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League. Vanderbeek, a New Jersey native and Devils season ticket holder since the late 1980s, became a minority owner when Puck Holdings, an affiliate of YankeeNets, purchased the team in...
(born 1957), owner of the New Jersey Devils. - Tom WilsonTom Wilson (New Jersey)Tom Wilson is an American Republican Party leader who served as the chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee from 2004 to 2009.-Biography:...
(born 1967), chairman of the New Jersey Republican State CommitteeNew Jersey Republican State CommitteeThe New Jersey Republican State Committee is the affiliate of the Republican Party in New Jersey. The Committee was founded in 1880. The party is led by Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee Sam Raia of Saddle River, New Jersey.-Membership:...
from 2004 to 2009.
External links
- BRHS website
- Data for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- NJ.com NJ Somerset Schools Report Card 2004-2005