Southern Regional School District
Encyclopedia
The Southern Regional School District is a regional public school district in Ocean County
, New Jersey
, United States
, serving students in grades 7–12. The district serves the five municipalities in the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District
– Barnegat Light
(36 students), Harvey Cedars
(22 students), Long Beach Township
(124 students), Ship Bottom
(74 students) and Surf City
(71 students) – along with students from Beach Haven
(81 students) and Stafford Township
(2,023 students). Also attending the district are students from the sending district of Ocean Township
. The student body has grown in recent years in line with population growth in the area. The high school was forced to add a large addition in the mid-1990s due to overpopulation.
Barnegat has built its own high school in lieu of being a sending district and as of the 2007-08 school year has ninth through twelfth grades attending the new Barnegat High School
. With nearly 80% of the district's tax levy coming from residents of Long Beach Island
and its small school-age population, municipal officials in Beach Haven
and Long Beach Township
have considered studies to analyze a possible withdrawal from the district.
As of the 2008-09 school year, the district's two schools had an enrollment of 3,074 students and 227.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.5.
The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education
as being in District Factor Group "FG", the fourth 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.
, Barnegat, Waretown
, Tuckerton
, Little Egg Harbor, Eagleswood Township
, Bass River Township
, and all six towns of Long Beach Island
.
Prior to the opening of Southern Regional, students from Barnegat, Waretown, 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.
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. The school also caught fire two years later after an explosion occurred in the school's main electric panel. 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 house". 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. Barnegat High School became a full 9-12 high school in September 2007.
(AP) courses are offered in English, history, mathematics, science, art, music, and world languages. Technology-related courses, from the traditional to the highly technical (electronics, graphics and photography lab, computer assisted design, programming, and Internet), focus on problem solving, experimental design, and creativity.
The health and physical education program are electives, based with a strong emphasis on lifelong wellness and making intelligent lifestyle choices. 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.
) are:
Both schools in the district are in Manahawkin
, and are located next to each other, divided by the main road leading into the school zone. Upon entrance into the school zone, Southern's Middle School is located on the left and the high school is located on the right.
Ocean County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803 people per square mile . There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km²...
, 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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, serving students in grades 7–12. The district serves the five municipalities in the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District
Long Beach Island Consolidated School District
The Long Beach Island Consolidated School District is a regional consolidated public school district which serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade from five communities bordering the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island, in Ocean County, New Jersey...
– Barnegat Light
Barnegat Light, New Jersey
Barnegat Light is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 574. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island and is home to Barnegat Lighthouse....
(36 students), Harvey Cedars
Harvey Cedars, New Jersey
Harvey Cedars is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 337. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island....
(22 students), Long Beach Township
Long Beach Township, New Jersey
Long Beach Township is a Walsh Act Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 3,051....
(124 students), Ship Bottom
Ship Bottom, New Jersey
Ship Bottom is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 1,156. The borough is located on Long Beach Island and borders the Atlantic Ocean....
(74 students) and Surf City
Surf City, New Jersey
Surf City is a borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,205. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island....
(71 students) – along with students from Beach Haven
Beach Haven, New Jersey
Beach Haven is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States. The borough is located on Long Beach Island and borders the Atlantic Ocean...
(81 students) and Stafford Township
Stafford Township, New Jersey
-Transportation:Stafford is served by a few major roads. CR 539 passes through in the western part. U.S. Route 9 passes north-south through the center of the township and Route 72 is the main artery that passes from the northwest to the southeast...
(2,023 students). Also attending the district are students from the sending district of Ocean Township
Ocean Township, Ocean County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,450 people, 2,446 households, and 1,743 families residing in the township. The population density was 310.1 people per square mile . There were 2,981 housing units at an average density of 143.3 per square mile...
. The student body has grown in recent years in line with population growth in the area. The high school was forced to add a large addition in the mid-1990s due to overpopulation.
Barnegat has built its own high school in lieu of being a sending district and as of the 2007-08 school year has ninth through twelfth grades attending the new Barnegat High School
Barnegat High School
Barnegat High School is a comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Barnegat Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, operating as a part of the Barnegat Township School District....
. With nearly 80% of the district's tax levy coming from residents of Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island is a barrier island and summer colony along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States...
and its small school-age population, municipal officials in Beach Haven
Beach Haven, New Jersey
Beach Haven is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States. The borough is located on Long Beach Island and borders the Atlantic Ocean...
and Long Beach Township
Long Beach Township, New Jersey
Long Beach Township is a Walsh Act Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 3,051....
have considered studies to analyze a possible withdrawal from the district.
As of the 2008-09 school year, the district's two schools had an enrollment of 3,074 students and 227.5 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 13.5.
The district is classified 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...
as being in District Factor Group "FG", the fourth 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.
History
Southern Regional High School opened in 1957 as a junior-senior high school, housing students from Stafford TownshipStafford Township, New Jersey
-Transportation:Stafford is served by a few major roads. CR 539 passes through in the western part. U.S. Route 9 passes north-south through the center of the township and Route 72 is the main artery that passes from the northwest to the southeast...
, Barnegat, Waretown
Waretown, New Jersey
Waretown is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Ocean Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 1,582. Waretown is home to Albert Music Hall and 2009 Nobel Prize winner in Physics, George E...
, Tuckerton
Tuckerton, New Jersey
Tuckerton is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, named for founder Ebenezer Tucker , and was a port of entry, but not the third Port of Entry as commonly believed, in the United States As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 3,517.Tuckerton was incorporated as a borough...
, Little Egg Harbor, Eagleswood Township
Eagleswood Township, New Jersey
Eagleswood Township is a Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population had increased to a record high of 1,603....
, Bass River Township
Bass River Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,510 people, 548 households, and 409 families residing in the township. The population density was 19.9 people per square mile . There were 602 housing units at an average density of 7.9 per square mile...
, and all six towns of Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island is a barrier island and summer colony along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States...
.
Prior to the opening of Southern Regional, students from Barnegat, Waretown, 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.
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
Pinelands Regional High School
Pinelands Regional High School is a three-year regional public high school that serves students from four communities in tenth through twelfth grade from Ocean County, New Jersey, operating as part of the Pinelands Regional School District, which serves students from Bass River Township,...
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. The school also caught fire two years later after an explosion occurred in the school's main electric panel. 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 house". At the same time, the middle school went back to housing the seventh and eighth graders.
In 2004, the Barnegat High School
Barnegat High School
Barnegat High School is a comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Barnegat Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, operating as a part of the Barnegat Township School District....
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. Barnegat High School became a full 9-12 high school in September 2007.
Curriculum
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 ProgramAdvanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
(AP) courses are offered in English, history, mathematics, science, art, music, and world languages. Technology-related courses, from the traditional to the highly technical (electronics, graphics and photography lab, computer assisted design, programming, and Internet), focus on problem solving, experimental design, and creativity.
The health and physical education program are electives, based with a strong emphasis on lifelong wellness and making intelligent lifestyle choices. Project Adventure, an outdoor education program, and behind the wheel driver education are also offered. Additionally, Southern Regional has an “Honor Unit” Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
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.
Schools
Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education Statistics
The 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...
) are:
- Southern Regional Middle School had 1,020 students in grades 7 and 8
- Southern Regional High SchoolSouthern Regional High SchoolSouthern Regional High School is a regional public high school in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in grades 9 - 12 and operating as part of the Southern Regional School District. The school is located on of wooded land, upon which future projects are to be completed...
had 2,054 students in grades 9–12
Both schools in the district are in Manahawkin
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Manahawkin is a census-designated place and unincorporated area contained within Stafford Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. Manahawkin translates to 'land of good corn' although this has been disputed by recent scholars claiming that it translate to “fertile land sloping into...
, and are located next to each other, divided by the main road leading into the school zone. Upon entrance into the school zone, Southern's Middle School is located on the left and the high school is located on the right.
Administration
Core members of the district's administration are:- Craig Henry, Superintendent
- Lynn E. Shugars, Business Administrator / Board Secretary
External links
- Southern Regional School District
- Data for the Southern 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...