Hopewell Valley Central High School

Infobox_School | name = Hopewell Valley Central High School


imagesize =
motto =
established =
grades = 9 - 12
district = Hopewell Valley Regional School District
type = Public high school
principal = Michael Daher
viceprincipal = Dr. Ida Chiaradia
Lyndell Davis
enrollment = 1,152 (as of 2005-06)
faculty = 83.3 (on FTE basis)
ratio = 13.8
teamname = Bulldogs
conference = Colonial Valley Conference
colors =
publication =
location = 259 Pennington-Titusville Road
Pennington, NJ 08534
information = 609-737-4003
website = [http://www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/chs/home/index.htm School website]

Hopewell Valley Central High School is an American four-year comprehensive regional public high school, serving students from three communities in Mercer County, New Jersey, as part of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District. The municipalities that are part of this district are Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township and Pennington Borough. Although the high school has a Pennington mailing address, it is [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=259+Pennington+Titusville+Rd,+Pennington,+NJ+08534&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=40.327833,-74.803333&spn=0.015671,0.053558&om=1&iwloc=addr located within the political boundaries of Hopewell Township,] just outside Pennington Borough.

As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,152 students and 83.3 classroom teachers (on a FTE basis, for a student-teacher ratio of 13.8. [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3407530&ID=340753003136 Hopewell Valley Central High School] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 1, 2007.]

Profile

The Hopewell Valley Central High School credo is that the school is a “high-performing, high-achieving school with a soul.” HVCHS encourages and fosters partnerships between teachers, students, parents, and the community. The Municipal Alliance and Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth play a key role in the “Culture of Respect.” Students are involved in service organizations with community outreach programs. Fact|date=October 2007

Hopewell Valley Central High School provides a curriculum that is broad, diversified and comprehensive, allowing students to structure their own challenges. HVCHS encourages high expectations and achievement. Fact|date=October 2007

The Class of 2004’s average SAT scores of Verbal 560 and Math 578 were significantly higher than state and national averages. The Class of 2004 SAT participation rate of 89% reflects an inclusive approach to testing. In 2002, SAT II subject area tests were taken in 8 subjects. Students performed exceptionally well in Physics (694 mean score) and Math IIC (682 mean score). On Advanced Placement Program (AP) exams, 121 students took 218 exams, with 89% of the exams receiving 3 or better (out of 5).

The Class of 2004 had three National Merit Scholarship Program Finalists, twelve commended scholars, and one National Achievement Scholarship Qualifier. Our high-performing, high-achieving students are well-rounded. The breadth and diversity of courses prepare HVCHS students for the future, providing a broad background in technology, visual, performing and practical arts, and a solid academic grounding. Fact|date=October 2007

Academic Highlights

• Science:The HVCHS Envirothon Team placed first in the 11th Annual New Jersey Envirothon Competition at the School of Conservation in Stokes State Forest. The team then represented the state of New Jersey and placed third in the National Envirothon held at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In addition, two Chemagination teams placed first in two different categories in the regional competition and are competing in the national competition. Fact|date=October 2007

• Language Arts:Several HVCHS students have won prestigious awards this year such as the Brown Book Award, the Bryn Mawr Book Award, the Williams Book Award, and one of two awards at the McCarter YouthInk! playwriting competition. Fact|date=October 2007

Visual & Performing Arts

Performing Arts

The high school music program is on an upward trend. It has been twice named a finalist in the Grammy Foundation's Grammy Signature Schools program. In 2004, the program was named to the American Music Conference's list of the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America". [ [http://www.amc-music.org/musicmaking/schools/survey/communitieslist.htm Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America, 2004] , accessed August 18, 2006.] Despite these recognitions, the Board of Education, in 2005, eliminated 1½ music teacher positions from the elementary and middle schools to alleviate a budget shortfall. This cut happened with little fanfare or protest from the community although it is expected to negatively impact the quality of the music program for some time to come. The board and administration in 2006 cut another 1 full-time equivalent music teacher position from the elementary schools; this cut eliminates elementary school string instrument instruction, and, as such, is expected to negatively impact the quality of the string orchestra program.Fact|date=October 2007

In regional and national competitions, the band, choir, and orchestra have been recognized for excellence. Most notably, the choir program has received top ratings at these festivals since 2002 and was selected for the 2006 National Choral Invitational Festival of Gold in New York City. Recently, the choirs were treated to a one-week workshop with renowned choral composer Stephen Hatfield. Fact|date=October 2007

There is a three-year, sequential, curricular program in theater arts offered at the high school. Fact|date=October 2007

Graduates of Hopewell's Performing Arts programs have gone on to major in the various performing arts fields at St. Olaf College, New York University's Steinhardt Conservatory of Music and Tisch School of the Arts, Oberlin College, Indiana University, Berklee College of Music, Westminster Choir College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, McGill University's Schulich School of Music, Rutgers University and Mason Gross School of the Arts. Fact|date=October 2007

Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Department is comprehensive and sequential and its curriculum culminates in the various AP art courses. Student artists have received accolades for works in various local, state, and national art shows as they successfully placed first, second, and third in these juried art show competitions.

Extracurricular activities

Athletics

The Hopewell Valley Central High School Bulldogs compete in the Colonial Valley Conference, which consists of public and private high schools located in Mercer County, Monmouth County and Middlesex County, New Jersey, under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).

HVCHS students participate in an extensive range of extracurricular programs. Over 60% of students participate in Athletics. Fact|date=October 2007 The athletic program offers 22 sports.

In 2003-2004 Hopewell Valley Central High School teams won six Patriot Division Championships, two Mercer County Championships, and the Group II Winter Track Relay State Championship. Championship teams included Boys Cross Country, Girls Soccer, Girls Tennis, Girls Basketball and Girls Track and Field. In addition, the CHS 4X4 relay team won the championship at the 2003 Penn Relays. The 2006 Girls' softball team won the Mercer County Tournament. Fact|date=October 2007

The 2005 Varsity Soccer Team went were co-champions of Mercer County, went undefeated in the CVC, won their division, won the Group III Sectional Title with a 2-1 win over Monroe Township High School [ [http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=127444&tclass=Central%2C%20Group%20III 2005 Boys Soccer - Central, Group III] , NJSIAA. Accessed May 24, 2007.] and lost 3-2 in overtime to Ocean City High School in the State Semi-Finals. [ [http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=127444&tclass=Public%20Semis%2FFinals 2005 Boys Soccer - Public Semis/Finals] , NJSIAA. Accessed May 24, 2007.] They were ranked 13th in the state at the end of the year. Matt Lanouette and Andrew Juiliano received Second Team All-State recognition.

But perhaps arguably the best Varsity Soccer Team in school history, aside from the 1985 State Champion Team led by Mark Gola, was the 2001 State Runner-up Team which went 21-2-1. The team was led by an array of players who gave equal and consistent contribution throughout the season. Steve Berei, Donald Giovacchinni, and Emeka Ogbonna received All-State honors. Fact|date=October 2007

The Men's Cross Country Team went undefeated in Mercer County, won the Mercer County Championship, won the Central Jersey State Championship, and placed second at the Group 3 State Meet. The Women's Cross Country Team also went undefeated in the county, placed second in the Mercer County Championship, and was first at the Central Jersey State Championship. Fact|date=October 2007

The 2007 girls lacrosse team South, Group II state sectional championship with a 15-7 win over Camden Catholic High School. [ [http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=222215&tclass=South%2C%20Group%20II 2007 Girls Lacrosse - South, Group II] , NJSIAA. Accessed July 22, 2007.]

Football

For 70 years, Hopewell Valley had no high school football team. A ballot referendum to begin a football program was voted down by a 2-1 margin in the 2001 school elections. The following year, a parent organization raised funds and privately funded the program. The school board gradually assumed full financial responsibility. The issue was a hot button among local voters. [cite news |title=Lining Up on Opposite Sides of the Football, but in the Same Town|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E03EFDC133DF93BA2575BC0A9649C8B63 |work=The New York Times |publisher= |date=August 18, 2002 |accessdate=2008-01-16 ] [cite news |title=Finally Ready for Some Football; N.J. School Has Waited 70 Years |work=The Washington Post|date=August 25, 2002 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-382337.html |accessdate=2008-01-16 ]

However, the Bulldogs were able to successfully start their season after 70 years without football. Their 2004 season ended with an 0-10 record. The next year they improved to 1-9. The 2006 season was had the Bulldogs going 3-6, and tying for the Colonial Valley Conference Patriot Division title with Ewing High School and West Windsor Plainsboro North. The 2007 season was the most successful for a Hopewell Varsity football team, going 5-4, and again tying for the Patriot Division title.Fact|date=January 2008

Clubs and organizations

Students at HVCHS are able to become involved in school clubs and organizations. Clubs and activities are focused on artistic, athletic, academic, and special interest areas.

Awards and recognition

In "Newsweek's" May 22, 2007 issue, ranking the country's top high schools, Hopewell Valley Central High School was listed in 1239th place, the 42nd-highest ranked school in New Jersey. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18757087/?sort=State&count=1257&search=&start=700&limit=100&year=2007& "The Top of the Class: The complete list of the 1,200 top U.S. schools"] , "Newsweek", May 22, 2007. Accessed May 24, 2007.]

The school was the 39th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 314 schools statewide, in "New Jersey Monthly" magazine's September 2008 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools". The school was ranked 59th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which included 316 schools across the state. [ [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/highschoolrankings/top-new-jersey-high-schools-by-rank.html "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank"] , "New Jersey Monthly", September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.]

Administration

Core members of the school's administration include: [ [http://www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/chs/home/Faculty_and_Staff/faculty_and_staff.htm Faculty and Staff] , Hopewell Valley Central High School. Accessed October 17, 2007.]
*Michael Daher - Principal
*Lyndell Davis - Vice Principal
*Dr. Ida Chiaradia - Vice Principal

Notable alumni

*Val Ackerman (born 1959), class of 1977, best known for being the first president of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), serving from 1996-2005. [ [http://www.princetoninfo.com/200510/51026s01.html "Leading the Way in Women's Sports"] , "U.S. 1 Newspaper", October 26, 2005. Accessed August 26, 2007. "Today this 1977 graduate of Pennington's Hopewell Valley Central High School is the president of USA Basketball - the national federation responsible for the selection, training, and fielding of U.S. teams that compete in international basketball competitions, including the Olympics, and for some national competitions."]
*Michael Briehler (class of 2002), male model and alternate Gladiator on American Gladiators. [Fitzsimmons, Jim. (June 1, 2002) [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3697/is_200206/ai_n9097379 "ASK A BUSY PERSON: Michael D. Briehler"] , "Mercer Business". Accessed July 22, 2002.]
*Gregory S. Glasson (born 1974), class of 1993, bass player most notably known for his work with Grammy award winning artist Seal both live and in the studio. [Rebecca Hamm. " [http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/GJNEWS_01/540961794 Locals to jam with Seal in Las Vegas] ", "Foster's Daily Democrat", January 16 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/chs/home/index.htm Central High School web pages]
* [http://www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us Hopewell Valley Regional School District]
*NJReportCard|21|2280|0|Hopewell Valley Regional School District
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3407530 Data for the Hopewell Valley Regional School District] , National Center for Education Statistics