- Communications High School
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Communications High School 
Location 1740 New Bedford Road
Wall, NJ 07719Information Type Magnet public high school Established 2000 School district Monmouth County Vocational School District Principal James Gleason Faculty 28 (on FTE basis)[1] Grades 9–12 Enrollment 283 (as of 2009–10)[1] Student to teacher ratio 10.11[1] Hours in school day 6 Hours, 45 Minutes Color(s) Navy Blue, Silver Newspaper 'Inkblot' Website School website Communications High School (CHS) is a four-year magnet public high school and career academy as part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District in New Jersey. CHS is located in Wall Township next to Wall High School. The school opened in 2000 with its first freshman class, and graduated its first class in 2004. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools since 2004.[2]
As of the 2009–10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 283 students and 28 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.11.[1]
Contents
Awards and achievements
- In 2005–06, the school averaged a 1888 combined SAT score, fifth highest of all public high schools statewide.[3]
- Principal James Gleason was awarded a Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in October 2007.[4]
- In 2008, the school was awarded the Silver Medal for Broadcast News Production at the annual National Leadership and Skills Conference and SkillsUSA Championships.[5]
- In 2011, CHS took home 12 state-wide titles at the New Jersey SkillsUSA Championships, including Gold in Broadcast News Production, Audio Radio Production, Video Product Development, and Web Design.
- In 2011, CHS took home three national titles from the annual Student Television Network convention in Orlando, FL- second in Overall Broadcast, second Short Film, and first in Weather Reporting.
Mission statement
"Communications High School, a small, personalized academy with a career focus, provides a theme-based integrated curriculum in conjunction with community and industry partnerships. Monmouth County students interested in the field of communications acquire knowledge, skills, and ethics in a unique and challenging educational environment."[6]
Admissions
All admissions are through the Monmouth County Vocational School District administration offices. They accept 80 applicants via a highly competitive points system. The total amount of points possible is 100 and the minimum to be considered is 75. The point scoring is as follows:
- 7th Grade Academic Scores (All four marking periods): 15 points
- 8th Grade Academic Scores (Only first marking period): 15 points
- Math Portion on Admissions Exam: 35 points
- LA Portion on Admissions Exam: 35 Points.
CHS accepts the top ranking student from each school district. After the 1st round, all left over positions go to the highest scoring applicants from every school district. There are, generally, no more acceptances after this, as there is overenrollment in anticipation that some students will not accept the invitation.
Academics
CHS is the building in the lower part of the image.
Classes operate on block scheduling. Each day is divided into 4 class periods and a lunch/activity period. The classes run for 85 minutes each. The lunch/activity period is placed between periods 2 and 3, and lasts for approximately 1 hour. Students eat lunch and participate in school clubs during that time period.
The school year is divided into two semesters. Students will attend a 5 credit class 5 times a week for one semester. Classes worth 2.5 credits will be attended every day for half the semester and then swapped with another class half way through the semester; classes worth 2.5 credits are rarely given every other day. Students who pass every class will acquire 40 credits each school year. Students must have 160 credits in order to graduate. However, the state of New Jersey only requires 120 credits to graduate from high school.
CHS requires that students explore many options during their first two years at the school. The only language offered at CHS is Spanish, and students must take at least 3 courses of the language. Students are required to take 4 years of Math, English, History, and Science. Gym and Health classes are required every year, but seniors must fulfill class requirements outside of the school setting.
Junior and senior year
Junior year students must take:
- English III
- US History II
- Chemistry
- Spanish III or IV
- Algebra II/Trig or Pre-Calculus
- Health III/Fitness
- Media Writing
Also, students must choose 2 electives form the following:
- Animation
- Digital Video II
- Intermediate TV/Audio Broadcasting, also known as Broadcast News Production
- Photojournalism
- Illustration and Design
- Web Design
- Introduction to Computer Programming with Java
- Character Animation
All senior students must take:
- English IV (Creative Writing)
- Research Paper
- History through Film
- Pre-Calculus or Calculus
- Advanced Physics, Biology, or Forensics
- Mentorship (See below)
- Public Relations
- Fitness/Health
Also, seniors must take 3 electives either from junior year or from the following:
- Advanced Digital Video (Electronic Field Production)
- Advanced TV/Radio (Advanced Studio Production)
- Advanced Digital Imaging
- Advanced Graphic Design
- E-Commerce
- Advanced Web Design
- Statistics
- Spanish IV or V
- Advanced Journalism
Seniors are also required to fulfill a mentorship. For one quarter of the school year, students spend periods 3 and 4 at the mentorship site of their choice. Mentorship sites in the past have included the Asbury Park Press, Lab Volt, architectural firms, graphic design firms, and schools. Students have freedom choosing where they are mentored, but it must be related to the communications field.
Student activities
Student activities include the Drama club, National Honor Society, Digital Video Club, Photography Club, Broadcast Club, and the Newspaper Club, which produces the school newspaper Inkblot.
Other career academies
There are four other career academies in the Monmouth County Vocational School District. These are referred to as sister schools.[7]
- Academy of Allied Health & Science (AAHS) in Neptune Township
- Biotechnology High School (BTHS) in Freehold
- High Technology High School (HTHS) in Lincroft
- Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) in Sandy Hook
References
- ^ a b c d Communications High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed September 2, 2011.
- ^ Communications High School of Monmouth County, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools. Accessed September 2, 2011.
- ^ 2005–06 School Test Score Rankings, The Star-Ledger. Accessed June 19, 2007.
- ^ James Gleason, Principal: 2007, Milken Family Foundation. Accessed September 2, 2011.
- ^ CHS wins a National Medal!, SkillsUSA, June 30, 2008. Accessed September 2, 2011.
- ^ Communications High School, accessed December 20, 2006.
- ^ Full-Time Specialized Schools, Monmouth County Vocational School District. Accessed September 2, 2011.
External links
- Communications High School
- Monmouth County Vocational School District official website
- The Inkblot School Newspaper Online
- Monmouth County Vocational School District's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Monmouth County Vocational School District, National Center for Education Statistics
Coordinates: 40°10′10″N 74°03′46″W / 40.16951°N 74.062911°W
Categories:- Educational institutions established in 2000
- High schools in Monmouth County, New Jersey
- Magnet schools in New Jersey
- Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools
- Monmouth County Vocational School District School
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