Upper Freehold Regional School District
State School report Card 2010-2011
The Upper Freehold Regional School District provides all students with a comprehensive learning environment in a nurturing and personalized setting. The district serves students
PreK – 12 students living in Allentown Borough, Upper Freehold Township, and Grades 9-12 from Millstone and Choice students from communities throughout the region. Our students participate in a wide range of programs, courses, co-curricular and extra curricular experiences and services created to address a full range of student interest and need. The entire school community values its unique heritage of fertile farmland, boroughs with historic homes and buildings, and housing developments of recent origin. The district is in the third year of a five year Strategic Plan designed to clearly articulate the mission, beliefs and goals of the Upper Freehold Regional School District community. All members of our learning community are inspired and highly motivated to work together for the common good of the children we share.
The district provides a variety of programs for students to extend and enrich their learning. Special efforts are made to promote a strong desire on the part of children to apply classroom experiences to active, real-life learning situations and to use technology as a critical tool to maximize their success as learners. The district’s reputation for excellence in the fine and performing arts, drama, and vocational programs is well deserved. The numerous opportunities for all students to participate in inter-scholastic, intramural, and club activities offers our children productive ways to use the time that surrounds their school day.
The Upper Freehold Regional School District is consistently working to provide students, teachers and staff with an optimal learning environment. The following success indicators represent initiatives that have proven to be effective in stimulating academic rigor and enhanced student achievement:
• Teachers are active participants in professional development seminars offered annually by administrators, faculty, master teachers, and visiting consultants as part of the district’s Professional Development Forum.
• Faculty and administration work as colleagues to examine data as the basis for making decisions about curriculum, instructional materials, and teaching techniques.
• Training for new teachers is offered throughout the academic year.
• Community members are active participants in the Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation.
• The elementary/middle school PTA organizes and funds numerous school activities, including educational assemblies, book fairs, family nights, as well as content based activities in the sciences, social studies, and humanities.
• Community members and school staff work together to promote excellence in the instruction of talented youth.
• Math and Writing Labs are in place at the high school to reinforce writing and math skills.
• Literacy instruction includes the use of writer’s and reader’s workshop and strategies developed by the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project •
• Over fourteen Advanced Placement Courses are offered at the high school, including AP Literature, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, and AP European History.
• Teachers infuse information literacy and career awareness into the curriculum.
• Strategic Planning Committees continue to expand options related to curriculum, facilities, extracurricular activities and special programs as the district moves to attain their vision of schools for the future.
•Widespread community support and enthusiasm centered on the new Stone Bridge Middle School opened in September 2010.
• Character Education Programs that promote Cooperation, Assertiveness, Respect/Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control.
• The Upper Freehold Regional School District Comprehensive Five-Year Technology Plan includes the expansion of a platform to support the website, enable online course presentation, and maximize the integration of SmartBoard technology in all classrooms.
• Special education inclusion services are offered throughout the district.
• TV production elective courses, taught by a highly trained specialist,
are offered at the high school.
• Curriculum maps for all areas of study. K-12 are in place and are revised on an ongoing basis.
• Students in the Agricultural Science program, a local initiative that is part of the state-wide Choices option, are consistently recognized at the State and National level for their high achievement as one of the finest FFA Chapters in New Jersey and the nation.
• The district’s Child Watch program offers an extended-day program of child care.
• The AHS Student Council was named second in the state of NJ for contributing over $8,500 to the State Student Council Charity “Spread the Magic.”
• The recognition our Redbird Robotics team received for their success in regional competitions.
• For the success in the “One School One Book” program at AHS.
• The large percentage of students achieving college credit for AP courses as a result of their performance on AP examinations.
• The commitment of the community to building and opening our new state-of-the-art Middle School offering students endless opportunities to maximize their learning, discover their talents, and apply technology in a meaningful way to problem solve and think differently.
For additional information relative to the programs, activities, and opportunities found in the Upper Freehold Regional School District please visit our website www.UFRSD.net and the Board of Education website at UFRBOE.net.
Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick
Superintendent of Schools
609.259.7292