Colts Neck High School

Colts Neck High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Colts Neck Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in ninth through twelfth grades and operating as one of the six secondary schools of the Freehold Regional High School District.[6] The school is located at the corner of County Route 537 and Five Points Road. The school serves students from all of Colts Neck Township and from portions of both Howell Township and Marlboro Township.[7] The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 2008.[4]

Colts Neck High School
Front of school as seen from CR 537
Address
59 Five Points Road

Colts Neck Township
,
Monmouth County
,
New Jersey
07722

United States
Coordinates40.275134°N 74.210314°W / 40.275134; -74.210314
Information
TypePublic high school
Motto"Let the Tradition Begin"
Established1998
School districtFreehold Regional High School District
NCES School ID3405610[1]
PrincipalDr. Brian P. Donahue
Faculty94.0 FTEs[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,358 (as of 2018–19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio14.4:1[1]
Color(s)  Green
  Navy blue and
  Silver[2]
Athletics conferenceShore Conference[3]
Team nameCougars[2]
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools[4]
NewspaperThe Paw Print[5]
Websitewww.frhsd.com/Domain/8

As of the 2018–19 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,358 students and 94.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.4:1. There were 97 students (7.1% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 24 (1.8% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[1]

The school's mascot is the cougar,[2] which was chosen collectively by the student body in a competition. The school's motto is "Let The Tradition Begin."

Awards, recognition and rankings

The school was the 68th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.[8] The school had been ranked 103rd in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 80th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.[9] The magazine ranked the school 109th in the magazine's September 2008 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.[10]

Schooldigger.com ranked the school tied for 72nd out of 381 public high schools statewide in its 2011 rankings (an increase of 61 positions from the 2010 ranking) which were based on the combined percentage of students classified as proficient or above proficient on the mathematics (89.4%) and language arts literacy (96.7%) components of the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).[11]

Campus

Colts Neck High School is the only school in the district that is fully climate-controlled and is one of the largest schools in New Jersey consisting of two floors. The school underwent a large expansion in 2002 that increased the size of the building by roughly one third. The school has two gyms, the larger one being used for all varsity teams seating 3,000. The auditorium holds a total of about 1,750 people which is used for assemblies and the schools' arts program. There is also a transportable courtroom used by the Law and Public Service program and the Mock Trial team. The musicals and plays are also a very big part of the school and there is usually a great turnout for each performance. The school has over 75 acres (30 ha) of land that is used for its sports teams. The fields include soccer, track, football stadium and practice fields, lacrosse, and baseball fields. Other features include a large eight-mat wrestling room, five tennis courts, a large gymnastics room, four team rooms and film rooms, and a weight room.[12]

Magnet programs

There are two magnet programs that students attending the Freehold Regional High School District can apply for.

The Colts Neck High School NJROTC is a four-year course of study, which encompasses three main subject areas: Leadership, Naval Science, and Physical Training. The Leadership curriculum develops skills in study, time management, and personal leadership, as well as self-discipline and self-reliance. The roles and capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly sea power, shipboard life, national security and naval history are reviewed. Cadets learn military customs, courtesies, drills, ceremonies and respect for the flag, and develop a sense of patriotism through community and school service. The leadership value of fitness is reinforced with weekly physical training. This is an opportunity for students to develop leadership qualities in a nurturing and exciting environment. The cadets are also able to take part in unique and adventurous opportunities such as orienteering, drill, visiting naval bases, and many other activities.

Law and Public Service Learning Center

The Center for Law and Public Service, located at Colts Neck High School, is a four-year program for students with demonstrated interests and abilities in history, politics, government, law, volunteerism and leadership. Targeted skills for development include problem solving, critical thinking and reading, written and oral communication, research, and organization. The values of citizenship, justice, and service serve as the foundation for academic study. Students study history as it relates to the development of the US and the evolution of world societies and governments, as well as political thought, ethical philosophy, and leadership theory. Special attention is given to NJ history and civic affairs. Courses include: Honors Speech, Debate and Dramatic Arts Workshop, Honors World Literature and Writer's Workshop, Honors Comparative Civilizations, Honors American Literature and Research Workshop, AP Civitas, Honors U.S. History I, AP U.S. History, Honors Legal and Fiscal Theory, Honors Senior Seminar, and Honors Business and Contract Law.

Athletics

The Colts Neck High School Cougars[2] compete in Division B North of the Shore Conference, an athletic conference comprised of private and public high schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties along the Jersey Shore.[3][13] The league operates under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).[14] With 1,027 students in grades 10–12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group III for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 761 to 1,058 students in that grade range.[15] The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Group IV South for football for 2018–2020.[16] Since the school opened in 2001, it has won numerous state, sectional, county, conference, and division titles.

The school participates with Raritan High School in a joint ice hockey team in which Freehold High School is the host school / lead agency. The co-op program operates under agreements scheduled to expire at the end of the 2023–24 school year.[17]

Girls' soccer

In 2015, the girls' soccer team finished the season with a record of 24–0–1, winning the first Shore Conference title and the first state title for girls' soccer, defeating nationally top ranked Northern Highlands Regional High School by a score of 1–0 in the tournament final to win the Group III state championship.[18][19]

Girls' basketball

The girls' basketball program set a single season record for wins in 2009 and won the Group IV state championship, defeating Columbia High School by a score of 58–52 in the tournament final.[20][21] The team finished the season with a 29-4 record after losing in the finals of the Tournament of Champions by a score of 56–44 to St. John Vianney High School, which won their sixth Tournament of Champions title.[22] In 2008 they won the Shore Conference Tournament with a 55–47 win over Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in triple overtime, the first public high school to win the conference title since 1989.[23]

Girls bowling

The girls bowling team won the Group II state championship in 2019.[24][25]

Girls field hockey

The 2017 field hockey team won the North II Group III state sectional championship with a 2-0 victory against Freehold High School.[26][27]

Cross country / track & field

The cross country running and track program (in particular distance running) has been one of the school's most successful teams. The girls' cross country team has been nationally ranked three times, during the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons. The team also qualified for Nike Team Nationals in 2006 and finished 4th with Ashley Higginson (1st place), Briana Jackucewicz, Allison Donaghy, Kristen O'Dowd, Erin Donaghy, Allie Flott, Morgan Clark, and Allison Linnell (Linnell attended MAST.)[28] This 2006 girls' team had wins at the 2006 Shore Conference, Monmouth County, Central Jersey Group IV, NJ Group IV, and NJ Meet of Champions.[29] The cross country program also has produced three Foot Locker finalists (Briana Jackucewicz, Craig Forys, and Ashley Higginson).[30]

The girls have won state group team titles in Group I in 2000, in Group III in 2005 and 2016–2018, and in Group IV in 2006.[31]

The boys won the state Group III title in 2016.[32]

The indoor and outdoor track and field program has also been extremely successful having won six national titles, the boys indoor distance medley relay 2005, girls indoor 4 x 1-mile (1.61 km) Relay 2006 & 2007, boys indoor 2 mile (Craig Forys) 2007, girls indoor and outdoor 2 mile (Ashley Higginson) 2007. The track program also has produced numerous state champions and has held numerous state records, the most notable being the boys' 4 x 800 relay set in 2005 with a time of 7:39.54.[33] Craig Forys set the New Jersey State 3000 meters and two-mile (3.2 km) records and Ashley Higginson set the New Jersey State 2 mile, 5000 meter and 2000 meter steeplechase records.[34] The boys have won state group team titles in indoor track in Group III in 2016 and 2017.[35]

Boys' lacrosse

The boys lacrosse team won the 2015-2016 Public A North championship.

Boys' basketball

In the 2015–2016 season the boys' basketball team captured its first state title, defeating crosstown rival Freehold Township High School by a score of 45–44 in the Central Jersey Group IV tournament final.[36]

Boys' soccer

The team won the Group IV championship in 2000, defeating runner-up Whippany Park High School by a score of 4–2 in the tournament final.[37][38]

Administration

The school's principal is Dr. Brian P. Donahue. His core administration team includes two assistant principals.[39]

Other high schools in the district

Attendance at each of the district's high schools is based on where the student lives in relation to the district's high schools. While many students attend the school in their hometown, others attend a school located outside their own municipality.[7] In order to balance enrollment, district lines are redrawn for the six schools to address issues with overcrowding and spending in regards to transportation. The other five schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[40]) with their attendance zones for incoming students are:[41][42]

Notable alumni

References
  1. School data for Colts Neck High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
  2. Colts Neck High School, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  3. Shore Conference Realignment for 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, Shore Conference. Accessed November 15, 2020.
  4. Colts Neck High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed January 15, 2020.
  5. Home Page, The Paw Print. Accessed October 4, 2018.
  6. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Freehold Regional High School District, June 30, 2018. Accessed January 15, 2020. "Geographically, the District is comprised of the Townships of Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro and the Boroughs of Englishtown, Farmingdale and Freehold. Established in 1953, the District's total area is 198 square miles."
  7. FRHSD Attendance Boundaries; Which High School Will My Child Attend?, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed July 26, 2020. "The following is a list of streets, by municipality, that are assigned to a Freehold Regional District high school outside of their hometown."
  8. Staff. "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014", New Jersey Monthly, September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.
  9. Staff. "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2012. Accessed September 23, 2012.
  10. "Top New Jersey High Schools 2010: By Rank", New Jersey Monthly, September 2010, Accessed September 1, 2010.
  11. New Jersey High School Rankings: 11th Grade HSPA Language Arts Literacy & HSPA Math 2010-2011, Schooldigger.com. Accessed February 27, 2012.
  12. Seacoast Builders Corporation: Colts Neck High School Archived 2008-02-11 at the Wayback Machine, Seacoast Builders Corporation. Accessed February 15, 2008.
  13. Member Schools, Shore Conference. Accessed November 15, 2020.
  14. League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  15. NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  16. NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2018–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, finalized August 2019. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  17. NJSIAA Winter Cooperative Sports Programs, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed December 1, 2020.
  18. NJSIAA History of Girls Soccer, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  19. Christie, Sherlon. "Girls Soccer: Colts Neck stuns Northern Highlands, No. 1 team in USA", Asbury Park Press, December 10, 2015. Accessed December 14, 2016. "The Colts Neck girls soccer team completed the most improbable season in the history of New Jersey girls soccer.... Beat the No. 1 high school girls soccer team in the USA while winning your school's first NJSIAA Group III state title and complete an undefeated season in the process. Well, that's immortality."
  20. NJSIAA Girls Basketball Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  21. Williams, Tony. "CHS Girls Fall to Colts Neck A 58-52 loss in Toms River ends the season for the Cougars.", South Orange, NJ Patch, March 16, 2009. Accessed November 16, 2020. "The Columbia girl's basketball season came to a bitter end, Sunday, after a close 58-52 loss to Colts Neck, in the NJSIAA Group IV State Championship. Spearheaded by 23 points apiece from Lauren Clarke and the West Virginia-bound Brooke Hampton, the Colts Neck Cougars (27-3) used mini second-half spurts and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to knock off the Columbia Cougars (22-5)."
  22. Stephenson, Colin. "St. John Vianney defeats Colt's Neck, 56-44, to win Girls' Tournament of Champions for the sixth time", The Star-Ledger, March 23, 2009. Accessed June 27, 2011.
  23. Morris, Tim; and McKenzie, Doug. "Colts Neck captures first Shore Conference crown", News Transcript, February 27, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2020. "In a memorial semifinal that matched two teams that were too stubborn to give in and too proud to lose, the Cougars won a triple-overtime marathon, 55-47, over Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School.... 'We felt that the fast play was in our favor,' said Truhan, whose team became the first public school to win the SCT since Neptune in 1989."
  24. History of NJSIAA Girls Bowling Championships, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  25. Tartaglia, Greg. "A 'great' day lifts Toms River North to second straight NJSIAA girls bowling crown", Asbury Park Press, February 11, 2019. Accessed December 30, 2020. "The Shore Conference swept every trophy, with the runner-up Patriots (2,678) winning Group 3. They, Group 2 Colts Neck (2,500) and Group 1 St. John Vianney (2,207) all earned their first state titles."
  26. History of NJSIAA Field Hockey Championships, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  27. Pierce, Les. "Colts Neck Field Hockey Captures First Ever State Title", Colts Neck Journal, January 12, 2018. Accessed December 30, 2020. "Colts Neck captured the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 NJSIAA State Sectional championship via a 2-0 win over crosstown rival Freehold Borough. The Colonials arrived on the field as the defending champions, but the Cougars seemed unimpressed and took control of the play early on."
  28. Northeast Region Week 11 rankings, dated November 3, 2006.
  29. Newman, Josh. "Joe Lykes, Colts Neck, girls' cross country" Archived March 26, 2012, at Archive.today, Asbury Park Press, December 9, 2006. Accessed June 27, 2011. "Colts Neck picked up wins at the Monmouth County, Shore Conference, Central Jersey Group IV and Group IV championship and the Meet of Champions."
  30. Bloom, Marc. "High School Running; Great Expectations Come in Threes", The New York Times, November 20, 2005. Accessed January 16, 2020.
  31. NJSIAA Girls Cross Country State Group Champions, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  32. NJSIAA Boys Cross Country State Group Champions, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  33. Boys' high school top performers: 2005 rankings, USA Today, accessed March 17, 2007
  34. Morris, Tim. "Cougars' Forys smashes three state records in single race" Archived August 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, News Transcript, May 9, 2007. Accessed August 3, 2008.
  35. NJSIAA Indoor Group Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 1, 2020.
  36. Christie, Sherlon. "Boys Hoops: Colts Neck's Brendan Clarke hits shot of a lifetime", Asbury Park Press, March 7, 2016. Accessed October 22, 2019. "Clarke’s shot of a lifetime gave No. 2 seed Colts Neck a 45–44 victory over No. 4 seed Freehold Township in the NJSIAA Central Group IV final on Monday night, earning Colts Neck’s first sectional title for the boys basketball program."
  37. NJSIAA History of Boys Soccer, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  38. Holt, Bryan. "A Group of Champions", Asbury Park Press, November 30, 2000. Accessed November 16, 2020. "In just its second season of existence, the Colts Neck boys soccer team made a magical run through the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs, concluding the season with the Group I state title.... The Cougars captured the Group I title Nov. 18 with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Whippany Park at Kean University."
  39. Administration, Colts Neck High School. Accessed July 26, 2020.
  40. School Data for the Freehold Regional High School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
  41. Our Schools, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed January 15, 2020.
  42. New Jersey School Directory for the Freehold Regional High School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 29, 2016.
  43. Freehold High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed January 15, 2020.
  44. Howell High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed January 15, 2020.
  45. Howell High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed January 15, 2020.
  46. Manalapan High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed January 15, 2020.
  47. Manalapan High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 30, 2016. "Manalapan High School is a fully accredited comprehensive high school serving a community of nearly 39,000 residents living primarily in the Township of Manalapan and the Borough of Englishtown."
  48. Marlboro High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed January 15, 2020.
  49. Curtis, Charles. "Marlins' Anthony DeSclafani, N.J native and Colts Neck HS grad, makes MLB debut", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 15, 2014, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2020. "Anthony DeSclafani, who grew up in Howell, N.J. and graduated from Colts Neck High School, had a little bit of pressure on him: He was the pitcher called up Wednesday to replace Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, who was done for the season and had Tommy John surgery on the horizon."
  50. "Former Colts Neck star Ashley Higginson, one of the top steeplechasers in the nation, spoke to Hillsborough cross-country team", The Star-Ledger, September 5, 2014, updated August 25, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2020. "This past Tuesday, NJ distance running legend Ashley Higginson, who starred at Colts Neck High and Princeton University, spoke to the girls cross-country team at Hillsborough about her journey."
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