The+Context+of+the+School

=Burlington Township High School= [| EBD Context of the School_Final Document.doc]


 * The Context of the School**

In the early 1960’s, the town of Burlington realized it had to address the children of the “baby boom generation” reaching high school age. The existing Burlington City High School could not possibly accommodate the exploding high school population and the solution was the birth of Burlington Township High School.

A 1962 bond was voted on and passed, farmland was procured at the corner of Fountain Avenue and Jacksonville Road and plans were made. The community was mixed with professionals, businessmen and working class families comfortably in cohabitation. Of course, the close relationship of the Burlington region was being tested because divisions were made. The projected opening was the fall of 1964.

The building was completed, without an auditorium, and opened on schedule in September 1964. The school was populated with approximately 650 students, which were 90 % white, 9 % black and 1% other. The school offered a traditional college prep, clerical/ business and general education curriculum. It also included a very small Special Education department. The faculty consisted of 67 teachers. There was one principal and one vice principal, both Burlington City transplants, along with a few of the faculty. The first graduating class was in 1966 and the class of 1968 was the first to complete four full years at Burlington Township High School. Due to the projected growth of the community, another hallway, the back gyms and the auto shop were added to the building in the late 1960’s.

As the 1970’s arrived with its social movements and cultural changes, Burlington Township reflected these changes. Through 1975, the school population remained the same with each class having between 110-120 students. An infusion of upwardly mobile minorities, mostly African-American, brought our population ratio to 70% white, 29% black and 1% other, mostly Asian. Policies were changed with the abolition of the dress code for both students and teachers. More freedom of expression was permitted. The voice of Student Government was expanded and more minority teachers and studies were added. The newest, most dynamic club, S.U.R.E. (Students United for Racial Equality) was established to help the school population handle the changes that were happening around them.

The late 1970’s saw an increase in the student body to almost 900 students and a dramatic increase in minority students to 35% of the total school population. These years brought the first influx of Indian, Turkish, and Vietnamese students, thus the first ESL classes began in the day school program and evening ESL classes were added for adults.

The 1980’s brought another significant change in the high school. In 1981, the school population dropped to 547 students, no new faculty was added and the first talks of RIF (Reduction in Force) became a certainty. The financial “belts” were being tightened. Elective courses were being evaluated to determine necessity and many assistant coaching positions were eliminated. In spite of the budgetary restrictions, however, 80% of the student body went on to colleges or trade schools and more than 80% of the students were involved in sports or other extra curricular activities. The vast majority of the faculty took on the roles of coaches, club advisors and class advisors, in addition to their teaching assignments, to insure that our students received the best high school experience possible. This willingness to pitch in and do what is necessary to meet the needs of students continues to be the culture at the high school.

In 1989 and 1990 the school had one of its smallest graduating classes, less than 90 students. The faculty was reduced to 77 teachers. This was the trend for the next four years.

In 1994, a new principal and vice principal were hired. The new regime brought in a new concept that only one other school in New Jersey instituted, block scheduling in a semester setting. An extensive training program was implemented and within 2 years, the school was the first public school in South Jersey to transition to this type of schedule. Teachers were trained in how to utilize and implement cooperative learning activities and developed a “toolbox” of strategies for engaging students in the learning process. This schedule also provided 80-minute teacher planning periods and smaller 40-minute blocks for lunches. The school was enrolled in High Schools That Work (HSTW), a school reformation model that would support the school in its initiative to improve student achievement. Each summer, groups of teachers were sent to the HSTW national conference to gather ideas and strategies that could be implemented into the school’s operations and classrooms. With this initiative, ongoing professional development opportunities were created to allow the staff to incorporate best educational practices in their classroom instruction.

As the community expanded, another wing was added to the high school, a state-of –the-art Performing Arts Center was built, wrestling and weight rooms were added, and the auto shop was transformed into a music suite for the high school band and choir programs. The technology budget was expanded and all classrooms throughout the district were given multiple computers for teachers and students.Today, the school population has grown to approximately 1300 students and has become increasingly diverse (52 % white, 40% black, 6% Indian, 4% other). We offer 38 clubs, 17 sports programs, and expanded Special Education programs that meet the special needs of autistic, hearing impaired and physically challenged students. The school has one principal and three vice principals, who manage the operations of our newly expanded two building campus, which includes a 9th grade transition program.

In its brief 45-year history, Burlington Township High School is proud of the many students who have graduated and gone on to successfully careers. A number of former students have returned to teach. Today, in the high school alone, 16 teachers are alumni of Burlington Township High School! The community has recognized the quality of our programs and services, which is evident in our rating by the New Jersey Realtors Association as one of the top 5 areas for schools in the last 10 years running.

Resilient is the best way to describe our district. Through expansion and social change, it continues to provide a safe, secure learning environment while maintaining a working partnership with the community. Burlington Township High School and its community have been noted for creating a welcoming environment and establishing a culture that celebrates diversity and focuses on meeting the needs of all students who pass through our halls.