Rancocas Valley Regional High School
Encyclopedia
Rancocas Valley Regional High School is a regional public high school
and school district
serving students in grades 9 through 12 from five communities in Burlington County
, New Jersey
. The district encompasses approximately 40 square miles (103.6 km²) and comprises the communities of Eastampton Township
, Hainesport Township
, Lumberton Township
, Mount Holly Township
and Westampton Township
. The school is located in Mount Holly Township. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Secondary Schools since 1938.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the district had an enrollment of 2,142 students and 120 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 17.85.
The school was the 223rd-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly
magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 242nd in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was ranked 243rd in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.
The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education
as being in District Factor Group "DE", the fifth highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.
consists of nine members: two each from Eastampton, Lumberton, Mount Holly and Westampton, and one member from Hainesport.
. Mount Holly High School was founded around 1900, and after a vote to establish a regional high school, Rancocas Valley Regional opened its doors in 1937.
Rancocas Valley High School offers a range of college prep, honors, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, business and industrial arts classes. Students can receive college credits by successfully completing specific high school courses through the Burlington County College
Accelerated Program (CAP).
Rancocas Valley High School offers over 40 clubs and activities. The drama and music classes offer top-notch musicals and performances.
RVTV, otherwise known as Channel 19, is operated out of the school and is distributed by Comcast and showcases sporting events, concerts and student-created programming.
(BCSL), which consists of nineteen public and non-public high schools covering Burlington County
, Mercer County
and Ocean County
in central New Jersey
. The league operates under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
(NJSIAA). RV competes in the BCSL's Liberty Division. The school's mascot is the Red Devil and its colors are red and white.
In 1998, the boys Varsity Spring Track team went undefeated for the first time since 1979.
In 2004-05, the school's girls' softball team and boys' soccer team ended the season as state champions, with the boys soccer team as Group IV co-champion with Kearny High School in a game that ended in a scoreless tie after regulation and two overtimes.
The softball team won the 2007 Central, Group IV state sectional championship, edging Manalapan High School
1-0 in the tournament final.
The 2006 field hockey team took the Central, Group IV state sectional title with a 2-1 win against Cherokee High School
in the tournament final.
The Cross Country team went 16-0 in 2004 on its way to winning the Liberty Division Title.
Until 2007 the Boys Track and Field Team hadn't lost a dual meet in three years, winning three consecutive Liberty Division Titles.
The 2008 boys basketball team won the Central, Group IV state sectional championship with a 70-51 win over Trenton Central High School
in the tournament final.
Forward Michael Bersch signed a National Letter of Intent with American University following the campaign, and teammate Kendall White chose to play at Rowan University in 2009. Classmate Nnamdi Njoku signed on to play at Moravian College before eventually ending up at Lackawanna Junior College in 2010. The Westampton, N.J., native transferred to Bloomsburg University (Pa.) for the 2011 campaign.
The 2008 boys soccer team won the Group IV state championship with a 2-0 win over Clifton High School.
The 2008 Rancocas Valley boys' soccer team boasted five future Division-I players, including Ryan Finley, who signed to play at Duke University before transferring to the University of Notre Dame for the 2011 season. The Red Devils also sported future Lafayette College players Blake Fink and Alec Golini, who played alongside RV graduates Luke Calvano and Stephen Macurdy at the Patriot League school. Alfred Johnson III initially went to Rider University, but transferred to Saint Peter's and won a MAAC Championship in 2010. Bobby Spracklin arrived at Rutgers University as a freshman in 2011.
The RV Boy's swim team won six consecutive division titles.
The school is represented by an ice hockey team in Varsity Tier I of the South Jersey High School Ice Hockey League.
RV is noted for producing three first round NFL Draft Picks in Franco Harris
, Irving Fryar
, and Alonzo Spellman
.
In 2004, the RVRHS marching band won their first Group 3 National Championship Title in Allentown, PA for their piece "Pandora's Box". In 2009, The Marching Band won first place at the USSBA Group 3 Open National Championships with a score of 97.2 and came in first place at the USSBA Group 3 Open State Competition. These mark the highest accolades that the Rancocas Valley Marching Band have ever received. The band also won State Championships in 2010 in Group 3 Open with a score of 91.825 and receiving the captions best color guard, best music, best overall effect, and best visual. On October 30, 2010 the band won first place at the Northern States Competition in Allentown, PA with a score of 95.900, also receiving caption awards for best percussion, best colorguard, best music, and best overall effect. They beat many group 3 Open bands from around the region, in states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, Virginia,etc. On November 7, 2010 the band won yet again and took home the title for USSBA Group 3 Open National champions with a score of 97.8. They also received best color guard, best music, and best overall effect.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
and school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
serving students in grades 9 through 12 from five communities in Burlington County
Burlington County, New Jersey
There were 154,371 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The district encompasses approximately 40 square miles (103.6 km²) and comprises the communities of Eastampton Township
Eastampton Township, New Jersey
Eastampton Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 6,202....
, Hainesport Township
Hainesport Township, New Jersey
Hainesport Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2000 Census, the township population was 4,126....
, Lumberton Township
Lumberton Township, New Jersey
Lumberton Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 10,461....
, Mount Holly Township
Mount Holly Township, New Jersey
Mount Holly Township is a township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States as well as an eastern suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 10,728. It is the county seat of Burlington County....
and Westampton Township
Westampton Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,217 people, 2,525 households, and 1,966 families residing in the township. The population density was 653.6 people per square mile . There were 2,581 housing units at an average density of 233.8 per square mile...
. The school is located in Mount Holly Township. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
Commission on Secondary Schools since 1938.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the district had an enrollment of 2,142 students and 120 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 17.85.
The school was the 223rd-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly is a monthly glossy publication featuring issues of possible interest to residents of the United States state of New Jersey...
magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", after being ranked 242nd in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was ranked 243rd in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.
The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
as being in District Factor Group "DE", the fifth highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.
Board of Education
The district's Board of EducationBoard of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
consists of nine members: two each from Eastampton, Lumberton, Mount Holly and Westampton, and one member from Hainesport.
The School
The school was built on the ruins of a private school for boys that was abandoned at the time of the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Mount Holly High School was founded around 1900, and after a vote to establish a regional high school, Rancocas Valley Regional opened its doors in 1937.
Rancocas Valley High School offers a range of college prep, honors, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, business and industrial arts classes. Students can receive college credits by successfully completing specific high school courses through the Burlington County College
Burlington County College
Burlington County College is an accredited, co-educational, two-year, public, community college located in Burlington County, New Jersey...
Accelerated Program (CAP).
Rancocas Valley High School offers over 40 clubs and activities. The drama and music classes offer top-notch musicals and performances.
RVTV, otherwise known as Channel 19, is operated out of the school and is distributed by Comcast and showcases sporting events, concerts and student-created programming.
Athletics
Rancocas Valley Regional High School competes in the Burlington County Scholastic LeagueBurlington County Scholastic League
The Burlington County Scholastic League is a New Jersey high school sports association under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association...
(BCSL), which consists of nineteen public and non-public high schools covering Burlington County
Burlington County, New Jersey
There were 154,371 households out of which 34.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had...
, Mercer County
Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 350,761 people, 125,807 households, and 86,303 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,552 people per square mile . There were 133,280 housing units at an average density of 590 per square mile...
and Ocean County
Ocean County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803 people per square mile . There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km²...
in central New Jersey
Central Jersey
Central Jersey is a common designation for a region of the state of New Jersey in the United States of America. Trenton is considered the boundary between designated "North Jersey" and "South Jersey"...
. The league operates under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...
(NJSIAA). RV competes in the BCSL's Liberty Division. The school's mascot is the Red Devil and its colors are red and white.
In 1998, the boys Varsity Spring Track team went undefeated for the first time since 1979.
In 2004-05, the school's girls' softball team and boys' soccer team ended the season as state champions, with the boys soccer team as Group IV co-champion with Kearny High School in a game that ended in a scoreless tie after regulation and two overtimes.
The softball team won the 2007 Central, Group IV state sectional championship, edging Manalapan High School
Manalapan High School
Manalapan High School is a comprehensive four-year public high school located in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Freehold Regional High School District. The school serves students from all of Englishtown and portions of Manalapan...
1-0 in the tournament final.
The 2006 field hockey team took the Central, Group IV state sectional title with a 2-1 win against Cherokee High School
Cherokee High School (Georgia)
Cherokee High School is one of eight public high schools of the Cherokee County School District located in Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. It is located in Canton, GA. Established in 1956, it was the first high school in Cherokee County, Georgia...
in the tournament final.
The Cross Country team went 16-0 in 2004 on its way to winning the Liberty Division Title.
Until 2007 the Boys Track and Field Team hadn't lost a dual meet in three years, winning three consecutive Liberty Division Titles.
The 2008 boys basketball team won the Central, Group IV state sectional championship with a 70-51 win over Trenton Central High School
Trenton Central High School
Trenton Central High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Trenton, in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Trenton Public Schools....
in the tournament final.
Forward Michael Bersch signed a National Letter of Intent with American University following the campaign, and teammate Kendall White chose to play at Rowan University in 2009. Classmate Nnamdi Njoku signed on to play at Moravian College before eventually ending up at Lackawanna Junior College in 2010. The Westampton, N.J., native transferred to Bloomsburg University (Pa.) for the 2011 campaign.
The 2008 boys soccer team won the Group IV state championship with a 2-0 win over Clifton High School.
The 2008 Rancocas Valley boys' soccer team boasted five future Division-I players, including Ryan Finley, who signed to play at Duke University before transferring to the University of Notre Dame for the 2011 season. The Red Devils also sported future Lafayette College players Blake Fink and Alec Golini, who played alongside RV graduates Luke Calvano and Stephen Macurdy at the Patriot League school. Alfred Johnson III initially went to Rider University, but transferred to Saint Peter's and won a MAAC Championship in 2010. Bobby Spracklin arrived at Rutgers University as a freshman in 2011.
The RV Boy's swim team won six consecutive division titles.
The school is represented by an ice hockey team in Varsity Tier I of the South Jersey High School Ice Hockey League.
RV is noted for producing three first round NFL Draft Picks in Franco Harris
Franco Harris
Franco Harris is a former American football player. He played his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.In the 1972 NFL Draft he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, the 13th selection overall...
, Irving Fryar
Irving Fryar
Irving Dale Fryar is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League.Fryar grew up in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey and played high school football at Rancocas Valley Regional High School...
, and Alonzo Spellman
Alonzo Spellman
Alonzo Robert Spellman is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and the Detroit Lions...
.
Extracurricular activities
Rancocas Valley is the home of the Rancocas Valley Regional High School dance team, which has been in existence since 1999 and is the only high school dance team in South Jersey. The team prepares two elite dances every year for their competitions and to perform at basketball games. The team hosts the Reach For The Stars Dance Show in January of every year for the community. Over the course of the year, the team competes in 4 to 5 competitions. One of those competitions is the New Jersey State Championship. In the years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 the dance team has taken first place in both their Team Performance, and their Kick routine. Every year the team raises money for their trip to Florida to compete in the National Dance Alliance (NDA) National Dance Competition. The team dances amongst and against the best dance teams in the country. In 2010 the team took 1st place in their Circus-themed High Kick Routine. This was the first National Championship the team has ever won. In 2011 the team took 1st place again with their Time-themed Team Performance routine.In 2004, the RVRHS marching band won their first Group 3 National Championship Title in Allentown, PA for their piece "Pandora's Box". In 2009, The Marching Band won first place at the USSBA Group 3 Open National Championships with a score of 97.2 and came in first place at the USSBA Group 3 Open State Competition. These mark the highest accolades that the Rancocas Valley Marching Band have ever received. The band also won State Championships in 2010 in Group 3 Open with a score of 91.825 and receiving the captions best color guard, best music, best overall effect, and best visual. On October 30, 2010 the band won first place at the Northern States Competition in Allentown, PA with a score of 95.900, also receiving caption awards for best percussion, best colorguard, best music, and best overall effect. They beat many group 3 Open bands from around the region, in states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, Virginia,etc. On November 7, 2010 the band won yet again and took home the title for USSBA Group 3 Open National champions with a score of 97.8. They also received best color guard, best music, and best overall effect.
Administration
Core members of the school's administration are:- Dr. Gerard Jellig, Superintendent / Principal
- Robert L. Sapp, Business Administrator / Board Secretary
- Bill Booth, Assistant Principal
- Letti Branin, Assistant Principal
- Chris Myers, Assistant Principal
Notable alumni
Some of the notable alumni from Rancocas's "VIP" list include:- Pat FideliaPat FideliaPat Fidelia is a retired Haitian-American soccer forward who spent four seasons in the North American Soccer League, two in the American Soccer League and one in the United Soccer League. He also earned one cap playing with/for the national team.-Youth:Fidelia was born in Haiti and at some point...
(born 1959), former professional soccer player. - Irving FryarIrving FryarIrving Dale Fryar is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League.Fryar grew up in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey and played high school football at Rancocas Valley Regional High School...
(born 1962), professional football player who played for the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Ron GassertRon GassertRonald Earl Gassert is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at the University of Virginia, where he was a defensive end.Gassert was drafted by the Packers in the fourth round of the 1962 NFL Draft...
(born 1940, class of '57), professional football player who played for the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. - Franco HarrisFranco HarrisFranco Harris is a former American football player. He played his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.In the 1972 NFL Draft he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, the 13th selection overall...
(born 1950, Class of '68), Hall of Fame NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
who spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, where he led the team to four Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
victories. - Pete Harris (1956–2006), All-AmericaAll-AmericaAn All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
in football player at Penn State University; younger brother of Franco Harris. - Benjamin IjalanaBenjamin IjalanaBenjamin Ijalana is an American football offensive guard who plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.Ijalana's parents immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria. A native of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Ijalana attended Rancocas Valley Regional High School, where he was a two-way...
(born 1989), offensive guard who played collegiately for the Villanova Wildcats footballVillanova Wildcats footballThe Villanova Wildcats football program represents Villanova University in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision . The Wildcats play at Villanova Stadium with capacity of 12,500.-History:...
team. - Barbara (Tidswell) ParkBarbara ParkBarbara Lynne Park is an author of children's books.Barbara Park is the daughter of a merchant and a secretary, Doris and Brooke Tidswell. She grew up in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey. From 1965 to 1967, she attended Rider College, later finishing her B.S. in 1969 at the University of Alabama....
(born 1947, class of '65), best-selling author of the "Junie B. JonesJunie B. JonesJunie B. Jones is a children's book series written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus. The story is written in Junie B.'s perspective.-Characters:Junie Beatrice "Junie B." Jones...
" series of children's books. - Alonzo SpellmanAlonzo SpellmanAlonzo Robert Spellman is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and the Detroit Lions...
(born 1971), former National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
defensive tackle who was a 1st-round draft pick, who also played in Arena Football League. - DeMya WalkerDeMya WalkerDeMya Chakheia Walker is a professional basketball player from the United States.-High school:...
(born 1977), professional basketball player, who currently plays for the Sacramento MonarchsSacramento MonarchsThe Sacramento Monarchs were a basketball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 until folding on November 20, 2009...
in the Women's National Basketball AssociationWomen's National Basketball AssociationThe Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
(WNBA).
External links
- Rancocas Valley Regional High School
- Data for Rancocas Valley Regional High School, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Rancocas Valley Regional High School Instrumental Music Programs
- Online Alumni Community