[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    IN HONOR OF ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOL, RANKED AMONG NEW JERSEY'S BEST

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                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before the House of 
Representatives to pay tribute to Academic High School. This high 
school has continually been ranked one of the best public schools in 
the State of New Jersey, and recently has been ranked one of the top 21 
best high schools in the State of New Jersey by New Jersey Monthly 
magazine.
  Academic High School was established in 1976 as a college preparatory 
public school for highly motivated students. Academic maintains an 
ethnically diverse population of 30 percent African-American, 30 
percent Caucasian, 30 percent Hispanic and 10 percent of other 
ethnicities. Prospective students must undergo a highly selective 
screening process. This process is based on the student's elementary 
school performance, standardized tests, recommendations, attendance and 
participation in extracurricular activities. With a student-teacher 
ratio of 15:1, every student's individual academic needs can be 
addressed. The faculty shows a great deal of dedication to their work. 
This is exemplified by the fact that 51.9 percent of the teachers hold 
master's degrees, which is well above the State average. Academic High 
School has also gone out of their way to become accredited by the 
Middle States Association, which is an accomplishment worthy of being 
recognized.
  The students of Academic High School have consistently dominated the 
Hudson County Science Fair and in 1993 they were awarded five of the 
eight gold medals. Academic students have won trips to the 
International Science Fair in six of its seven annual competitions. 
Academic students have distinguished themselves by qualifying as 
National Merit Semifinalists as well as attending the Governor's 
Schools and St. Peter's College Summer Scholars Program. Students have 
also been recognized by receiving the New York Times Young Citizen 
Award and placing first in the Kiwanis/Key Club Essay Contest. With 
achievements such as these it is not surprising that 96.9 percent of 
the graduates go on to attend 4-year colleges, including the most 
competitive colleges, such as Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Cornell.
  Urban education has reached a time of crisis and Academic High School 
has proven that public schools can overcome this and achieve great 
success. I am proud to have a school in my district that can be looked 
upon as a model for other schools to follow in the hopes that they too 
can achieve the level of excellence that Academic High School has 
worked so hard to maintain.

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