[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING HIGH POINT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

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                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 1998

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate High Point Regional 
High School in Sussex Borough, New Jersey, on receiving the U.S. 
Department of Education's prestigious Blue Ribbon Schools Award.
  This award recognizes that High Point Regional High School is one of 
the finest schools in our entire nation. This proves that public 
education works and that our young people in Sussex County are among 
the best and brightest. This honor is the result of hard work on the 
part of students, their parents, teachers and the Board of Education. 
Special congratulations go to Principal Barbara Miller. As a former 
teacher and school board member, I am proud of everyone associated with 
this accomplishment.
  Of the thousands of middle schools and high schools across the United 
States, only 166 this year were found to be outstanding enough to 
receive this high honor. Recipients of the Blue Ribbon Schools Award 
have been judged particularly effective at meeting local, state and 
national goals. The award is presented to schools that have shown 
strong leadership, a clear vision and sense of mission, high quality 
teaching, challenging curriculum, a safe environment for learning, 
solid evidence of family involvement, evidence that the school helps 
all students achieve high standards, and a commitment to share best 
practices with other schools. These schools clearly display the quality 
of excellence necessary to prepare our young people for the challenges 
of the next century.
  High Point serves more than 1,000 ninth-through-twelfth-grade 
students from the municipalities of Branchville, Frankford, Lafayette, 
Sussex Borough and Wantage--an area of 123 square miles. The modern, 
two-story facility was built in 1965 to replace the former Sussex 
Borough High School and was expanded in 1975 and 1991 to accommodate 
steady increases in enrollment. The building includes a 7,000-square-
foot library/media center, five computer labs with 105 work stations, a 
variety of comprehensive science labs, a modern television production 
studio, five physical education facilities, a vocational guidance 
center, and special education vocational training classrooms. Last 
year, a fiber optics system was installed to facilitate the expansion 
of future technology into every classroom. Outdoors, an outstanding 
rock climbing facility accentuates the extensive recreational 
opportunities of the region served by the school.
  High Point's extensive and rigorous academic program spans more than 
170 course offerings, including special courses in computers, 
engineering, law and cinema. Honors and advanced placement programs are 
offered in English, computer science, social studies, science, 
mathematics and foreign languages. Required courses for freshmen 
include English, mathematics, science, social studies and physical 
education. A rich and varied arts program is offered, with 25 percent 
of students participating in the music program and 30 percent in art. 
The Gifted and Talented program provides unique courses, independent 
study options, and many workshops and extracurricular activities such 
as Mock Trial and Model Congress. The fully functional Road Kill Cafe 
provides on-the-job training for vocational students while special 
education programs offer both departmental and mainstream classes. A 
program for autistic students was added during the 1997-1998 school 
year.
  Recognizing that student attendance is essential to foster high 
student performance, High Point has a strict attendance policy that 
mandates summer sessions for students with excessive absences. The 
result is an attendance rate that exceeds 95 percent.
  The excellence of High Point's academic program has been repeatedly 
recognized. The school was selected for the state Department of 
Education's Best Practices Award in recognition of its innovative Peer 
Leadership and Adventure Program. The Star-Ledger newspaper has ranked 
it No. 1 in New Jersey among schools of its class. The quality of the 
academic program is further proven by student test scores. More than 90 
percent of students have passed the New Jersey High School Proficiency 
Test in the past three years, with passing rates of 91.3 percent in 
reading, 97.8 percent in writing and 98.9 percent in mathematics.
  High Point students are well prepared by their teachers, parents and 
role models in the community. They can rest assured they will be able 
to handle whatever challenges they choose in life. Once again, 
congratulations to everyone involved in this impressive achievement.




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