Weighing Career Academy vs. R-FH Options

When your local public high school is ranked in the top ten of New Jersey Monthly’s “Top 100 Public Schools" and earned a national Blue Ribbon award and College Board advanced placement distinction, is opting for an education at a career academy still a good idea?

This is the question many parents and students are grappling with right now. To help with the choice process, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School will host “Considering the Career Academies: Consider R-FH — A Blue Ribbon Public High School” on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in the high school’s Library.

“R-FH is a learning community focused on academics, wellness, and social responsibility,” R-FH Principal Tracy Handerhan said. “Our multidisciplinary approach hones students’ perceived talents while cultivating underlying gifts, and each year our alumni return to visit and express the how much this well-rounded curriculum has benefited them at the post-secondary level.”

As part of a panel presentation, facts will be presented concerning the offerings of a career academy versus top-rated public high school and parents and students will be take part in a question/answer discussion.

Superintendent Peter Righi will provide an introduction and R-FH Director of Guidance Fran Swift will pose questions to a panel comprised of: Principal Tracy Handerhan; and academic supervisors for English, social studies, math/science and world languages, Jack Shea, Sharon Bryant and Michel Salazar-Linden.

Two R-FH teachers and students will join the panel as well. Handouts that clarify exactly what R-FH has to offer regarding academics and organizations will also be provided.

In addition to its top academic rank distinctions, R-FH has been honored for its efforts to expand access to advanced placement (AP) courses to a more diverse group of learners while simultaneously improving students’ performance in AP classes. Currently, 628 students are enrolled in the 18 AP courses offered at R-FH. The newest AP class, AP English Language and Composition, attracted a record-high 70 of the school’s juniors and seniors.

The high school offers a full array of clubs and organizations to enhance students’ social and learning experiences, including the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Chinese, French, and Spanish honor societies, Euro Challenge, Fed Challenge, Mock Trial, Character Education Club, Film Club, Chess Club, and Future Business Leaders of America.