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{{short description|High school in Monmouth County, New Jersey, US}}
{{Infobox_School | name = Colts Neck High School
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
| image =
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
| imagesize =
{{Infobox school
| motto =
| name = Colts Neck High School
| image = Colts Neck High School front.jpg
| caption = Front of school as seen from [[County Route 537 (New Jersey)|CR 537]]
| motto = "Let the Tradition Begin"
| established = 1998
| established = 1998
| grades = 9 - 12
| grades = [[ninth grade|9]]-[[twelfth grade|12]]
| district = [[Freehold Regional High School District]]
| district = [[Freehold Regional High School District]]
| type = [[Public high school]]
| type = [[state school|Public]] [[Secondary education in the United States|high school]]
| principal = Mr. Keith Land
| principal = Brian P. Donahue
| enrollment = 2,200 (as of 2005-06)<ref name=NCES/>
| enrollment = 1,413 (as of 2023–24)<ref name=NCES/>
| faculty = 150.6 (on [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis)<ref name=NCES/>
| faculty = 96.2 [[full-time equivalent|FTEs]]<ref name=NCES/>
| ratio = 14.6<ref name=NCES/>
| ratio = 14.7:1<ref name=NCES/>
| us_nces_school_id = 340561000237<ref name=NCES/>
| teamname = Cougars
| teamname = Cougars<ref name=NJSIAAprofile/>
| colors = Navy and Forest Green
| colors = {{Color box|green}} Green<br>{{Color box|Navy}} Navy blue and<br>{{Color box|Silver}} Silver<ref name=NJSIAAprofile/>
| publication =
| publication =
| conference = [[Shore Conference]]
| conference = [[Shore Conference]]<ref name=Shore/>
| newspaper = ''The Paw Print''
| newspaper = The Paw Print<ref>[https://cnhspawprint.com Home Page], The Paw Print. Accessed October 4, 2018.</ref>
| location = 59 Five Points Road<br>[[Colts Neck Township, New Jersey|Colts Neck]], [[New Jersey|NJ]] 07722
| address = 59 Five Points Road
| city = [[Colts Neck Township, New Jersey|Colts Neck Township]]
| information = 732-761-0190
| county = [[Monmouth County, New Jersey|Monmouth County]]
| website = http://www.frhsd.com/coltsneck/
| state = [[New Jersey]]
| zipcode = 07722
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|40.275134|-74.210314|region:US-NJ_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = USA New Jersey Monmouth County#USA New Jersey#USA
| accreditation = [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools]]<ref name=MSA-CESS/>
| information =
| website = {{URL|https://coltsneck.frhsd.com/}}
|logo =
}}
}}
'''Colts Neck High School''' is a four-year [[comprehensive high school|comprehensive]] [[state school|public]] [[Secondary education in the United States|high school]] located in [[Colts Neck Township, New Jersey|Colts Neck Township]], in [[Monmouth County, New Jersey|Monmouth County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]], serving students in [[ninth grade|ninth]] through [[twelfth grade]]s and operating as one of the six secondary schools of the [[Freehold Regional High School District]].<ref>[https://www.frhsd.com/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=115&dataid=5452&FileName=FRHSD%20FY18%20CAFR.pdf ''Annual Comprehensive Financial Report''], [[Freehold Regional High School District]], June 30, 2018. Accessed January 15, 2020. "Geographically, the District is comprised of the Townships of Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro and the Boroughs of Englishtown, Farmingdale and Freehold. Established in 1953, the District's total area is 198 square miles."</ref> The school is located at the corner of [[County Route 537 (New Jersey)|County Route 537]] and Five Points Road. The school serves students from all of Colts Neck Township and from portions of both [[Howell Township, New Jersey|Howell Township]] and [[Marlboro Township, New Jersey|Marlboro Township]].<ref name=Zones/> The school has been accredited by the [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools]] Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 2008; its accredited status extends to July 2025.<ref name=MSA-CESS>[https://www.msa-cess.org/school-profile/?oId=0065e00000B8SC0&typ=school-profile Colts Neck High School], [[Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools]] Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed December 18, 2024.</ref>
'''Colts Neck High School''' is a four-year comprehensive [[public high school]] located in [[Colts Neck Township, New Jersey|Colts Neck Township]], [[New Jersey]], as part of the [[Freehold Regional High School District]]. The school is located at at the corner of [[County Route 537 (New Jersey)|County Route 537]] and Five Points Road.


As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,413 students and 96.2 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 14.7:1. There were 199 students (14.1% of enrollment) eligible for [[National School Lunch Act|free lunch]] and 52 (3.7% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3405610&ID=340561000237 School data for Colts Neck High School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>
The school currently serves students from Colts Neck Township and from portions of [[Freehold Borough, New Jersey|Freehold Borough]], [[Farmingdale, New Jersey|Farmingdale]], [[Howell Township, New Jersey|Howell Township]] and [[Marlboro Township, New Jersey|Marlboro Township]] the biggest in the district.


The school's mascot is the [[cougar]],<ref name=NJSIAAprofile/> which was chosen collectively by the student body in a competition. The school's motto is "Let The Tradition Begin."
As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,200 students and 150.6 classroom teachers (on a [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis, for a student-teacher ratio of 14.6.<ref name=NCES>[http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3405610&ID=340561000237 Colts Neck High School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed [[October 31]], [[2007]].</ref>


==History==
The school's mascot is the [[Cougar]], which was chosen collectively by the student body in a competition. The school's motto is "Let The Tradition Begin."
The earliest proposal for a high school in Colts Neck dates back to a May 1978, referendum that would have included a high school building in the township at a cost of $17 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|17|1978|fmt=c|r=1}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}), which was approved by Colts Neck voters but was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in the seven other constituent municipalities.<ref>Kahn, Joan. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/517166674/ "Stung by Criticism"], ''The Daily Register'', May 19, 1978. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "Stung by the overwhelming rejection this week of a referendum which would have given Colts Neck a high school within its boundaries, the Board of Education last night decided to set up an 11-member Citizens Advisory Committee to recommend plans for the district's high school students. Colts Neck is one of eight members of the Freehold Regional High School district, whose $24 million building program, including the construction of a $17 million new high school here, went down to a 6 to 1 defeat, with only Colts Neck voters giving the proposal a narrow edge of approval among the district members."</ref> In 1983, there was active consideration of having Colts Neck withdraw from the regional high school system, while the district considered renaming [[Marlboro High School]], which was attended by Colts Neck students, as Marlboro-Colts Neck High School.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/517299098/ "School name change nixed"], ''Daily Register'', June 2, 1983. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "The local Board of Education last night sided with opponents of a proposal to change the name of Marlboro High School to Marlboro-Colts Neck High School, which is before the Freehold Regional Board of Education.... Still another argument is the uncertainty of the regional district's future in general, and specifically the future of Colts Neck students at what is now Marlboro High School. Colts Neck has sought to build its own high school as part of a proposal to dissolve the regional district."</ref>

A {{convert|67|acres|adj=on}} site was identified in 1986 as part of a project that would create a new Colts Neck High School that would cost an estimated $30&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|30|1986|fmt=c|r=1}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) and could accommodate 1,300 students and would also expand other district facilities at a total cost of $36&nbsp;million.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148085552/ "Colts Neck high school site chosen"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', January 31, 1986. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "A site for construction of a high school in the township was announced by the Township Committee last night.... Upon the recommendation of H. Victor Crespy, superintendent of the Freehold Regional High School district, the committee will look into the purchase of about 70 acres of the 130-acre site. Crespy was instrumental in finding a site, Caponegro said. A $33 million project, which would include construction of a new high school in Colts Neck, as well as additions to three other high schools in the regional district, is being considered. A referendum on the project is expected to be held later this year."</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/145084148/ "Regional high school building plan nears vote"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', August 13, 1986. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "With the state granting approval earlier this week to drawings for the new building, Colts Neck Township is another step closer to getting a high school In May, the Freehold Regional Board of Education approved the schematic drawings for the school, which will provide classroom facilities for 1,300 students.... The proposal calls for the high school to be built on a 67-acre site at the southeast corner of the intersection of Route 537 and Five Points Road. Construction of the school could begin by late summer or the fall of 1987 if residents approve the referendum. The school could open 24 to 36 months after that."</ref> In September 1986, voters approved the referendum by a 58%-42% margin, with Colts Neck residents providing much of the margin for passage.<ref>Johnson, Mary Gay. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/517637350/ "To be built in Colts Neck; New high school gets voter OK"], ''The Register'', October 1, 1986. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "A strong voter turnout in Marlboro and Colts Neck townships provided enough momentum last night for passage of the $36.4 million Freehold Regional High School District referendum by a margin of more than 800 votes. With the approved referendum, residents in the district will get a new high school slated for Colts Neck, along with millions worth of repairs and renovations at four other area high schools."</ref> By 1988, the costs of construction of the new high school had soared by millions of dollars, exceeding the amount available from the referendum to cover the costs, leading to further delays.<ref>Arnold, Laurence. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/517701477/ "Colts Neck high school fight hits roadblock"], ''The Register'', December 4, 1988. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "Now, that fight may end up in court. At issue is how the school board deals with a budget shortfall between the voter-approved $36 million and what is now thought to be a price tag rising several million dollars above that. The boards decision to go ahead with four renovation projects on area high schools but to postpone the largest project the construction of Colts Neck High School has prompted threats of legal action by outraged township officials."</ref> In February 1993, a judge ruled that the district had to move forward with construction of the new high school and could not put forth a referendum to undo the 1986 vote.<ref>Skerritt, Andrew J. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/145859987/ "Building of school ordered by judge"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', February 19, 1993. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "Colts Neck Township may finally get its high school. Superior Court Judge Patrick J. McGann Jr. has ordered the Freehold Regional High School District to begin building the much-delayed school in Colts Neck. And the district cannot hold a referendum asking voters to reverse their decision to issue bonds to finance the school's construction. McGann said in a ruling obtained yesterday."</ref> In July 1994, the [[New Jersey Supreme Court]] refused to hear the case.<ref>Bradfield, Ellen. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148211690/ "Mandate to build school is upheld; By refusing to hear an appeal, the state Supreme Court lets stand a lower court ruling ordering construction of a Colts Neck Township high school."], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', July 21, 1994. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "The state's highest court has upheld the position that the Freehold Regional High School District must comply with a 1986 referendum to build a new high school here. On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court issued its denial of the regional board's petition to hear an appeal of a 1993 decision by state Superior Court Judge Patrick J. McGann Jr. ordering the regional board to proceed immediately with plans to construct the school. A further petition to the Appellate Division was denied earlier this year."</ref>

Construction began in August 1996, with expectations to have the building open in September 1998 to handle 750 incoming students, with an eventual capacity for 1,300.<ref>Sergeant, Jacqueline. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/144745423/ "Work begins on school building; A groundbreaking for Colts Neck High School has been scheduled for September even though work has started."], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', August 9, 1996. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "The groundbreaking ceremony hasn't happened yet, but construction is already under way on the sixth school in the Freehold Regional School District An official groundbreaking for the new high school, which had been scheduled for early summer, will now be held in September, said Fred Young, the district's deputy superintendent in charge of curriculum and instruction.... The 73,000-square-foot field at Route 537 and Five Points Road has been buzzing with workers on tractors, clearing and leveling the field, Young said.... The target opening date of September 1998 is still intact. The high school initially will house 750 students. But the building is being designed to accommodate 1,300 in the long run."</ref>

The school opened in September 1998 as the sixth high school in the system, with 380 students in ninth and tenth grades.<ref>Ryan, Harriet. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/144788400/ "A clean slate in every classroom; New Colts Neck High School ready for a year fall of firsts"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', August 31, 1988. Accessed April 27, 2021, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "Today is the last day Colts Neck High School will be perfect. By tomorrow afternoon, back-to-school shoes will have scuffed some of the shine off the floors.... The Freehold Regional High School District's sixth high school is a state-of-the art building that will draw 380 freshmen and sophomores this year from throughout the district and be staffed by 30 teachers handpicked from hundreds of applicants."</ref>

Since the start of the 2016–17 school year, students in grades 9 through 12 from [[Naval Weapons Station Earle]] started attending Colts Neck High School, before which they had attended [[Monmouth Regional High School]] in [[Tinton Falls, New Jersey|Tinton Falls]].<ref>Daniels, Rosemary. [https://tworivertimes.com/nws-earle-students-to-attend-colts-neck-hs/ "NWS Earle Students To Attend Colts Neck HS"], ''The Two River Times'', April 20, 2016. Accessed December 17, 2024. "Thanks to an agreement between the Navy, Monmouth County School Administration, and the Freehold Regional School District, 15 high school-age children from the Naval Weapons Station (NWS Earle) will transition from Monmouth Regional High School, Tinton Falls, to Colts Neck High School as of September 2016.... The main side of the Earle complex is located in Colts Neck, and according to public relations liaison William Addison, the residents there patronize many of the local businesses."</ref>

==Awards, recognition and rankings==
The school was the 68th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'' magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.<ref>Staff. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/top-schools-alphabetical-list.html "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.</ref> The school had been ranked 103rd in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 80th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.<ref>Staff. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/the-top-new-jersey-high-schools-alphabetical.html "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', August 16, 2012. Accessed September 23, 2012.</ref> The magazine ranked the school 109th in the magazine's September 2008 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.<ref name=NJMonthly>[http://njmonthly.com/articles/towns_and_schools/highschoolrankings/top-new-jersey-high-schools-by-rank.html "Top New Jersey High Schools 2010: By Rank"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', September 2010, Accessed September 1, 2010.</ref>

Schooldigger.com ranked the school tied for 72nd out of 381 public high schools statewide in its 2011 rankings (an increase of 61 positions from the 2010 ranking) which were based on the combined percentage of students classified as proficient or above proficient on the mathematics (89.4%) and language arts literacy (96.7%) components of the [[High School Proficiency Assessment]] (HSPA).<ref>[http://www.schooldigger.com/schoolrank.aspx?Level=3&findschool=0561000237 New Jersey High School Rankings: 11th Grade HSPA Language Arts Literacy & HSPA Math 2010-2011]{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Schooldigger.com. Accessed February 27, 2012.</ref>


==Athletics==
==Athletics==
The Colts Neck High School Cougars<ref name=NJSIAAprofile>[https://www.njsiaa.org/schools/colts-neck-high-school Colts Neck High School], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed October 20, 2020.</ref> compete in Division B North of the [[Shore Conference]], an athletic conference comprised of public and private high schools in Monmouth and [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]] counties along the [[Jersey Shore]].<ref name=Shore>[http://media.digitalsports.com/79529/files/2017/03/Shore-Conference-Realignment-2018-2020.pdf Shore Conference Realignment for 2018-2019 and 2019-2020], [[Shore Conference]]. Accessed November 15, 2020.</ref><ref>[http://www.shoreconferencenj.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=249 Member Schools], [[Shore Conference]]. Accessed November 15, 2020.</ref> The league operates under the jurisdiction of the [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]] (NJSIAA).<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-10/2020-2021-lc-officers-schools.pdf League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed October 20, 2020.</ref> With 1,027 students in grades 10–12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group III for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 761 to 1,058 students in that grade range.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/general-classifications-2018-2020.pdf NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed November 20, 2020.</ref> The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Group IV South for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 890 to 1,298 students.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-08/football-2024-2026.pdf NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2024–2026], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]], updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.</ref> Since the school opened in 2001, it has won numerous state, sectional, county, conference, and division titles.
Since the school opened in 1998, it has won numerous state, sectional, county, conference, and division titles.


The school participates with [[Raritan High School]] in a joint ice hockey team in which [[Freehold High School]] is the host school / lead agency. The co-op program operates under agreements scheduled to expire at the end of the 2023–24 school year.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-12/winter-co-ops-2020-21.pdf NJSIAA Winter Cooperative Sports Programs], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed December 1, 2020.</ref>
==Cross Country / Track & Field==
The [[cross country running]] and track program (in particular distance running) has been one of the school's most successful teams. The girls cross country team has been nationally ranked during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The team also qualified for Nike Team Nationals in 2006 and finished 4th with Ashley Higginson, Briana Jackucewicz, Allison Donaghy, Kristen O'Dowd, Erin Donaghy, Allie Flott, Morgan Clark, and Allison Linnell .<ref>[http://www.dyestat.com/3us/6xc/ntn/1ne/rank-week11.html?PHPSESSID=110689d9dae1f762b7f44c31b53f8eea Northeast Region Week 11 rankings], dated [[November 3]], [[2006]]</ref> This 2006 girls' team won the 2006 Shore Conference, Monmouth County, Central Jersey Group IV, NJ Group IV, and NJ Meet of Champions titles. The cross country program also has produced three Foot Locker Finalists (Briana Jackucewicz, Craig Forys, and Ashley Higginson).


===Girls' soccer===
The indoor and outdoor track and field program is also extremely successful. The indoor track program to date has won five national titles Boys Distance Medley Relay 2005, Girls 4 x 1 mile Relay 2006 & 2007, Boys 2 mile 2007, Girls 2 mile 2007. The track program also has produced numerous state champions and holds numerous NJ state records, the most notable being the Boys 4 x 800 Relay set in 2005 with a time of 7:39.54, the fastest record time in the nation that year.<ref>[http://www.seacoastbc.com/seacoast_projects.php?projectID=46 Seacoast Builders Corporation: Colts Neck High School], ''[[Seacoast Builders Corporation]]'', accessed [[February 15]], [[2008]]</ref>
In 2015, the girls' soccer team finished the season with a record of 24–0–1, winning the first Shore Conference title and the first state title for girls' soccer, defeating nationally top ranked [[Northern Highlands Regional High School]] by a score of 1–0 in the tournament final to win the Group III state championship.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021-12/21-girls-soccer.pdf NJSIAA History of Girls Soccer], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref>Christie, Sherlon. [http://www.app.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2015/11/21/girls-soccer-group-3-and-4-state-finals/76019402/ "Girls Soccer: Colts Neck stuns Northern Highlands, No. 1 team in USA"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', December 10, 2015. Accessed December 14, 2016. "The Colts Neck girls soccer team completed the most improbable season in the history of New Jersey girls soccer.... Beat the No. 1 high school girls soccer team in the USA while winning your school's first NJSIAA Group III state title and complete an undefeated season in the process. Well, that's immortality."</ref>


===Girls' basketball===
In its short history, the cross country and track program has had 13 different athletes earn All-American status. Nineteen of those 23 athletes have earned the honor multiple times. In total the program has earned 35 All-American honors.
The girls' basketball program set a single season record for wins in 2009 and won the Group IV state championship, defeating [[Columbia High School (New Jersey)|Columbia High School]] by a score of 58–52 in the tournament final.<ref name=NJSIAAGirlsBasketball>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/2020-girls-basketball-history.pdf Girls Basketball Championship History: 1919–2024], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]], updated March 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.</ref><ref>Williams, Tony. [https://patch.com/new-jersey/southorange/chs-girls-fall-to-colts-neck-2 "CHS Girls Fall to Colts Neck A 58-52 loss in Toms River ends the season for the Cougars."], South Orange, NJ Patch, March 16, 2009. Accessed November 16, 2020. "The Columbia girls' basketball season came to a bitter end, Sunday, after a close 58-52 loss to Colts Neck, in the NJSIAA Group IV State Championship. Spearheaded by 23 points apiece from Lauren Clarke and the West Virginia-bound Brooke Hampton, the Colts Neck Cougars (27-3) used mini second-half spurts and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to knock off the Columbia Cougars (22-5)."</ref> The team finished the season with a 29–4 record after losing in the finals of the [[Tournament of Champions (NJSIAA)|Tournament of Champions]] by a score of 56–44 to [[St. John Vianney High School (New Jersey)|St. John Vianney High School]], which won their sixth Tournament of Champions title.<ref>Stephenson, Colin. [http://blog.nj.com/hssportsextra/2009/03/st_john_vianney_defeats_colts.html "St. John Vianney defeats Colt's Neck, 56-44, to win Girls' Tournament of Champions for the sixth time"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', March 23, 2009. Accessed June 27, 2011.</ref> In 2008 they won the Shore Conference Tournament with a 55–47 win over [[Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School]] in triple overtime, the first public high school to win the conference title since 1989.<ref>Morris, Tim; and McKenzie, Doug. [https://archive.centraljersey.com/2008/02/27/colts-neck-captures-first-shore-conference-crown/ "Colts Neck captures first Shore Conference crown"], ''News Transcript'', February 27, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2020. "In a memorial semifinal that matched two teams that were too stubborn to give in and too proud to lose, the Cougars won a triple-overtime marathon, 55-47, over Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School.... 'We felt that the fast play was in our favor,' said Truhan, whose team became the first public school to win the SCT since Neptune in 1989."</ref>


===Girls bowling===
Craig Forys is the New Jersey High School State two-mile record holder and the Nike Indoor National Champion in the two-mile for the 2006-07 school year.
The girls bowling team won the Group II state championship in 2019.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/20-bowling_0_0.pdf History of NJSIAA Girls Bowling Championships], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed November 20, 2020.</ref><ref>Tartaglia, Greg. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/bowling/2019/02/11/nj-girls-bowling-toms-river-north-repeat-champ-njsiaa-finals/2813407002/ "A 'great' day lifts Toms River North to second straight NJSIAA girls bowling crown"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', February 11, 2019. Accessed December 30, 2020. "The Shore Conference swept every trophy, with the runner-up Patriots (2,678) winning Group 3. They, Group 2 Colts Neck (2,500) and Group 1 St. John Vianney (2,207) all earned their first state titles."</ref>


===Girls field hockey===
==Campus==
The 2017 field hockey team won the North II Group III state sectional championship with a 2–0 victory against [[Freehold High School]].<ref name=NJSIAAFieldHockey>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021-12/21-girls-field-hockey_0.pdf History of NJSIAA Field Hockey Championships], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Pierce, Les. [https://www.thejournalnj.com/articles/colts-neck-field-hockey-captures-first-ever-state-title-2 "Colts Neck Field Hockey Captures First Ever State Title"], ''Colts Neck Journal'', January 12, 2018. Accessed December 30, 2020. "Colts Neck captured the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 NJSIAA State Sectional championship via a 2-0 win over crosstown rival Freehold Borough. The Colonials arrived on the field as the defending champions, but the Cougars seemed unimpressed and took control of the play early on."</ref>
[[Image:Colts%20neck.jpg|thumb|right|An overhead picture of Colts Neck High School.]]
Colts Neck High School is the only school in the district that is fully climate controlled. The school underwent a large expansion in 2001 that increased the size of the building by roughly 1/3. The school has a total of two gyms, the larger one being used for all varsity teams seating 3000 which is packed because of the schools number one sport. The auditorium holds a total of about 1750 people which is used for assemblies and the schools' arts program. Since Colts Neck is such a small town, with a lot of open space, the school has over 75 acres of land that is used for its sports teams. The fields include soccer, track, football stadium and practice fields, lacrosse, and baseball fields. Other features include a large eight mat wrestling room, a gymnastics room, and three team rooms.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/track/2005-top-boys.htm Boys' high school top performers: 2005 rankings], ''[[USA Today]]'', accessed [[March 17]], [[2007]]</ref>


===Cross country / track & field===
==Magnet Programs==
The [[cross country running]] and track program (in particular distance running) has been one of the school's most successful teams. The girls' cross country team has been nationally ranked three times, during the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons. The team also qualified for Nike Team Nationals in 2006 and finished 4th with [[Ashley Higginson]] (1st place), Briana Jackucewicz, Allison Donaghy, Kristen O'Dowd, Erin Donaghy, Allie Flott, Morgan Clark, and Allison Linnell (Linnell attended MAST.)<ref>[https://archive.today/20130121181925/http://www.dyestat.com/3us/6xc/ntn/1ne/rank-week11.html?PHPSESSID=110689d9dae1f762b7f44c31b53f8eea Northeast Region Week 11 rankings], dated November 3, 2006.</ref> This 2006 girls' team had wins at the 2006 Shore Conference, Monmouth County, Central Jersey Group IV, NJ Group IV, and NJ Meet of Champions.<ref>Newman, Josh. [http://cmsstage.gdn.app.com/article/20061209/SPORTS0101/104030011/-1/SPORTS010399/JOE+LYKES++Colts+Neck++girls+cross+country "Joe Lykes, Colts Neck, girls' cross country"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120326074812/http://cmsstage.gdn.app.com/article/20061209/SPORTS0101/104030011/-1/SPORTS010399/JOE+LYKES++Colts+Neck++girls+cross+country |date=March 26, 2012 }}, ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', December 9, 2006. Accessed June 27, 2011. "Colts Neck picked up wins at the Monmouth County, Shore Conference, Central Jersey Group IV and Group IV championship and the Meet of Champions."</ref> The cross country program also has produced three Foot Locker finalists (Briana Jackucewicz, Craig Forys, and Ashley Higginson).<ref>Bloom, Marc. [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/20/nyregion/high-school-running-great-expectations-come-in-threes.html "High School Running; Great Expectations Come in Threes"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 20, 2005. Accessed January 16, 2020.</ref>
There are two magnet programs that students attending the FRHSD district can apply for.


The girls won state group cross country team titles in Group I in 2000, in Group III in 2005 and 2016–2018, and in Group IV in 2006.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021-12/21-xc-group-team-champions.pdf NJSIAA Girls Cross Country State Group Champions], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>
===Law and Public Service===
The Center for Law and Public Service, located at Colts Neck High School, is a four-year program for students with demonstrated interests and abilities in history, politics, government, law, volunteerism and leadership. Targeted skills for development include problem solving, critical thinking and reading, written and oral communication, research, and organization. The values of citizenship, justice, and service serve as the foundation for academic study. Students study history as it relates to the development of the US and the evolution of world societies and governments, as well as political thought, ethical philosophy, and leadership theory. Special attention is given to NJ history and civic affairs. Skills and knowledge are enhanced by active experiences in volunteerism and public service on the school, local, state and national levels. Courses include: Speech, Debate and Dramatic Arts Workshop, Civitas, Constitutional, Civil and Criminal Law, Comparative Civilizations, American Social and Political History I and II, Senior Seminar.


The boys won the state Group III title in 2016.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021-12/21-xc-group-team-champions_0.pdf NJSIAA Boys Cross Country State Group Champions], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>
===[[Navy]] ROTC Character and Leadership Development===

This four year course of study, encompasses three main subject areas: Leadership, Naval Science, and Physical Training. The Leadership curriculum develops skills in study, time management, and personal leadership, as well as self-discipline and self-reliance. The roles and capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly sea power, shipboard life, national security and naval history are reviewed. Cadets learn military customs, courtesies, drills, ceremonies and respect for the flag, and develop a sense of patriotism through community and school service. The leadership value of fitness is reinforced with weekly physical training. This is a dynamic opportunity for students to develop leadership qualities in a nurturing and exciting environment.
The indoor and outdoor track and field program has also been extremely successful having won six national titles, the boys indoor distance medley relay 2005, girls indoor 4 x {{convert|1|mi|km|2|adj=on}} Relay 2006 & 2007, boys indoor 2 mile (Craig Forys) 2007, girls indoor and outdoor 2 mile (Ashley Higginson) 2007. The track program also has produced numerous state champions and has held numerous state records, the most notable being the boys' 4 x 800 relay set in 2005 with a time of 7:39.54.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/track/2005-top-boys.htm Boys' high school top performers: 2005 rankings], ''[[USA Today]]'', accessed March 17, 2007</ref> Craig Forys set the New Jersey State 3000 meters and two-mile (3.2&nbsp;km) records and Ashley Higginson set the New Jersey State 2 mile, 5000 meter and 2000 meter steeplechase records.<ref>Morris, Tim. [http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0509/Sports/126.html "Cougars' Forys smashes three state records in single race"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830092939/http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0509/Sports/126.html |date=August 30, 2008 }}, ''News Transcript'', May 9, 2007. Accessed August 3, 2008.</ref> The boys have won state group team titles in indoor track in Group III in 2016 and 2017.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-01/Boys%20Indoor%20Track%20%26%20Field_0.pdf ''Boys Winter Track and Field Championship History: 1922-2023''], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]], updated November 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

The girls spring / outdoor track team won the Group III state championship in 2021.<ref name=NJSIAAGirlsSpringTrack>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021-08/21-spring-track-group-history.pdf NJSIAA Girls Spring Track Summary of Group Titles], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>

===Boys' basketball===
In the 2015–16 season, the boys' basketball team captured its first state title, defeating crosstown rival [[Freehold Township High School]] by a score of 45–44 in the Central Jersey Group IV tournament final.<ref>Christie, Sherlon. [https://www.app.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2016/03/07/boys-hoops-4-shore-conference-teams-remain-njsiaa-tournament/81364218/ "Boys Hoops: Colts Neck's Brendan Clarke hits shot of a lifetime"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', March 7, 2016. Accessed October 22, 2019. "Clarke’s shot of a lifetime gave No. 2 seed Colts Neck a 45–44 victory over No. 4 seed Freehold Township in the NJSIAA Central Group IV final on Monday night, earning Colts Neck’s first sectional title for the boys basketball program."</ref>

===Boys' soccer===
The team won the Group I championship in 2000, defeating runner-up [[Whippany Park High School]] by a score of 4–2 in the tournament final.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021-12/21-boys-soccer-history.pdf NJSIAA History of Boys Soccer], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]]. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref>Holt, Bryan. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/144999934/ "A Group of Champions"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', November 30, 2000. Accessed November 16, 2020. "In just its second season of existence, the Colts Neck boys soccer team made a magical run through the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs, concluding the season with the Group I state title.... The Cougars captured the Group I title Nov. 18 with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Whippany Park at Kean University."</ref>

===Softball===
The softball team won the Group III state championship in 2021, defeating [[Cranford High School]] in the tournament final.<ref>[https://www.njsiaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2024-02/Softball%2023.pdf ''Softball Championship History 1972–2023''], [[New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association]], updated July 2023. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref>


==Administration==
==Administration==
Core members of the school's administration are:<ref>[http://www.frhsd.com/coltsneck-new/index.php?q=01A1-supervisors Supervisors], Colts Neck High School. Accessed [[October 31]], [[2007]].</ref>
The school's principal is Brian P. Donahue. His core administration team includes two assistant principals.<ref>[https://coltsneck.frhsd.com/about-us/administration/principal Administration], Colts Neck High School. Accessed December 17, 2024.</ref>
*Principal - Mr. Keith Land
*Assistant Principal - Mr. Norman Mopsick
*Assistant Principal - Mrs. Debra Kozar
*Supervisor of Extracurricular Activities - Ms. Debra Ottomanelli


==Other high schools in the district==
==Other high schools in the district==
Attendance at each of the district's high schools is based on where the student lives in relation to the district's high schools. While many students attend the school in their hometown, others attend a school located outside their own municipality.<ref name=Zones>[https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1722448295/frhsdcom/cmsplk57tnnxzfeuprta/AttendanceBoundaries.pdf FRHSD Attendance Boundaries; Which High School Will My Child Attend?], Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024. "The following is a list of streets, by municipality, that are assigned to a Freehold Regional District high school outside of their hometown."</ref> In order to balance enrollment, district lines are redrawn for the six schools to address issues with overcrowding and spending in regards to transportation. The other five schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the [[National Center for Education Statistics]]<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3405610 School Data for the Freehold Regional High School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>) with their attendance zones for incoming students are:<ref>[https://www.frhsd.com/about-us1/building-contact-information Building Contact Information], Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.visitmonmouth.com/page.aspx?Id=237 County School List E-G], [[Monmouth County, New Jersey]]. Accessed March 1, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/25/1650 School Performance Reports for the Freehold Regional High School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/1650 New Jersey School Directory for the Freehold Regional High School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>
*[[Freehold High School]]
* [[Freehold High School]]<ref>[https://freehold.frhsd.com/ Freehold High School], Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.</ref> with 1,407 students from Freehold (all) and Freehold Township (part)
*[[Freehold Township High School]]
* [[Freehold Township High School]]<ref>[https://freeholdtwp.frhsd.com/ Howell High School], Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.</ref> with 1,902 students from Freehold Township (part), Howell (part), Manalapan (part)
*[[Howell High School (New Jersey)|Howell High School]]
* [[Howell High School (New Jersey)|Howell High School]]<ref>[https://howell.frhsd.com/ Howell High School], Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.</ref> with 1,905 students from Farmingdale (all) and Howell (part)
*[[Manalapan High School]]
* [[Manalapan High School]]<ref>[https://manalapan.frhsd.com/ Manalapan High School], Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.</ref> with 1,740 students from Englishtown (all) and Manalapan (part)
*[[Marlboro High School]]
* [[Marlboro High School]]<ref>[https://marlboro.frhsd.com/ Marlboro High School], Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.</ref> with 1,742 students from Marlboro (part)

==Notable alumni==
{{Category see also|Colts Neck High School alumni}}
* [[Jake Areman]] (born 1996), [[association football|soccer]] player who plays for the [[Tampa Bay Rowdies]] in the [[USL Championship]]<ref>[https://monmouthhawks.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/jake-areman/4229 Jake Areman], [[Monmouth Hawks men's soccer]]. Accessed August 31, 2022. "Hometown: Freehold, NJ; High School: Colts Neck"</ref>
* [[Anthony DeSclafani]] (born 1990), MLB pitcher for the [[San Francisco Giants]]<ref>Curtis, Charles. [https://www.nj.com/sports/2014/05/anthony_desclafani_nj_native_and_colts_neck_hs_grad_makes_mlb_debut_for_marlins.html "Marlins' Anthony DeSclafani, N.J native and Colts Neck HS grad, makes MLB debut"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], May 15, 2014, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2020. "Anthony DeSclafani, who grew up in Howell, N.J. and graduated from Colts Neck High School, had a little bit of pressure on him: He was the pitcher called up Wednesday to replace Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, who was done for the season and had Tommy John surgery on the horizon."</ref>
* [[Ashley Higginson]] (born 1989), middle-distance runner who won the gold medal in the 3000 meter [[steeplechase (athletics)|steeplechase]] at the [[2015 Pan American Games]]<ref>[https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/article/former-colts-neck-star-ashley-higginson-one-of-the-steeplechasers-in-the-nation-spoke-to-hillsborough-cross-country-team/ "Former Colts Neck star Ashley Higginson, one of the top steeplechasers in the nation, spoke to Hillsborough cross-country team"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', September 5, 2014, updated August 25, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2020. "This past Tuesday, NJ distance running legend Ashley Higginson, who starred at Colts Neck High and Princeton University, spoke to the girls cross-country team at Hillsborough about her journey."</ref>
* [[Otandeka Laki]] (born 1996), [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[Winger (association football)|winger]] and a [[Striker (association football)|striker]] for the [[Uganda women's national football team|Uganda women's national team]]<ref>[http://www.ugandandiasporanews.com/2013/08/07/the-next-big-thing-in-americas-woman-soccer-league-ugandan-born-otandeka-laki17/comment-page-1/ "The Next Big Thing In America’s Woman Soccer League — Ugandan Born Otandeka Laki,17"], Uganda Diaspora News, August 7, 2013. Accessed February 23, 2022. "Otandeka Laki, 17, started her career in elementary school playing for recreational teams in Marlboro Township.... A member of an elite soccer club Match Fit United, Oti a senior at Colts Neck High High School in New Jersey is currently the leading goal scorer in her league and someone with a future in the American Women’s Soccer league."</ref>
* [[Frankie Tagliaferri]] (born 1999), professional [[Association football|soccer]] player who plays as a [[Midfielder (association football)|midfielder]] for the [[North Carolina Courage]] in the [[National Women's Soccer League]]<ref>[https://gopsusports.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/frankie-tagliaferri/10503 Frankie Tagliaferri], [[Penn State Nittany Lions women's soccer]]. Accessed November 30, 2023. "Hometown: Colts Neck, N.J. High School: Colts Neck."</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 71: Line 116:


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.frhsd.com/coltsneck/ Colts Neck High School website]
* [https://coltsneck.frhsd.com/ Colts Neck High School website]
*[http://www.frhsd.com/ Freehold Regional High School District website]
* [https://www.frhsd.com/ Freehold Regional High School District website]
*{{NJReportCard|25|1650|010|Colts Neck High School}}
* [https://archive.today/20131205031311/http://cnhsnjrotc.com/ Colts Neck High School N.J.R.O.T.C website]
* {{NJReportCard|25|1650|010|Colts Neck High School}}
*[http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3405610 National Center for Education Statistics data for the Freehold Regional High School District]
* [https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3405610 School Data for the Freehold Regional High School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]

{{Monmouth County, New Jersey High Schools}}
{{Freehold Regional High Schools}}
{{Shore Conference}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:High schools in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Colts Neck Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Education in Monmouth County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Howell Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Marlboro Township, New Jersey]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1998]]
[[Category:Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools]]
[[Category:Public high schools in Monmouth County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Magnet schools in New Jersey]]

Latest revision as of 01:47, 19 December 2024

Colts Neck High School
Front of school as seen from CR 537
Address
Map
59 Five Points Road

Colts Neck Township
,
Monmouth County
,
New Jersey
07722

United States
Coordinates40°16′30″N 74°12′37″W / 40.275134°N 74.210314°W / 40.275134; -74.210314
Information
TypePublic high school
Motto"Let the Tradition Begin"
Established1998
School districtFreehold Regional High School District
NCES School ID340561000237[1]
PrincipalBrian P. Donahue
Faculty96.2 FTEs[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,413 (as of 2023–24)[1]
Student to teacher ratio14.7:1[1]
Color(s)  Green
  Navy blue and
  Silver[2]
Athletics conferenceShore Conference[3]
Team nameCougars[2]
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools[5]
NewspaperThe Paw Print[4]
Websitecoltsneck.frhsd.com

Colts Neck High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Colts Neck Township, in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, serving students in ninth through twelfth grades and operating as one of the six secondary schools of the Freehold Regional High School District.[6] The school is located at the corner of County Route 537 and Five Points Road. The school serves students from all of Colts Neck Township and from portions of both Howell Township and Marlboro Township.[7] The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 2008; its accredited status extends to July 2025.[5]

As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,413 students and 96.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.7:1. There were 199 students (14.1% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 52 (3.7% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[1]

The school's mascot is the cougar,[2] which was chosen collectively by the student body in a competition. The school's motto is "Let The Tradition Begin."

History

[edit]

The earliest proposal for a high school in Colts Neck dates back to a May 1978, referendum that would have included a high school building in the township at a cost of $17 million (equivalent to $79.4 million in 2023), which was approved by Colts Neck voters but was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in the seven other constituent municipalities.[8] In 1983, there was active consideration of having Colts Neck withdraw from the regional high school system, while the district considered renaming Marlboro High School, which was attended by Colts Neck students, as Marlboro-Colts Neck High School.[9]

A 67-acre (27 ha) site was identified in 1986 as part of a project that would create a new Colts Neck High School that would cost an estimated $30 million (equivalent to $83.4 million in 2023) and could accommodate 1,300 students and would also expand other district facilities at a total cost of $36 million.[10][11] In September 1986, voters approved the referendum by a 58%-42% margin, with Colts Neck residents providing much of the margin for passage.[12] By 1988, the costs of construction of the new high school had soared by millions of dollars, exceeding the amount available from the referendum to cover the costs, leading to further delays.[13] In February 1993, a judge ruled that the district had to move forward with construction of the new high school and could not put forth a referendum to undo the 1986 vote.[14] In July 1994, the New Jersey Supreme Court refused to hear the case.[15]

Construction began in August 1996, with expectations to have the building open in September 1998 to handle 750 incoming students, with an eventual capacity for 1,300.[16]

The school opened in September 1998 as the sixth high school in the system, with 380 students in ninth and tenth grades.[17]

Since the start of the 2016–17 school year, students in grades 9 through 12 from Naval Weapons Station Earle started attending Colts Neck High School, before which they had attended Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls.[18]

Awards, recognition and rankings

[edit]

The school was the 68th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.[19] The school had been ranked 103rd in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 80th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.[20] The magazine ranked the school 109th in the magazine's September 2008 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.[21]

Schooldigger.com ranked the school tied for 72nd out of 381 public high schools statewide in its 2011 rankings (an increase of 61 positions from the 2010 ranking) which were based on the combined percentage of students classified as proficient or above proficient on the mathematics (89.4%) and language arts literacy (96.7%) components of the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).[22]

Athletics

[edit]

The Colts Neck High School Cougars[2] compete in Division B North of the Shore Conference, an athletic conference comprised of public and private high schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties along the Jersey Shore.[3][23] The league operates under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).[24] With 1,027 students in grades 10–12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group III for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 761 to 1,058 students in that grade range.[25] The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Group IV South for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 890 to 1,298 students.[26] Since the school opened in 2001, it has won numerous state, sectional, county, conference, and division titles.

The school participates with Raritan High School in a joint ice hockey team in which Freehold High School is the host school / lead agency. The co-op program operates under agreements scheduled to expire at the end of the 2023–24 school year.[27]

Girls' soccer

[edit]

In 2015, the girls' soccer team finished the season with a record of 24–0–1, winning the first Shore Conference title and the first state title for girls' soccer, defeating nationally top ranked Northern Highlands Regional High School by a score of 1–0 in the tournament final to win the Group III state championship.[28][29]

Girls' basketball

[edit]

The girls' basketball program set a single season record for wins in 2009 and won the Group IV state championship, defeating Columbia High School by a score of 58–52 in the tournament final.[30][31] The team finished the season with a 29–4 record after losing in the finals of the Tournament of Champions by a score of 56–44 to St. John Vianney High School, which won their sixth Tournament of Champions title.[32] In 2008 they won the Shore Conference Tournament with a 55–47 win over Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in triple overtime, the first public high school to win the conference title since 1989.[33]

Girls bowling

[edit]

The girls bowling team won the Group II state championship in 2019.[34][35]

Girls field hockey

[edit]

The 2017 field hockey team won the North II Group III state sectional championship with a 2–0 victory against Freehold High School.[36][37]

Cross country / track & field

[edit]

The cross country running and track program (in particular distance running) has been one of the school's most successful teams. The girls' cross country team has been nationally ranked three times, during the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons. The team also qualified for Nike Team Nationals in 2006 and finished 4th with Ashley Higginson (1st place), Briana Jackucewicz, Allison Donaghy, Kristen O'Dowd, Erin Donaghy, Allie Flott, Morgan Clark, and Allison Linnell (Linnell attended MAST.)[38] This 2006 girls' team had wins at the 2006 Shore Conference, Monmouth County, Central Jersey Group IV, NJ Group IV, and NJ Meet of Champions.[39] The cross country program also has produced three Foot Locker finalists (Briana Jackucewicz, Craig Forys, and Ashley Higginson).[40]

The girls won state group cross country team titles in Group I in 2000, in Group III in 2005 and 2016–2018, and in Group IV in 2006.[41]

The boys won the state Group III title in 2016.[42]

The indoor and outdoor track and field program has also been extremely successful having won six national titles, the boys indoor distance medley relay 2005, girls indoor 4 x 1-mile (1.61 km) Relay 2006 & 2007, boys indoor 2 mile (Craig Forys) 2007, girls indoor and outdoor 2 mile (Ashley Higginson) 2007. The track program also has produced numerous state champions and has held numerous state records, the most notable being the boys' 4 x 800 relay set in 2005 with a time of 7:39.54.[43] Craig Forys set the New Jersey State 3000 meters and two-mile (3.2 km) records and Ashley Higginson set the New Jersey State 2 mile, 5000 meter and 2000 meter steeplechase records.[44] The boys have won state group team titles in indoor track in Group III in 2016 and 2017.[45]

The girls spring / outdoor track team won the Group III state championship in 2021.[46]

Boys' basketball

[edit]

In the 2015–16 season, the boys' basketball team captured its first state title, defeating crosstown rival Freehold Township High School by a score of 45–44 in the Central Jersey Group IV tournament final.[47]

Boys' soccer

[edit]

The team won the Group I championship in 2000, defeating runner-up Whippany Park High School by a score of 4–2 in the tournament final.[48][49]

Softball

[edit]

The softball team won the Group III state championship in 2021, defeating Cranford High School in the tournament final.[50]

Administration

[edit]

The school's principal is Brian P. Donahue. His core administration team includes two assistant principals.[51]

Other high schools in the district

[edit]

Attendance at each of the district's high schools is based on where the student lives in relation to the district's high schools. While many students attend the school in their hometown, others attend a school located outside their own municipality.[7] In order to balance enrollment, district lines are redrawn for the six schools to address issues with overcrowding and spending in regards to transportation. The other five schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[52]) with their attendance zones for incoming students are:[53][54][55][56]

Notable alumni

[edit]
See also: Category:Colts Neck High School alumni

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e School data for Colts Neck High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Colts Neck High School, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Shore Conference Realignment for 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, Shore Conference. Accessed November 15, 2020.
  4. ^ Home Page, The Paw Print. Accessed October 4, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Colts Neck High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed December 18, 2024.
  6. ^ Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Freehold Regional High School District, June 30, 2018. Accessed January 15, 2020. "Geographically, the District is comprised of the Townships of Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro and the Boroughs of Englishtown, Farmingdale and Freehold. Established in 1953, the District's total area is 198 square miles."
  7. ^ a b FRHSD Attendance Boundaries; Which High School Will My Child Attend?, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024. "The following is a list of streets, by municipality, that are assigned to a Freehold Regional District high school outside of their hometown."
  8. ^ Kahn, Joan. "Stung by Criticism", The Daily Register, May 19, 1978. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Stung by the overwhelming rejection this week of a referendum which would have given Colts Neck a high school within its boundaries, the Board of Education last night decided to set up an 11-member Citizens Advisory Committee to recommend plans for the district's high school students. Colts Neck is one of eight members of the Freehold Regional High School district, whose $24 million building program, including the construction of a $17 million new high school here, went down to a 6 to 1 defeat, with only Colts Neck voters giving the proposal a narrow edge of approval among the district members."
  9. ^ "School name change nixed", Daily Register, June 2, 1983. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "The local Board of Education last night sided with opponents of a proposal to change the name of Marlboro High School to Marlboro-Colts Neck High School, which is before the Freehold Regional Board of Education.... Still another argument is the uncertainty of the regional district's future in general, and specifically the future of Colts Neck students at what is now Marlboro High School. Colts Neck has sought to build its own high school as part of a proposal to dissolve the regional district."
  10. ^ "Colts Neck high school site chosen", Asbury Park Press, January 31, 1986. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "A site for construction of a high school in the township was announced by the Township Committee last night.... Upon the recommendation of H. Victor Crespy, superintendent of the Freehold Regional High School district, the committee will look into the purchase of about 70 acres of the 130-acre site. Crespy was instrumental in finding a site, Caponegro said. A $33 million project, which would include construction of a new high school in Colts Neck, as well as additions to three other high schools in the regional district, is being considered. A referendum on the project is expected to be held later this year."
  11. ^ "Regional high school building plan nears vote", Asbury Park Press, August 13, 1986. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "With the state granting approval earlier this week to drawings for the new building, Colts Neck Township is another step closer to getting a high school In May, the Freehold Regional Board of Education approved the schematic drawings for the school, which will provide classroom facilities for 1,300 students.... The proposal calls for the high school to be built on a 67-acre site at the southeast corner of the intersection of Route 537 and Five Points Road. Construction of the school could begin by late summer or the fall of 1987 if residents approve the referendum. The school could open 24 to 36 months after that."
  12. ^ Johnson, Mary Gay. "To be built in Colts Neck; New high school gets voter OK", The Register, October 1, 1986. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "A strong voter turnout in Marlboro and Colts Neck townships provided enough momentum last night for passage of the $36.4 million Freehold Regional High School District referendum by a margin of more than 800 votes. With the approved referendum, residents in the district will get a new high school slated for Colts Neck, along with millions worth of repairs and renovations at four other area high schools."
  13. ^ Arnold, Laurence. "Colts Neck high school fight hits roadblock", The Register, December 4, 1988. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Now, that fight may end up in court. At issue is how the school board deals with a budget shortfall between the voter-approved $36 million and what is now thought to be a price tag rising several million dollars above that. The boards decision to go ahead with four renovation projects on area high schools but to postpone the largest project the construction of Colts Neck High School has prompted threats of legal action by outraged township officials."
  14. ^ Skerritt, Andrew J. "Building of school ordered by judge", Asbury Park Press, February 19, 1993. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Colts Neck Township may finally get its high school. Superior Court Judge Patrick J. McGann Jr. has ordered the Freehold Regional High School District to begin building the much-delayed school in Colts Neck. And the district cannot hold a referendum asking voters to reverse their decision to issue bonds to finance the school's construction. McGann said in a ruling obtained yesterday."
  15. ^ Bradfield, Ellen. "Mandate to build school is upheld; By refusing to hear an appeal, the state Supreme Court lets stand a lower court ruling ordering construction of a Colts Neck Township high school.", Asbury Park Press, July 21, 1994. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "The state's highest court has upheld the position that the Freehold Regional High School District must comply with a 1986 referendum to build a new high school here. On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court issued its denial of the regional board's petition to hear an appeal of a 1993 decision by state Superior Court Judge Patrick J. McGann Jr. ordering the regional board to proceed immediately with plans to construct the school. A further petition to the Appellate Division was denied earlier this year."
  16. ^ Sergeant, Jacqueline. "Work begins on school building; A groundbreaking for Colts Neck High School has been scheduled for September even though work has started.", Asbury Park Press, August 9, 1996. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "The groundbreaking ceremony hasn't happened yet, but construction is already under way on the sixth school in the Freehold Regional School District An official groundbreaking for the new high school, which had been scheduled for early summer, will now be held in September, said Fred Young, the district's deputy superintendent in charge of curriculum and instruction.... The 73,000-square-foot field at Route 537 and Five Points Road has been buzzing with workers on tractors, clearing and leveling the field, Young said.... The target opening date of September 1998 is still intact. The high school initially will house 750 students. But the building is being designed to accommodate 1,300 in the long run."
  17. ^ Ryan, Harriet. "A clean slate in every classroom; New Colts Neck High School ready for a year fall of firsts", Asbury Park Press, August 31, 1988. Accessed April 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Today is the last day Colts Neck High School will be perfect. By tomorrow afternoon, back-to-school shoes will have scuffed some of the shine off the floors.... The Freehold Regional High School District's sixth high school is a state-of-the art building that will draw 380 freshmen and sophomores this year from throughout the district and be staffed by 30 teachers handpicked from hundreds of applicants."
  18. ^ Daniels, Rosemary. "NWS Earle Students To Attend Colts Neck HS", The Two River Times, April 20, 2016. Accessed December 17, 2024. "Thanks to an agreement between the Navy, Monmouth County School Administration, and the Freehold Regional School District, 15 high school-age children from the Naval Weapons Station (NWS Earle) will transition from Monmouth Regional High School, Tinton Falls, to Colts Neck High School as of September 2016.... The main side of the Earle complex is located in Colts Neck, and according to public relations liaison William Addison, the residents there patronize many of the local businesses."
  19. ^ Staff. "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014", New Jersey Monthly, September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.
  20. ^ Staff. "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2012. Accessed September 23, 2012.
  21. ^ "Top New Jersey High Schools 2010: By Rank", New Jersey Monthly, September 2010, Accessed September 1, 2010.
  22. ^ New Jersey High School Rankings: 11th Grade HSPA Language Arts Literacy & HSPA Math 2010-2011[permanent dead link‍], Schooldigger.com. Accessed February 27, 2012.
  23. ^ Member Schools, Shore Conference. Accessed November 15, 2020.
  24. ^ League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  25. ^ NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  26. ^ NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2024–2026, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  27. ^ NJSIAA Winter Cooperative Sports Programs, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed December 1, 2020.
  28. ^ NJSIAA History of Girls Soccer, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed January 1, 2022.
  29. ^ Christie, Sherlon. "Girls Soccer: Colts Neck stuns Northern Highlands, No. 1 team in USA", Asbury Park Press, December 10, 2015. Accessed December 14, 2016. "The Colts Neck girls soccer team completed the most improbable season in the history of New Jersey girls soccer.... Beat the No. 1 high school girls soccer team in the USA while winning your school's first NJSIAA Group III state title and complete an undefeated season in the process. Well, that's immortality."
  30. ^ Girls Basketball Championship History: 1919–2024, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated March 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  31. ^ Williams, Tony. "CHS Girls Fall to Colts Neck A 58-52 loss in Toms River ends the season for the Cougars.", South Orange, NJ Patch, March 16, 2009. Accessed November 16, 2020. "The Columbia girls' basketball season came to a bitter end, Sunday, after a close 58-52 loss to Colts Neck, in the NJSIAA Group IV State Championship. Spearheaded by 23 points apiece from Lauren Clarke and the West Virginia-bound Brooke Hampton, the Colts Neck Cougars (27-3) used mini second-half spurts and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to knock off the Columbia Cougars (22-5)."
  32. ^ Stephenson, Colin. "St. John Vianney defeats Colt's Neck, 56-44, to win Girls' Tournament of Champions for the sixth time", The Star-Ledger, March 23, 2009. Accessed June 27, 2011.
  33. ^ Morris, Tim; and McKenzie, Doug. "Colts Neck captures first Shore Conference crown", News Transcript, February 27, 2008. Accessed December 30, 2020. "In a memorial semifinal that matched two teams that were too stubborn to give in and too proud to lose, the Cougars won a triple-overtime marathon, 55-47, over Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School.... 'We felt that the fast play was in our favor,' said Truhan, whose team became the first public school to win the SCT since Neptune in 1989."
  34. ^ History of NJSIAA Girls Bowling Championships, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  35. ^ Tartaglia, Greg. "A 'great' day lifts Toms River North to second straight NJSIAA girls bowling crown", Asbury Park Press, February 11, 2019. Accessed December 30, 2020. "The Shore Conference swept every trophy, with the runner-up Patriots (2,678) winning Group 3. They, Group 2 Colts Neck (2,500) and Group 1 St. John Vianney (2,207) all earned their first state titles."
  36. ^ History of NJSIAA Field Hockey Championships, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  37. ^ Pierce, Les. "Colts Neck Field Hockey Captures First Ever State Title", Colts Neck Journal, January 12, 2018. Accessed December 30, 2020. "Colts Neck captured the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 NJSIAA State Sectional championship via a 2-0 win over crosstown rival Freehold Borough. The Colonials arrived on the field as the defending champions, but the Cougars seemed unimpressed and took control of the play early on."
  38. ^ Northeast Region Week 11 rankings, dated November 3, 2006.
  39. ^ Newman, Josh. "Joe Lykes, Colts Neck, girls' cross country" Archived March 26, 2012, at archive.today, Asbury Park Press, December 9, 2006. Accessed June 27, 2011. "Colts Neck picked up wins at the Monmouth County, Shore Conference, Central Jersey Group IV and Group IV championship and the Meet of Champions."
  40. ^ Bloom, Marc. "High School Running; Great Expectations Come in Threes", The New York Times, November 20, 2005. Accessed January 16, 2020.
  41. ^ NJSIAA Girls Cross Country State Group Champions, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed January 1, 2022.
  42. ^ NJSIAA Boys Cross Country State Group Champions, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed January 1, 2022.
  43. ^ Boys' high school top performers: 2005 rankings, USA Today, accessed March 17, 2007
  44. ^ Morris, Tim. "Cougars' Forys smashes three state records in single race" Archived August 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, News Transcript, May 9, 2007. Accessed August 3, 2008.
  45. ^ Boys Winter Track and Field Championship History: 1922-2023, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated November 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  46. ^ NJSIAA Girls Spring Track Summary of Group Titles, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  47. ^ Christie, Sherlon. "Boys Hoops: Colts Neck's Brendan Clarke hits shot of a lifetime", Asbury Park Press, March 7, 2016. Accessed October 22, 2019. "Clarke’s shot of a lifetime gave No. 2 seed Colts Neck a 45–44 victory over No. 4 seed Freehold Township in the NJSIAA Central Group IV final on Monday night, earning Colts Neck’s first sectional title for the boys basketball program."
  48. ^ NJSIAA History of Boys Soccer, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed January 1, 2022.
  49. ^ Holt, Bryan. "A Group of Champions", Asbury Park Press, November 30, 2000. Accessed November 16, 2020. "In just its second season of existence, the Colts Neck boys soccer team made a magical run through the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs, concluding the season with the Group I state title.... The Cougars captured the Group I title Nov. 18 with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Whippany Park at Kean University."
  50. ^ Softball Championship History 1972–2023, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated July 2023. Accessed April 1, 2024.
  51. ^ Administration, Colts Neck High School. Accessed December 17, 2024.
  52. ^ School Data for the Freehold Regional High School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.
  53. ^ Building Contact Information, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.
  54. ^ County School List E-G, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2024.
  55. ^ School Performance Reports for the Freehold Regional High School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.
  56. ^ New Jersey School Directory for the Freehold Regional High School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  57. ^ Freehold High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.
  58. ^ Howell High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.
  59. ^ Howell High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.
  60. ^ Manalapan High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.
  61. ^ Marlboro High School, Freehold Regional High School District. Accessed December 17, 2024.
  62. ^ Jake Areman, Monmouth Hawks men's soccer. Accessed August 31, 2022. "Hometown: Freehold, NJ; High School: Colts Neck"
  63. ^ Curtis, Charles. "Marlins' Anthony DeSclafani, N.J native and Colts Neck HS grad, makes MLB debut", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 15, 2014, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2020. "Anthony DeSclafani, who grew up in Howell, N.J. and graduated from Colts Neck High School, had a little bit of pressure on him: He was the pitcher called up Wednesday to replace Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, who was done for the season and had Tommy John surgery on the horizon."
  64. ^ "Former Colts Neck star Ashley Higginson, one of the top steeplechasers in the nation, spoke to Hillsborough cross-country team", The Star-Ledger, September 5, 2014, updated August 25, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2020. "This past Tuesday, NJ distance running legend Ashley Higginson, who starred at Colts Neck High and Princeton University, spoke to the girls cross-country team at Hillsborough about her journey."
  65. ^ "The Next Big Thing In America’s Woman Soccer League — Ugandan Born Otandeka Laki,17", Uganda Diaspora News, August 7, 2013. Accessed February 23, 2022. "Otandeka Laki, 17, started her career in elementary school playing for recreational teams in Marlboro Township.... A member of an elite soccer club Match Fit United, Oti a senior at Colts Neck High High School in New Jersey is currently the leading goal scorer in her league and someone with a future in the American Women’s Soccer league."
  66. ^ Frankie Tagliaferri, Penn State Nittany Lions women's soccer. Accessed November 30, 2023. "Hometown: Colts Neck, N.J. High School: Colts Neck."
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