Black Horse Pike Named A Lighthouse District

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Black Horse Pike Regional School District is one of seven school districts that has been recognized “for illuminating the path toward academic growth and student success,” the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE)announced this week.

The Lighthouse District Initiative is a result of conversations with many educators, families, community members, and students who encouraged the state to focus on growth. Through the Lighthouse District Initiative, the NJDOE is highlighting districts that have, over the past several years, achieved academic growth in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics with diverse student groups.

The Lighthouse Districts have demonstrated student academic progress as a result of setting high academic standards, using assessment data to identify each and every student’s needs, and working tirelessly to provide the necessary educational supports.

“Lighthouse Districts show what types of academic gains are possible when visionary, instructional leaders, dedicated educators, and supportive board members work together on behalf of the children in their community,” New Jersey Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington said. “The Lighthouse Districts show that New Jersey is on the right path; their success has been contingent upon building a community of educators, students, and families who believe each and every student can and will excel beyond New Jersey’s high academic standards.”

The Black Horse Pike Regional School District, which consists of Highland, Timber Creek and Triton regional high schools, has a total enrollment of 3,672, 29.7 percent of which are disadvantaged students, according to the district.

It has committed cross-school curricular supervisors of instruction in each major department, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Repici. It also has ELA and Math coaches that analyze data and help teachers determine instructional direction.

• Mainland Regional (Atlantic County);
• Beverly City (Burlington County);
• Cape May City (Cape May County);
• Highlands (Monmouth County);
• Mine Hill (Morris County); and
• Washington Township (Warren County).

“By highlighting the best practices of the Lighthouse Districts, districts across the state can benefit from resources that come directly from their peers and illustrates how closing the achievement gap is possible,” State Board of Education President Arcelio Aponte said.

There are plenty of examples from Black Horse Pike, where the graduation rate has continued to rise every year for the last five years.

“We just look at every single kid,” Repici said.

When Repici transitioned into the role of superintendent, he says he knew how important it was to listen to his community and its needs. The administration meets with students and teachers multiple times throughout the year to give them a chance to have their voices heard.

“Superintendent Repici has built a community with a lot of buy-in because he really listens to students and teachers and then responds,” Supervisor of Planning, Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Special Projects Mary-Alice Baratta said.

The district uses the data points for attendance, grades, and performance on assessments to tell each student’s story. Baratta continually asks "what's behind the data?” Data from sending schools, as well as qualitative analysis, allows the administration to place students in targeted classes. District educators also spend time examining the reasons students perform the way they do on assessments, taking out-of-school factors into account. This enables the administration to create focused action plans for specific students based on their needs.

“We’ve implemented restorative disciplinary practices with students and improved our professional development efforts so our staff are the primary force delivering professional development,” Repici said.

The district also places an emphasis on individualized instruction. Teachers provide interventions during Common Lunch Enrichment Period, called ‘Lunch and Learn.’

Math Teacher Kim Loring also recognizes the presence of math tutors in the building. The district employs retired math teachers to tutor students, creating even more opportunities for math interventions with struggling students. These focused math sessions foster the growth that Loring sees on common benchmark assessments throughout the year.

Full-day Professional Learning Community (PLCs) meetings throughout the year have helped the three high schools of Black Horse Pike achieve vertical and horizontal alignment.

“We are committed to giving the Lighthouse districts the platform to be models for how to use data to tell the story about what students need and to support other districts in lighting their own path for their students’ success,” Harrington said.

The attached image was provided by the Black Horse Pike Regional School District