Academies
Welcome to the CRHS Academies!
General Information about the Academy Programs at Cumberland Regional High School
The academy programs at Cumberland Regional High School (CRHS) offer students the opportunity to pursue progressively rigorous studies and advanced learning experiences in a targeted field of interest. Each academy at CRHS allows students to develop knowledge and skills necessary to achieve post-secondary educational and/or career success.
As of the 2023-2024 school year, Cumberland Regional High School will offer seven academy programs:
Agricultural Sciences
Academy
Biomedical Life Sciences Academy
Business Academy
Dramatic Arts Academy
Information Technology Academy
Justice Studies Academy
STEM Academy
To apply to a CRHS Academy for the 2023-2024 school year, students are asked to complete the online application, or print and complete the paper application (also available through the CRHS constituent district schools' guidance offices) and submit it to Mrs. Bonnie Powers at CRHS, 90 Silver Lake Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302, or by email to powers@crhsd.org by the deadline of Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should I choose to enroll in a Cumberland Regional High School academy program?
Established in 1977, Cumberland Regional High School is a proven institution of secondary education that blends experience and tradition with forward-thinking programming to effectively promote college and career readiness and a lifelong love of learning. The academy programs now being implemented at CRHS allow students to take strategic steps toward their goals for the future through the development of knowledge and skills necessary to compete successfully in the global workforce. The CRHS academy model is a culmination of years of experience and curriculum refinement, designed to couple evidence-based classroom instruction with supplemental, hands-on learning experiences that thoroughly prepare students to maximize their potential as young adults. With the addition of the academy model to a district with dedicated and talented staff, established athletics and extracurricular programming, and a network of community support, Cumberland Regional remains the premier educational option for local youth.
Who is eligible to enroll in the CRHS academy programs?
Each of the CRHS academies is open to students from the Cumberland Regional constituent districts of Deerfield, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hopewell with Shiloh, Stow Creek, and Upper Deerfield. Students should apply to these academies during eighth grade by submitting an application/interest form through the student's current school's Guidance Office, or by contacting the CRHS academy of interest directly.
CRHS freshmen who complete the Drama I course during ninth grade may apply to the Dramatic Arts Academy at the end of freshman year. However, enrollment for the Agricultural Sciences, Biomedical Life Sciences, Business, IT, Justice Studies, and STEM academies is open only to incoming freshmen at CRHS.
In addition, out-of-district students (students who do not reside in one of the Cumberland Regional constituent districts) may apply to the Agricultural Sciences Academy through the Interdistrict Public School Choice program. The deadline for out-of-district students to apply to the Agricultural Sciences Academy through School Choice is in December of the school year preceding enrollment.
Do I have to enroll in an academy program if I want to attend Cumberland Regional High School?
No, CRHS also offers traditional-route College Preparatory, Honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) programs of study that are designed to prepare students for post-secondary success.
Advanced Placement classes offered at CRHS include:
Biology
Calculus AB
Chemistry
U.S. Government
U.S. History I
U.S. History II
In addition, students in academy programs or traditional-route programs have the opportunity to earn credit for courses at Cumberland County College by successfully completing dual-credit courses including:
Administration of Justice
Advanced Language Arts IV
Plant and Soil Science
Agricultural Science - Plant
Advanced Visual Basic
C++
Drama III
Can students enrolled in an academy program participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs?
Absolutely -- in fact, CRHS strongly encourages all our students to get involved in extracurricular activities to explore a range of interests and to support a well-rounded education. While the academies connect students with subject-centered extracurricular opportunities through groups like the Technology Student Association (TSA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the International Thespian Honor Society, and the National Technical Honor Society, academy students also may participate in any of the other extracurricular programs at CRHS.
Will students enrolled in an academy program have the chance to take classes not directly related to their academy focus?
Yes. Although each academy program offers a rigorous, four-year sequence of core courses designed to maximize participating students' development in a targeted area of interest, each academy's curriculum also includes coursework in math, English language arts, social studies, world languages, and health/physical education. In addition, CRHS guidance counselors will work with students to try to accommodate other interests by incorporating elective classes into their course schedules as possible. Academy students also are provided the opportunity to explore their interests through extracurricular activities such as clubs, field trips, and special events.
How can I get involved with the CRHS academies?
Prospective students and/or their parents/guardians:
Complete a non-binding application/interest form (also available through the student's current school's Guidance Office) and submit to Mrs. Bonnie Powers at CRHS, 90 Silver Lake Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 / powers@crhsd.org, or via the student's current school Guidance Office. The deadline to apply to the CRHS academy programs for the 2023-2024 school year is Friday, Jan. 20, 2023 Please note the deadline for out-of-district students to apply to the Agricultural Sciences Academy through School Choice is Nov. 30, 2022.
Constituent district staff and administration:
CRHS academy leaders welcome ideas, feedback, and discussion with our partners in education from the Cumberland Regional constituent districts. To get in touch with Cumberland Regional administrators and/or staff regarding the CRHS academy programs, please contact CRHS Director of Curriculum Mrs. Bonnie Powers at powers@crhsd.org or 856-451-9400, ext. 259, and/or contact the following CRHS academy leaders:
Agricultural Sciences Academy: Ms. Nicole Smith, smithn@crhsd.org / Mrs. Patty Thorne, thorne@crhsd.org
Biomedical Life Sciences Academy: Mr. John Van de Zilver, vandezilver@crhsd.org / Ms. Allison Ninfa, ninfa@crhsd.org
Business Academy: Mrs. Christine Fuller, fuller@crhsd.org
Dramatic Arts Academy: Mrs. Elisabeth Campbell, campbelle@crhsd.org
Information Technology Academy: Mr. Ed Sayre, sayre@crhsd.org
Justice Studies Academy: Mr. Gene Thomas, thomas@crhsd.org
STEM Academy: Mr. Ed Sayre, sayre@crhsd.org / Mrs. Kathleen Weist, weist@crhsd.org
Community leaders:
The Cumberland Regional School District sincerely appreciates the ongoing support of our community partners and welcomes community involvement in our academy programs. Community leaders with expertise and insight into the industries targeted by the CRHS academies may help guide the futures of these program through participation in subject-specific CRHS advisory councils. In addition, community leaders are invited to support the CRHS academy programs through connections to job-shadowing and internship experiences, field trips, guest speakers and workshop facilitators, and sponsorships and donations.
To get in touch with Cumberland Regional administrators and/or staff regarding the CRHS academy programs, community leaders may contact CRHS Director of Curriculum Mrs. Bonnie Powers at powers@crhsd.org