Welcome to the CRHS 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 2024-2025 school year, Cumberland Regional High School will offer seven academy programs:
Biomedical Life Sciences Academy
Information Technology Academy
To apply to a CRHS Academy for the 2024-2025 school year, students are asked to complete the online application, or print and complete the application 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. 19, 2024.
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 through the student's current school's Guidance/Counseling Office, or by contacting the CRHS academy of interest directly.
Students who successfully complete an academy-rated elective course and have a teacher recommendation may join the academy after their freshmen year if there are available spots. For example, students in Intro to Agriculture, Foods, and Natural Resources (AFNR) can join the Academy Track for Agricultural Sciences; students in Dramatic Arts and Public Speaking can move to Dramatic Arts 2 Academy; students in Computer Science Essentials can go to Intro to Computer Programming Academy; students in Business and Computers I can go to Business and Computers II-Principles of Business and Economics Honors. However due to the limited number of sections available, enrollment for the Biomedical Life Sciences, Justice Studies and STEM academies is open only to incoming freshmen at CRHS.
For out-of-district students, you must apply for a student choice seat following the directions on our School Choice Webpage, with a deadline to start the process of being November 17, 2023. Once you have a choice seat, the student can then apply for an Academy, including the Agricultural Sciences Academy. Only applying to an Academy does NOT secure a place at Cumberland Regional High School for students who reside out-of-district.
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
- English Literature and Composition
- U.S. Government
- U.S. History
- World History
CRHS has an Early College High School Program, which allows freshmen students to schedule college courses while in high school and potentially earn their Associate's Degree during their Senior year. Please see the Early College High School website for more information.
In addition, students in academy programs or traditional-route programs have the opportunity to earn credit for courses at local colleges by successfully completing dual-credit courses including:
- Agricultural Science-Animal
- Agricultural Science-Plant
- Food Science and Safety
- Agricultural Research and Development
- Calculus
- English Literature and Composition
- Administration of Justice
- Advanced Language Arts IV
- Dramatic Arts 2
- Dramatic Arts 3
- human Rights
- Latin III
- Latin IV
- Spanish 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 (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 2024-2025 school year is Jan. 19, 2024. For out-of-district students, you must apply for a student choice seat following the direction on our School Choice webpage, with a deadline to start the process being November 17, 2023.
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
Biomedical Life Sciences Academy: 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: Mrs. Tiffany Simons-Palmieri, simons-palmieri@crhsd.org & Mr. Ed Sayre, sayre@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