OBHS has record number of college-bound graduates BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer OLD BRIDGE - An overwhelming number of the township's high school graduates have decided to give it the old college try. According to Superintendent of Schools Simon Bosco, 91 percent of graduating students are going on to either two- or four-year colleges. The students earned more than $20 million in scholarships. "I think that's pretty impressive," Bosco said. "I think it's just the overall attitude and performance of the district across the board." Bosco said this year boasts the greatest percentage of college-bound graduates in the history of the town, including the days when Madison Park High School was in existence. Further, he said, graduates from Old Bridge are attending five out of seven Ivy League universities next year. "We're performing at a level that's equal to the upper-district factor groups," Bosco said. "We do all of this for more than $2,000 per pupil under the state average." The state categorizes school districts in factor groups, taking a variety of socioeconomic factors into account. Old Bridge schools fall into the middle of the rankings. Old Bridge High School's college center processed more than 3,000 college applications for its 733 graduates this year, according to Grace Patella, the center's clerk. The center holds a college fair for students each year in October. Patella said part of the reason for the increase could be related to the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) program. Through it, students in the top 20 percent of their graduating high school classes are able to receive free tuition to attend two-year community colleges in New Jersey. From there, if the student earns an associate degree with a grade-point average of at least 3.0, they are eligible to have their tuition paid at any state college or university. "It's a great program," Patella said. "We have a lot more students getting involved." Board of Education President Frank Piccillo commended everyone in the district who plays a part in the achievements of the students. "It's a team effort," Piccillo said. "When kids succeed in 12th grade and go to college or trade schools, it doesn't happen overnight. It happens from the day they're born. That's where the bond starts - with the parents and the teachers." According to Piccillo, keeping in close communication with parents has had a lot to do with the success of the students. An open link between the Board of Education, central office administration and the parents has allowed for problems students may have to be nipped in the bud before they are able to escalate, Piccillo said. "We built a stronger parental relationship," Piccillo said. "We've always had a strong relationship with parents, but now we're strengthening it." Bosco said now that concerns dealing with the district as a whole have been dealt with, there is more room to focus on what is most important - the students. As part of that, he said, the board has been extremely supportive and is always looking into improving the programs offered at the high school. "We have a very, very strong college prep curriculum," Bosco said. He added that course offerings for students not planning to attend college are also comprehensive, with improvements continuing to take place. The school offers 20 business electives, eight consumer science classes and 20 industrial technology/co-op courses. Along with Piscataway High School, Old Bridge offers the highest number of industrial technology courses of any nonvocational high school in the county. According to Bosco, vocal critics of school staff, board and administrators can serve to lower the morale of those on the receiving end of their criticism. "We engage the staff from the board on down," Bosco said. "Often, we don't recognize our own strengths." He said Piccillo has gone above and beyond to recognize teachers' achievements and let them know they are appreciated. Piccillo acknowledged the encouragement given to teachers, stressing the importance of what they do for the students. "Teachers have a passion," Piccillo said. "And I think the passion for the whole profession has been raised a lot." He also had words of praise for Bosco, saying his leadership style, along with the initiatives he has taken as superintendent, have helped lead the district in the right direction. Bosco cited the high school's guidance department as playing a large role in steering students toward reaching their goals. "Our guidance department takes a great deal of criticism from people all the time," Bosco said. "Obviously, our counselors are doing something right."