Vernon Township High School

I don't know what happened to the kids whose parents gave bad reviews here. I would guess that they would have the same "problems" anywhere. And some people complain all the time, usually they don't do anything either. The bottom line is you have to take the initiative to get the most out of any school system. Both of my kids graduated from here, and both are doing very well. The school has great activities....sports, music, etc. Many schools cut their programs but at Vernon this is not the case.
--Submitted by a parent

Fights, drug deals in the hallways, & a principal that likes to handle things 'in house'. When the county does a drug sweep, they need 2 buses just for this school. Last year a kid overdosed in class. Another was thrown through a window during lunch. This is a rural community. If you are a diligent parent, it is possible to get your child an education. Mine is an honor student & an athlete...he should be able to earn a scholarship if we can get him noticed, but that is not likely. The school ranks nearly 200th in his sport, compared to the rest of the state. Academically, it is also ranked around 160, I believe. My son is a Junior. My daughter is 11. My 3 other children are pre school age. My best advice: GO LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE.When our son graduates we are moving far away. Run. Hurry-
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school and all of the extracurricular activities it offers. Great teachers and a fun environment.
--Submitted by a student

As a student at Vernon, I can't help but be a little upset about the things people are saying about it. The teachers are very good at what they do, and wouldn't have been higherd therwise, because there are rules and guidelines set in place for the selection of new teachers. If a kid hangs out with people who pressure them to do poorly, that is their own fault, and teachers can't be blamed for the small percentage of students who sleep their way through the day. The staff is trained in what to do in certain situations, and if you bothered to read the handbook, you would find that they are supposed to notify the police first if a student is potentially dangerous to prevent harm to any other person in the building. I have found my time at Vernon to be educational, fun, and even useful for my future.
--Submitted by a student

The teacher salaries are too high ahd the general quality and effort put forth by many teachers is low. There is no effort on the part of the administration to weed out the bad apples in the bunch. The passing grade is too low. The standard should be brought back up to 70%. The lack of technology is appalling. The highschool has one of the poorest websites of any school district in NJ and this is what my tax dollar is paying for. I have put 3 children through the VTSD and the only one that received a decent education, graduated in 2001. It's been down hill since then
--Submitted by a parent

It's too easy for students to slip between the cracks at this school! Most teachers are hired because they have political connections, so there's a large percentage of mediocre educators teaching our children. ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD'S RIGHTS!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school, very nice programs!
--Submitted by a student

For the most part the staff is on a power trip, and as a result forgetting what effective teaching really is. Many young ladies and gentlemen end up slipping through the cracks, it is really sad. The lack of morals and values is quite absurd. Lastly, the administration should consider hiring and agency to instruct them on how to run a school with real rules that apply to all.
--Submitted by a former student

The last 3 people to rate these schools HAD gone to Vernon township high school or been a parent of a past student. As a freshman in college I look back on my years at Vernon and stand firm with my opinion that this school is not helping kids for further education. My 2nd semester starts with and intro to lit where I have no idea about some of the concepts that are coming. I was a CP student with a vigorous 8 straight classes a day. I was accepted to a private university where I am majoring in biology. Vernon teachers did not help me to prepare for anything to do with the knoledge that I am learning now. The closest I got to learning any grammer was from a 3rd year spanish teacher.
--Submitted by Sean Miller, a former student

I went to VTHS about 10 years ago. I have great pride and confidence in the teachers i've had, aside from a few. They have a wonderful understanding of every student. VTHS gave me the chance to interact with every peer there. Athletics and extracurricular were wonderful. Even though the football team was 0-9, we enjoyed the season and had fun. The coaches are very supportive of student decisions and respectful toward other sports, which is very uncommon. There is something here for everyone, you really have to make the attempt not to be involved in something. Every activity is exciting in its own way. The thing that influenced me the most is the science dept. It has prepared me to become a science teacher myself, and i don't think i would have made it to college if it weren't for one particular science teacher. I recommend it whole heartedly!
--Submitted by Mike, a parent