The air is different at Haddonfield Memorial High School compared to many schools.
According to Principal Chuck Klaus, the atmosphere is filled with respect and high expectations at a level that would be expected more on a college campus.
“We set high standards. We expect (students are) going to live up to those,” said Klaus.
Tuition students included.
In fact, it’s impossible to see any difference between Haddonfield and tuition students when walking through the halls, he said.
“We don’t label them as tuition students,” he said. “They’re very well accepted.”
In part through the district’s program geared toward bringing in more students from other schools to grades six through 12, the school tax levy was able to remain flat in the 2012 budget.
The program, which is the largest source of alternative revenue for the district, has been an intricate source for the district for several years, but was explored deeper following deep cuts in state funding a few years ago, according to Superintendent Dr. Richard Perry.
In recent years, the revenue brought in from the program has risen from $215,049 in the 2009–2010 school year to $321,758 in 2011–2012, said Business Administrator Dawn Leary.
“This has become a very important part of our budget,” said Perry. “It offers tax relief.”
Students are admitted to the middle school at the rate of $9,600 and to the high school for $11,250 per year, he said, and once they’re in the schools, they stay.
Ninth-grader Sasha Rosen made the switch to the high school from Haddon Heights this year.
“There are a lot more activities,” said Rosen.
Plus, plenty more school spirit.
Rosen is involved in athletics, first on the soccer team and now on the basketball team, and she is a member of the student council.
The move, she said, was a good one for her.
Transitioning was a breeze for 11th-grade student Natalie Motolese of Washington Township as well.
Motolese is a third-year student in the program who plays field hockey and softball, among other activities.
“It’s really different than the school district where I came from,” she said. “It’s a lot smaller.”
Tuition committee member Renee Janowicz said the program has exceeded expectations in part because of the opinions voiced by tuition students themselves, school staff and open house events.
Principal’s Secretary Carol Barbano, who answers the phones and helps direct parents through the process, is a stand out, Janowicz said.
“She’s the first voice people hear when they call the number,” she said.
The students aren’t overwhelmed when making the switch, said Perry, due to the small school environment.
Perry said the district has a history of high academics, performing arts and athletic programs, which aids in the appeal.
“We don’t believe any school district can match us with those three areas,” said Perry.
The district is consistently rated as a rewards school, with top academic rankings in the state and nation, he said.
Currently, there are 31 tuition students at the high school and eight in the middle school, with students hailing from towns around Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties, said Perry.
Ninth-grade has seen the highest level of tuition students, with 14 enrolled. The program had to be closed after filling to capacity this year.
Perry said he would like to keep grade sizes around 200 students, which is currently the case. The class of 2015 is seeing the highest overall enrollment with 202 students, according to the school district.
“In a way, we looked at ourselves as a public school with a private school type of theme,” he said.
The program will not be coming to the elementary level, he said, due to the risk of class sizes becoming too big.
So far, community response has been encouraging.
“It’s all been positive,” he said.
Perry hopes that, as the program progresses, it will remain as strong as it is today and “get even stronger.”
“It’s been very beneficial, not just to the school district, but also to the community and to the taxpayers,” he said.
Learn more about the program
For additional information on Haddonfield Public Schools’ tuition program, visithttp://www.haddonfield.k12.nj.us/tuition/.
Inquiries about the program can be directed to high school Principal Chuck Klaus at (856) 429–3960. Press six when directed.
