Close to the corner of South Pearl and South Streets stands Elizabeth High School. It is more than just a school. It is a place where history and education come together.
Elizabeth High School has a rich past. It reflects the changes in Elizabeth. The school has adapted to meet the needs of its diverse student population. The school’s story stretches back to a time when single-sex education was the norm.
Once upon a time, Elizabeth had separate public high schools. One was for boys. The other was for girls. Battin High School was for girls only. Thomas Jefferson High School was for boys. This single-sex system ended in 1977.
Elizabeth High School has been located in a new complex since then. The $29.3 million project included renovations to Thomas Jefferson High School. It became part of the new complex. The new facility ended the city’s status as the only community in the state with separate public high schools for boys and girls.
Elizabeth High School has earned recognition. In 2015, it was named a National Blue Ribbon School. This award recognizes schools for high academic performance.
The Daily Beast ranked Elizabeth High School as one of “America’s Best High Schools”. These rankings considered graduation rates and college enrollment. They also looked at AP and International Baccalaureate courses.
Elizabeth High School was split into smaller houses in 2009. Each house operated as an independent school. Each had its own principal. Each had its own subject of focus. This transformation aimed to improve student outcomes.
Frank J. Cicarell Academy is a key part of Elizabeth High School. Both upper and lower academies merged into this building in 2016-2017. A couple of years later, the Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy annex for freshman students merged into the Frank J. Cicarell Academy, too.
Elizabeth High School’s marching band has achieved greatness. The Elizabeth High School Marching Band won the USBands State and National 5A Competition in 2011, 2012, and 2013. In 2021, the band competed in the inaugural New Jersey Marching Band Director’s Association State Championship and placed first in Class AAA.
Elizabeth High School’s sports teams have won many championships. The football team has won multiple North II Group IV state sectional titles. The baseball team has won Group IV state championships. The boys basketball team has won Group IV state titles.
Several notable alumni have walked through Elizabeth High School’s halls. Tom Colicchio is a chef and head judge of Top Chef. Todd Bowles is the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. N. J. Burkett is a television news correspondent for WABC-TV. Chris Gatling is a former NBA all-star.
Elizabeth High School is a public magnet school. It serves students in grades 9-12. It is part of the Elizabeth Public Schools district. The school has a diverse student body.
Elizabeth High School strives for academic excellence. It offers AP classes. It has a high graduation rate. It prepares students for college and careers. The school is a source of pride for the Elizabeth community.