• NJ School Performance Report

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Sea Girt School was established in 1970 in a small, one-mile square seashore town in Monmouth County with 2,600 residents and 1,200 homes.  The borough was founded in 1875 and is a close-knit community whose residents have a sense of pride in the school and community.  There are a dozen active civic organizations in the town that contribute to the well-being of the community.  Many of these organizations use the school facilities for various functions.  Sea Girt has one of the lowest property tax rates in the state.

 SCHOOL PROFILE

Sea Girt Elementary School is nationally recognized as a United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School.  In our small school setting children become a part of an extended school family. We house a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten program.  Grades PK-5 are self-contained and students in Grades 6-8 are departmentalized during an eight-period day with an additional lunch period. In addition to academics, all children receive instruction from highly-qualified staff in art, music, physical education and media-technology skills. Results on the NJ ASK indicate superior student achievement as measured against national and state standards.

 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM

A demanding instructional program is offered in a supportive, caring environment which promotes personal growth and achievement. A literature based reading program, writing and mathematics are stressed throughout the grades. Great Books, Algebra I, and Spanish I, are offered to highly achieving students. The teaching staff is very professional and committed to excellence in all areas. 

 The reading program emphasizes comprehension, literary skills and vocabulary at all levels while promoting the habit of life long reading. There is an ongoing integration of reading skills throughout the curriculum.  The mathematics program follows standards established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, often using manipulatives and cooperative learning groups to enhance problem solving skills. The writing program enables students to communicate effectively, coherently, and imaginatively through written expression.  Spanish is taught in Grades K-8.  Information and Communications Technology Literacy helps students learn how to find, interpret, analyze, evaluate, and communicate in a variety of forms using technology and media. The Instructional Media Center has been recognized as exemplary by the United States Department of Education. There is also a Museum of Famous Children's Authors and Illustrators that received a Best Practice Award from the New Jersey Department of Education.  The school has adopted the N.J. Bar Foundation Managing Bullying Behavior, Positive Strategies for Conflict Resolution to maintain a wholesome school social climate. 

 Academic performance is a priority at the Sea Girt School as well as the values of self-discipline, honesty, fairness, courtesy, responsibility and respect.  Traditional family values are instilled by expectation and example, and the staff expects the best performance from each student both in and out of the classroom.

 ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS/FIELD TRIPS

The PTO sponsors assembly programs for the school which are integrated into the curriculum.  Programs change yearly and have included a visiting author, Multi-cultural Dancers, a musician portraying Mozart and Beethoven and motivational speakers.  Students participate in grade level field trips to places such as Liberty Science Center, The Philadelphia Zoo, Algonquin Theater, and Washington, DC. 

 EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM

A diversified extracurricular program with high levels of participation (98%) is available to pre-high students.  Athletic programs include soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, cheering and tennis.  School teams are noted for their winning traditions, discipline and sportsmanship.  There is a well-established Peer Leader Program.  The performing arts program consists of drama productions, class plays, chorus, band, and music lessons. Students can join the computer club, safety patrol and forensics.  Recent drama club productions have been "Sound of Music", "Annie", "Scrooge", "The Wizard of Oz", "The King and I", "Grease", "Oliver", "Bye Bye, Birdie", "The Little Mermaid", and "The Cat in the Hat."   A variety of student service projects helps to develop a sense of social responsibility.  Students visit nursing homes, run food drives for the needy and prepare Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. 

 PARENT ORGANIZATIONS

Strong ties between home and school enrich the quality of Sea Girt Elementary School as parents generously support school activities with personal commitment and involvement through the Parent Teacher Organization and as class volunteers.  The PTO has donated a Steinway piano, playground equipment, an auditorium sound system, landscaping, and supported the technology program by donating computers, presentation monitors, and MP3 players to the school. They run a Book Fair and Holiday Breakfast with Santa.  The Booster Club organizes both a Saturday soccer program and basketball program for Grades K-8 coached by parent volunteers.  They have also donated team jackets, baseball and basketball scoreboards, equipment and uniforms in support of the athletic program.  The Sea Girt Educational Foundation leads major initiatives which have included both North Grounds and South Grounds projects.  With strong ties between home and school we are able to enrich the quality of educational life at Sea Girt Elementary School.

 TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

There is a networked multimedia computer lab in the Instructional Media Center with Pentium personal computers using a Windows 8 platform.  There are six computer carts with laptops available for teacher sign-out to utilize for class projects.  Each Pre-High student is assigned a specific laptop for their use during Pre-High.  The laptops are an integral part of Pre-High classwork as well as homework.  Students maintain a Google Docs account submitting their work electronically.  There is an iPad cart which has 30 machines.  A local area network connects classroom computer stations with the resources of the Instructional Media Center, as well as the Internet. Each classroom has Internet access and interactive digital whiteboards. We recognize the potential of media and technology to empower educators and their students to be 21st Century learners to meet the challenges of a global knowledge society.  The library collection is computerized.  Students are introduced to Microsoft Office Professional 2010, including Power Point. Through exploratory learning students emerge with greater analytical and critical thinking skills. 

 GRADUATES

Most Sea Girt students attend Manasquan High School.  Many graduates choose to attend private school and students have enrolled in Christian Brothers Academy, Choate, Lawrenceville, Peddie, Ranney, Red Bank Catholic, and St. Rose.  Several graduates have been selected to attend magnet high schools including High Technology High School, Communications High School, Allied Health and Science High School, and the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (M.A.S.T.).  All of these high schools are congratulated for successful academic programs leading to college acceptances.  Based on high school academic programs, extracurricular programs and SAT scores, former Sea Girt Elementary School students are routinely accepted to some of the most highly competitive universities in the country.