New Jersey Honoring These 4 South Jersey School Districts

Even though there are 17 South Jersey Public Schools ranked among the best in New Jersey, the dark reality is that more than 90 schools have seen their state funding cut since 2024. South Jersey Schools have been forced to cut jobs and programs, making educators' jobs more difficult each year.

School districts also face rising costs for academic institutional operations, forcing some like Passaic Public Schools to cuts jobs in order to keep paying for Electric Bills and Staff Healthcare.

But the good news is there are educators and schools that are overcoming the odds to do what is best for the children. This summer, the state of New Jersey is recognizing some of those public schools with a unique award.

Four South Jersey Schools Receive the Lighthouse Awards

Since 2017, the New Jersey Department of Education has recognized School Districts and Charter Schools around the state that take the extra steps for educational improvement and equitable outcomes.

The Lighthouse Awards are announced every two years so the NJDOE can draw on a larger sample size of information before naming awardees. Nine schools received the latest round of honors, with four located in South Jersey:

*Vineland School District received a Lighthouse Award for "Diversifying the Teacher Workforce". According to the NJ Department of Education, Vineland School District has "diversified the Teacher Workforce from 2022-23 to 2024-25, and Increased Teacher Diversity from 16% to 19%."

*Lower Cape May Regional School District received a Lighthouse Award for "Increasing Equity in AP/IB Enrollment". The NJDOE website states that LCMR "increased equity in student enrollment in AP/IB courses from 2021-22 to 2023-24, (saw an) increase in Hispanic/Latino students' participation from 22.6% to 46.6%, and an increase in participation for Students with Disabilities from 7.1% to 12.0%."

*Salem City School District received a Lighthouse Award for "Increasing Equity in AP/IB Enrollment". According to the NJ Department of Education, Salem City Schools have "increased equity in student enrollment in AP/IB courses from 2021-22 to 2023-24, (along with) increase in Hispanic/Latino Student participation from 0% to 70.4%, increase in Black or African American Students participation from 0% to 60.8%, and increase in participation for Students with Disabilities from 0% to 19.4%."

*Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District received a Lighthouse Award for "Increasing Equity in Dual Enrollment". The NJDOE website states that Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional Schools have "increased equity in dual enrollment from 2021-22 to 2023-24, (along with an) increase in Hispanic/Latino Student participation from 0% to 40.2%, increase in Black or African American students' participation from 0% to 53.0%, and increase in participation for Students with Disabilities from 0% to 43.5%."