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Long Branch also marks a pivotal sitein MCVSD history with the establishmentof the rst vocational high school programin Monmouth County, Technical Drafting,in September of 1959. Not only wouldstudents have been able to work hands onwith materials previously only utilized

by professionals, but they were grantedthe unique, and at that time unheard of,opportunity to be taught by architects in thelocal area. By 1961, an agricultural scienceshigh school curriculum had been born,allowing students to perfect the art of owerarrangement as well as gain experience withthe biology related to this trade. Around thistime, MCVSD also expressed a great deal ofinterest in a site at the Post-Technical School,

(which has become Brookdale CommunityCollege) to develop a Post-Secondary AutoMechanics program.

With the great success these forerunners ofconcentrated vocational education, a demandgrew for several various new programs to bedesigned. In 1966, the district created twomore curriculums in Wall Township andMiddletown in order to meet the growinginterest. The school at Wall was especiallyunique throughout the district because itwas the sight of a printing facility that gavestudents hands on experience working withinthe media industry, a growing eld at thattime. This building was also the predecessorto what would be become CommunicationsHigh School in 2000.

1MCVSD50 years part

The Monmouth County VocationalSchool District has achieved a milestonethat any establishment continually strives toreach: a fty year celebration. So what doesthis mean? For ve decades, the MCVSD hascontinually endeavored to create innovativelearning environments for studentsinterested in pursuing a vocational education,providing such students with the tools andpersonnel necessary to succeed in a givenindustry. This philosophy has truly redenededucation all across New Jersey, proving

that a successful and challenging speciedcurriculum can give a student the chance ofa lifetime to prepare for their future as earlyas their high school years. Students in bothSecondary and Post-Secondary Programshave excelled academically, have been givenopportunities to work with professionals intheir given elds, won national awards, and,most importantly, have been utilizing theirlifelong skills they have learned from theMCVSD to not only give back to their localcommunities, but the global society. But allgreat institutions must begin somewhere.

The 1950s is usually referred to as the time

of conformity. Young men and women wereusually expected to enter the local work forcewith little hope of rising through the socialladder that had developed at that time. Theprimarily agrarian society that was presentin Monmouth County throughout that timeprovided a limited spectrum of occupationsto high school students. Several forward

thinking educators at that time decided toenhance the Monmouth County studentsability to become part of the movement intothe new and improved national labor market.

In 1958, the Board of Freeholders signeda resolution that created the framework forthe MCVSD. Once this district was funded,the rst program that was instituted wasPost-Secondary Nursing Education, whichran out of rented classrooms in Long BranchHigh School. It is quite tting that such aprogram should mark the commencement

of such an academic tradition because notonly did students learn more about thenursing occupation, but they were given theunique opportunity to work with the medicalfacilities that are now Jersey Shore andMonmouth Medical Centers.

The Foundation of Excellence

Although these curricula provideda phenomenal foundation for alternativeeducation, many students who were interestedin a certain eld had to travel across the countyto the site of the school. According to the currentSuperintendent, Brian D. McAndrew Ed.D.,MCVSD grew in quite a maverick fashionfrom that pointthese programs were wellahead of their time, but they was a desire fornew programs that wouldnt require students toleave their home highs schools. The proposedsolution to this issue was the idea of a Shared

Time Education, in which students wouldspend a half of their day at their home highschool and be transported to the various sitesof these programs around the county. Althoughmany board members felts this concept didntadequately solve the problem, the Shared Timeapproach to education would come to playan immense role in the Monmouth Countyvocational scene in later decades.

Long Branch High SchoolLicensed Practical Nursing

Drafting and ElectronicsMatawan High SchoolMachine Shop

Manasquan High SchoolAgriculture

frst programs

1959

1960

1961

Monmouth Countys frst vocational high school

The Monmouth County

Vocational School District

Nurse Alice Phillips, Instructor along with her LPN class.

Technical Drafting Class.

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Long Branch also marks a pivotal site inIn 1984, the MCVSD received for a state grantfor funds that would create a career centerfocused on provided vocational education to

special needs students. This site, located inFreehold, offered programs in horticulture,food service and baking, building trades,auto mechanics, marketing, dry cleaning,and warehousing. The building itself wasdesigned to mimic a mini-mall so as toteach its students to interact with the public.The building would be open to shoppersto come in, drop off their dry cleaning,grab a bite to eat, and get some work doneon their car all within the span of an houror two, explains McAndrew, it allowedspecial needs students to receive a vocationaleducation while provide services to the

community; most importantly however,

it allowed for students to boost their self-esteem while enjoying their education. Tothis very day, the Career Center, as it came to

be called, is the only school in New Jersey in

which students in the Warehousing programcan actually fully operate a forklift. Thistruly exhibits the spirit and the exceptionaleducation the MCVSD provides to vocationallearning.

2MCVSD50 years part

According to the current Superintendentof the MCVSD, Brian D. McAndrew, Ed.D.,the years between 1968 and 1978 saw acontinued desire to provide exceptionalvocational education to as many studentsas possible throughout the MonmouthCounty area. With over fteen hundredstudents enrolled in vocational curriculums,forty seven shops, and twenty two varioushigh school enrollments, MCVSD was mostcertainly maintaining its reputation as asuccessful and progressive district. By 1977alone, eleven Shared Time Programs wereintroduced, making it much more convenient

for students to choose any of the numeroussites around Monmouth County to pursue avocational education.

No great institution is without itsobstacles, however, and the MCVSD reachedone of the largest on its road to success: aplummeting economy. Between 1978 and1988, the nation was facing a prolongeddecline of its nancial status, making it moreand more difcult to receive the properfunding needed to fuel vocational programs.It was at this point the new Superintendent,Edward Davy, and the Board Membersreevaluated the execution of the MCVSDsmission. A truly successful education relieson extending learning to all students, states

McAndrew, that was something that wasntreally implemented at this time in MCVSDhistory. In order to truly provide the besteducation for all students in MonmouthCounty, Davy and the Board decided to reachout to create the missing link of the district: aspecial needs program.

Continuing the Legacy

In 1984, a pivotal landmark in MCVSDhistory was achieved, the foundation of its rstcareer academy. It was more or less placed inour hands, states the superintendent, a seriesof legislation was passed in 1983 that gave usthe task of refurnishing the property on SandyHook. This property soon became not only therst institution for full time vocational educationin Monmouth County, by completely changedthe focus of the districts mission and philosophy.Never before had MCVSD, nor any other schooldistrict in New Jersey for that matter, developeda full time high school education program thatcompletely immersed the students in a thematiceld of interest. By broadening its mission frommerely preparing students for the blue collarwork force, to allowing students throughout thecounty to seek jobs in the new and prosperingwhite collar economy, MCVSD once again leaptforward, providing students even more optionsto strengthen their high school education.

The facility at Sandy Hook became knownas M.A.S.T., or the Marine Academy of Scienceand Technology. But as all great legacies thatlay the foundations, there were many obstaclesthat mark the path from the schools humble

beginning to its current recognition on thenational level. Much controversy eruptedfrom the concept of a full time educationenvironment and whether or not students

could truly benet from being so isolated in oneeld of study, as well as the bafing questionof where to receive such tremendous fundingfor the desired facilities. NJROTC programwas an integral part of the curriculum, theUnited States Navy donated numerous fundsand equipment, among which is the schoolsrst vessel. The district later purchased a newship, The Blue Sea, which is a critical part ofthe schools unique approach to vocationaleducation. The natural success of the program,as well as the evident passion displayed by itsstudents, allowed M.A.S.T. to set the scene formore career academies, propelling the MCVSD

into the new era of education.

Career Center, serving students with special needs.

The Monmouth County

Vocational School District

Dental Assistant Students, Sabrina Brown, Christine Adock and Michael Schleggel.

The frst Career Academy

Chris Chadwick, learning to use a forklift.

The Blue Sea is a 65-foot research vessel owned and operated by the

Marine Academy and berthed at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Sandy Hook.

Michelle Koehler watering plants in the Greenhouse.

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From 1958 to 2008, students of the MonmouthCounty Vocational School District have beengiven the extraordinary capability to not only con-tribute to the world in which they will become apart of, but to use their talents and skills to reachout to the global society with the prospect ofcreating a better society. As the current Superinten-dent, Brian D. McAndrew, Ed.D, prepares to retire, the

district continues to strive towards more adequately

equipping their students with the tools they need forsuccess. When asked what the future goals for thedistrict will be, McAndrew stated, just as in the past,we are just searching for another segment of the com-munity that needs to be served. This philosophy isthe true spirit of the MCVSD and continues to be theinspiration that will preserve the district with thefamiliar notion of accomplishment it has been usedto. Ideas have been born, challenges have been con-quered, and the resolute leadership that MCVSD has

created is ready to meet another fty years, head on.

Ever since its birth in 1958, the MCVSDhas never ceased reaching beyond the knownboundaries of education, challenging its studentsto always seeking new heights and new obstaclesof their own to overcome. Over the past fty yearswe have seen this district rise from its rst programrun out of a classroom at Long Branch high school,to the conception of the states rst career academy,constantly raising the bar for education, proving themotto that the sky truly is the limit for its students.

In 1988, the popularity of the Marine Academyastounded and inspired the new and optimisticsuperintendent, Brian D. McAndrew, Ed.D., to sethis new agenda towards further developing theconcept of a comprehensive full time high schoolcareer academy. With the increasingly competitiveapplicant pool and highly specic curriculumavailable at M.A.S.T., many parents and studentsalike were seeking alternative institutions that wouldprovide a career academy education to those students

who were interested in more than just MarineScience. Within merely three years of the opening ofthe Marine Academy, McAndrew was working outa proposition with Brookdale Community Collegethat allowed 10th, 11th, and 12th grade studentsthe opportunity to experience a highly rigorousengineering and mathematics curriculum on anactual college campus.

The Future of Education

A Global Society

When the doors of the High Technology HighSchool (HTHS) opened in September of 1991, however,the entire school was organized out of the cellar of aBrookdale Community College building with limitedequipment and space. The faculty and studentsremained optimistic however, eventually opening up theacademy to 9th graders as well as watching two morerenovations being added to increase the educationalcapabilities of the school. To this day, HTHS is an institutionof tremendous national achievement and houses some ofthe most gifted students in the state, ranking it 4th on the

U.S. News and World Reports top fty high schools inAmerica.

In 1991, MCVSD was seeking to continue providingoptions for all of Monmouth Countys students. With the

birth of KIVA High School, students with particular learningdisabilities and behavioral problems have a unique chance tostudy their academic subjects as well as various vocationaldisciplines such as auto mechanics and cosmetology, witha Native American themed curriculum. Students also takepart in Service projects throughout the Tinton Falls area tofurther their connection and importance to the community.Also, during the mid 1990s, the Class Academy was foundedinitially at Monmouth University (now located at a buildingadjacent to the Academy of Allied Health and Science), for

students who werent able to successfully interact in theirhome high schools. The purpose of this institution is tofurther the belief that all students, given the proper approach,can succeed in any environment they attend school. ClassAcademy provides individualized attention to students, aswell as allowing them to express their creativity in ways thatimprove their intrapersonal relationships, while developingtheir talents.

HTHSEducation like no other.

KIVAAn Alternative High School

fty years of excellence

With a new millennium right around the corner,the MCVSD spared no time in implementing threebrand new career academies in rapid succession.The rst was the Academy of Allied Health andScience, opening in September of 1996, which

sought to introduce students to a rigorous pre-medical curriculum. National recognition is nostranger to the MCVSDs career academies, andAAHS is no exception having recently won theService Learning Award, the rst school in NewJersey to receive this national honor. With massiveinterest sparked as a result of the rst three careeracademies, the time had come to nally create anenvironment in which students seeking a degree inthe arts could more efciently hone their skills anddevelop portfolios showcasing their talents like noother learning environment could provide. In thefall of 2000, Communications High School openedits doors to its rst freshman class. The timingwas perfect, McAndrew states, we had a state ofthe art printing facility stationed at the Wall site,which was just waiting to be further developed.With a much broader theme, CHS students hasmore elds of exploration than any other academy,which has lead to several state and national honorsof its own including Journalism instructor AndreaMulshine being named Journalism Teacher

of the Year for the state of new Jersey, a teamthat placed second in the nation in a BroadcastNews Competition, and Principal JamesGleason receiving the Nationally recognizedMilken Award for outstanding educational leadership.

a new mellinieium

3MCVSD50 years part

The Monmouth County

Vocational School District

Looking towards the future, MCVSD is adamant on maintaining the academic excellence as

well as the innovative education methods that have made it a success. The current site in Asbury

Park will soon be transformed into a Culinary Education Center, allowing students of secondary

and post-secondary levels to work with Brookdale Community College to further develop their

nesse in the elds of cooking, baking, and presentation. As the county continues to evolve,

more and more students in the Shared Time program are looking to attend institutions of higher

education, unlike the rst Shared Time students who immediately joined the workforce. As a

result, many programs and buildings will be adjusted to t and exceed the growing standards for

academic and career success. For example, the rst MCVSD building in Long Branch will be

completely renovated and reopened in September of 2009, housing the Law Enforcement and

Public Safety program. Law and Safety have become tremendous issues in society, ever since

the effects of 9/11, explains the Superintendent, it is only tting that we allow this program to

expand and train our students in this growing eld of interest. The Superintendent also stated

that this program has the possibility to develop into the districts next Career Academy.

forging ahead

Over the past fty years the Monmouth CountyVocational School District has dedicated itself to providingits students with an unparalleled education that allowsstudents to take part in emerging global issues, as seenthrough its nal career academy just opening in Septemberof 2005, Biotechnology High School. Just as our nationsleading scientists are constantly searching to introducemore modern scientic discoveries into our daily life,MCVSD has given students at BTHS the ability to searchfor their own new contributions to the eld of sciencewithout ever leaving Monmouth County. With state ofthe art laboratories and research facilities, students at

BTHS are truly becoming a part of these emerging globalissues, an opportunity that only the MCVSD can provide.

MAST Color Guard Presentation, ROTC is part of the curriculum.

Communications High School students in the control room of theTV Studio.

Pottery is part of the Fine Arts program at KIVA.

High Technology High School students in Advanced Placement Biology.