“We want to tell others of the work you do because you serve as a model,” Commissioner of Education, William L. Librera told Manchester Regional High School and other Best Practices schools at the awards ceremony June 5 at the Greystone Manor in Freehold.

Manchester was selected from among 800 schools throughout New Jersey as a Best Practices School, and it is the only school in Passaic County to receive the award. The Best Practices program seeks to recognize successful practices in 20 different categories that address the educational needs of students and help to achieve New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Content Standards, including the cross content workplace readiness standards. Manchester was selected for the School to Careers Program developed by Richard Ney for School to Careers, Dr. Anthony Ingraldi for Medical Sciences, and Ed Hayward for Technology.

The school underwent a rigorous review, including a compliance check by the county office and a review by a panel of experts comprised of 300 distinguished administrators and teachers. After Manchester was listed as a semi-finalist, a second panel of experts reviewed the program further. Manchester then became one of two finalists in the Northern Region. Manchester was selected to receive the honor after the Department of Education conducted a site review to examine the program . Manchester’s School to Careers program is a totally integrated program that offers students career exploration and career paths to numerous opportunities. In addition to college-bound support, the program is also aggressive in helping students learn and experience technology through its Cisco Regional Training Academy and the Oracle Academy. Medical Sciences and Nursing is offered in conjunction with St. Joseph’s Hospitals and Atlantic Health Systems. Trades and utility training are offered in conjunction with the IBEW Local 164, the New Jersey Council of Carpenters, and the North Jersey Council of Ironworkers. This year, Manchester also developed a training program in conjunction with PSE&G.