About Our District
The Manchester Township School District serves approximately 2,900 students from Pre-K to grade 12 in Manchester Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. Our district is a small, diverse, close knit family with great kids and families and a caring staff. Our schools provide a quality education to our students with high academic standards as well as opportunities for students to develop skills and interests. We are focused on our students’ success and strive to provide them with the best possible individualized educational experience. Our staff is committed to studying and utilizing the most current best practices in education, exemplifying our motto of “Excellence by Example.”
- NJ School Performance Reports
- Board of Education
- Our Schools
- Our Programs & Staff
- Parent & Community Involvement
- Finances
- School Safety
- Mission Statement
NJ School Performance Reports
The School Performance Reports reflect the New Jersey Department of Education's commitment to providing parents, students and school communities with a large variety of information about each school and district. These reports can be used as a tool to help evaluate whether all students have equitable access to high quality education. We encourage you to use these reports to learn more, start conversations, and engage.
Board of Education
Our district is governed by an elected Board of Education with seven members plus a representative from our sending district. The Board Office, Office of the Superintendent, and Central Administration Offices are located on Route 539 in the Whiting section of the township.
Board of Education Offices
Superintendent, Business Office, Curriculum, Student & Admin. Services, Special Services, Transportation, Buildings & Grounds
121 County Rd. 539
P.O. Box 4100
Whiting, NJ 08759
Main Phone: 732-350-5900
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed Fridays in July & August
Our Schools
We have three elementary schools: Ridgeway Elementary School (Gr. Pre-K-5), Whiting Elementary School (Gr. Pre-K-5), and Manchester Township Elementary School (Gr. K-5). These three schools feed into Manchester Township Middle School (Gr. 6-8), and then to Manchester Township High School (Gr. 9-12). We are also the receiving district for approximately 150 high school students from neighboring Lakehurst Borough. In addition, the district has administrative responsibility for the state Regional Day School (Special Education) located in Jackson, New Jersey.
School Directory
Manchester Township High School
1 Hawks Way
Manchester, NJ 08759
732-657-2121
Manchester Township Middle School
2759 Ridgeway Rd.
Manchester, NJ 08759
732-657- 1717
Manchester Township Elementary School
101 N. Colonial Drive
Manchester, NJ 08759
732-323- 9600
Ridgeway Elementary School
2861 Ridgeway Rd.
Manchester, NJ 08759
732-323- 0800
412 Manchester Blvd.
Whiting, NJ 08759
732-350- 4994
Regional Day School
890 Toms River Rd.
Jackson, NJ 08727
732-928- 1500
Our Programs & Staff
We strive to provide an outstanding educational program. Instruction is provided by a highly skilled professional staff that utilizes a variety of instructional techniques to meet the individual needs of all of our students. Our PK-12 staff is highly trained and receive a comprehensive professional development program to focus on student centered learning and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all of our students.
In addition to math, science, social studies and language arts, our programs include art and music, STEM, world languages, business and marketing, ROTC, technology, AP courses, and programs for both struggling and gifted and talented students. Block scheduling at our high school allows more instructional time and more elective options for students. All of our classrooms have interactive projectors and Chromebooks for all students. Every school has a STEAM lab.
We have a full day kindergarten program and we offer preschool services for special needs students. We also now have the universal preschool program for all Manchester children ages 3 and 4.
In addition to an excellent educational program, students in the Manchester School District have many extracurricular activity programs such as athletics, music opportunities, and a variety of academic, special interest, cultural, and community service clubs.
Parent & Community Involvement
Parents and community members are encouraged to play an active part in the Manchester Township School District. They receive district information through our website, Facebook page, cable TV channel, Twitter and through robocalls and email. Parents receive information on student progress through an online parent portal and Google Classroom.
Parents are encouraged to participate in the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee and school-based Parent Advisory Committees.
Many of our local senior citizens volunteer in our schools and our students often visit local nursing homes and senior communities.
The PTA is an integral part of our district and contributes to the success of our programs by providing funds for equipment and educational programs. The Manchester Township Educational Foundation provides grants to our teachers for technology and innovative programs. Our high school Booster Club supports our athletic and music programs. These organizations also provide scholarships for our graduating seniors.
Our students and staff also understand the importance of 'giving back' to the community. They participate in many community service programs like Kevin’s Kids, JumpRope for Heart, and Helping Hands for Hunger, nursing home visits, and more.
The district continues to have a supportive and cooperative relationship with the Township and the Police Department. We participate in many projects with the Township as well as developing safety initiatives and programs with the Police Department to ensure the safety of students, staff and parents.
Finances
The district’s overall financial situation is characterized by stability and sensibility. We are offering a quality education that is affordable to our community. This outstanding record of fiscal responsibility has earned our district the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Accounting for the past 25 years.
School Safety
Safety continues to be a priority in all of our schools. Our Share 911 communication system allows for immediate and developing direct communication between staff, administrators, police and emergency responders. Additional training and review of all emergency drills is completed in cooperation with the Manchester Township Police Department. All of our schools have security vestibules, ballistic film, supervised entrances with approved access and video equipment. Additionally, all staff is trained in response procedures in the event of an emergency.
Mission Statement
Our Mission
Manchester Township School District's mission is to forge a strong partnership between the school and community. Through this partnership it will seek to provide high-quality, student-centered education that addresses the needs of the whole person within a healthy, democratic environment. A vital part of the program is the incorporation of the expectation that all students achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Its staff will consist of caring, competent professionals empowered to provide a stimulating, relevant and rewarding academic program to their students.
By means of fostering the self-worth of each student, Manchester Township's graduates will have high expectations for themselves and will become responsible citizens prepared to meet the demands of the twenty-first century. They will develop an appreciation and tolerance for each person's contribution to society.
Our Beliefs
- Build strong foundations in the early grades.
- High expectations improve performance.
- Students must be active participants in learning.
- Learning should be exciting, purposeful and fun.
- Each student should reach his or her individual potential.
- Children learn best in a secure environment.
- Education involves the whole community.
- Integrity, service, and excellence are core beliefs.
- Respect for different opinions shall be fostered.
- Motivation and pride are important factors in the search for excellence.
Our Goals
- To raise academic expectations and improve student performance.
- To develop in our students creative thinking, risk-taking and problem-solving skills.
- To make it possible for all students to start school ready to learn.
- To foster an atmosphere of teamwork within the classroom, the school and the community.
- To provide the best possible facilities for learning. To maintain a safe and caring school environment.
- To review the possibility of implementing a Total Quality Management approach towards achieving goals and objectives.
- To ensure that the Mission Statement and set of core beliefs are the guiding force in the district’s activities.