| Edison High School | |
| Motto: | What's Great About Edison High |
| Established: | 1956 |
| Address: | 50 Boulevard of the Eagles |
| City: | Edison |
| County: | Middlesex County |
| State: | New Jersey |
| Zipcode: | 08817 |
| Country: | United States |
| Coordinates: | 40.5163°N -74.3891°W |
| Pushpin Map: | USA New Jersey Middlesex County#USA New Jersey#USA |
| Type: | Public high school |
| Principal: | Charles K. Ross Sr. |
| Enrollment: | 2,280 (as of 2022–23) |
| Faculty: | 160.9 FTEs |
| Ratio: | 14.2:1 |
| Us Nces School Id: | 340450003324 |
| Grades: | 9th-12th |
| District: | Edison Township Public Schools |
| Team Name: | Eagles |
| Mascot: | Edgar the Eagle[1] |
| Colors: | Scarlet and Vegas Gold |
| Conference: | Greater Middlesex Conference (general) Big Central Football Conference (football) |
| Newspaper: | The Eagle's Eye[2] |
| Yearbook: | Talon[3] |
| Accreditation: | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools |
Edison High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Edison, in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The school serves students of many diverse cultures, and is part of the Edison Township Public Schools. The other high school in the district is J. P. Stevens High School. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools.[4]
Most of the Edison High School students come from either Herbert Hoover Middle School or Thomas Jefferson Middle School, though some come from Woodrow Wilson Middle School.
As of the 2022–23 school year, the school had an enrollment of 2,280 students and 160.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.2:1. There were 553 students (24.3% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 212 (9.3% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.[5]
Edison High School opened in 1956 as the district's first secondary school.[6] By the start of the 1957–58 school year, the school was holding double sessions for students in grades seven through ten.[7] J. P. Stevens High School opened in 1964, as part of an effort to alleviate overcrowding at Edison High School that made it the last school in the district that was still holding double sessions in order to accommodate the volume of students.[8]
The school was the 135th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.[9] The school had been ranked 174th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 169th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed.[10] The magazine ranked the school 177th in 2008 out of 316 schools.[11] The school was ranked 155th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.[12]
Edison High School students are required to take four years of English, three (formerly four) years of math, three years of science, three years of history (two of U.S. followed by one of World) and at least two years of a foreign language (selected from Latin, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, and starting in 2008, Italian). In addition, attendance at health and physical education classes are required every year. Starting with the Class of 2008, one year of "Career Education and Consumer, Family and Life Skills" such as Foods or Technology Fundamentals is required as well as a year from the "Visual Performing Arts" such as Chorus, Band, Visual Arts, Clothing for Fashion, and Architectural Drawing. EHS has an Honors college preparatory track that features several Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Every year, the Student Council hosts Mr. EHS, a beauty pageant, talent show and fund raiser that also searches for the very special and outstanding male who attends Edison High. A month prior to the performance, contestants were required to individually raise money for the affiliated charity such as the Simpson-Baber Foundation for the Autistic (2006) or Buddy Ball (2005). Whichever contestant raises the most money was immediately awarded "Most Charitable." In addition, each year Mr. EHS finalizes with announcements of the winner, Mr. Congeniality, and the amount of money the show raised (approx. $3–5000 per show).
Edison High School is often recognized for its music department. The A cappella Choir and Chamber Singers, for example, have been awarded first place superior ratings in national competitions for over 40 years, 19 under its director, Kenneth Brown (Retired 2021), Now led by Joshua Lisner
EHS offers nine different choirs:
The band programs in Edison High School are outstanding and also ranked highly in their divisions, with the band placing first in many competitions. Also has different kinds of bands. Marching Band won two State Championships in the fall 2022 season. The current Director of Bands is Marc Deniculo accompanied by Assistant Director Derek Dillman.
Several bands exist at Edison High School:
Concert Band: All incoming freshmen are placed in the concert band to help them develop their skills and technique.
Symphonic Band: The Symphonic Band is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors who wish to further develop their skills and musical knowledge. This band plays more difficult than the Concert Band and is directed by Derek Dillman.
Wind Ensemble: The Wind Ensemble, directed by Marc Denicuolo, is by audition only to all sophomores, juniors and seniors. The Wind Ensemble plays challenging music and competes in the Region II Concert Band Festival in March every year. In 2005 the Ensemble was ranked 2nd overall in the state for its performance of Yiddish dances. In 2006 the Wind Ensemble received 3rd place in region II and was invited to participate in the New Jersey Concert Band Gala. The Wind Ensemble performs at other festivals as well as on the band's annual spring trip.
Jazz Ensemble: The Jazz Ensemble is the bands' most selective group accepting 16-21 of the school's top jazz musicians. The ensemble plays difficult music and participates in various jazz competitions throughout New Jersey.
Jazz Band: The Jazz Band is open for students to learn how to play the style of jazz. This band rehearses once a week every Wednesday.
Indoor Percussion Ensemble: The Indoor Percussion Ensemble is comprised of drummers and pit percussionists. The ensemble participates in indoor competitions and goes to Wildwood every year for the final championships.
Marching Band: The Eagle Marching Band performs at all varsity football games. The Eagle Marching band took home two state titles in 2002 and 2003 for their shows the rise and fall of rome and medusa which they performed in group IV open. Now in USSBA Group III Open competitions. The Marching Band was undefeated and took home title of first place group III Open at state championships and Northern States Championships in 2006 with their show entitled: Breaking Boundaries: The Saga of the Berlin Wall. In 2007, the Eagle Marching Band took 2nd place at NJ States, 5th place at Northern States and 6th place at Nationals in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2013, they took first place in State as well as National Championships, with their program "Playback". In 2014, they took first place in State as well as National Championships, with their program "The Grind", and they became the first school in the Edison district to win National championships back to back. In 2018, Edison took home all three banners for USBands Group IV Open competition. They won 1st place in state, regional, and national competitions. In 2020, they took first place, once again becoming State and National champions as a USBands Division 3 Band. In 2022, their show "Chaos Order" made history by bringing them to Bands of America Mid-Atlantic Regional Finals for the first time, winning 7th place at Finals. They also won 1st place in USBands State, NJMBDA State, and USBands National championships.
In March 2005, the drama department performed its production of Crazy for You, a Gershwin musical based on the original Girl Crazy. Crazy for You was directed by Mr. Harris with Mr. McCaffery as the technical director and Anthony DiDia as music director.
In the Spring of 2006, the school presented a production of Barnum, a show that featured a sideshow before the actual musical began. The play was directed by Mr. Harris, with production by Mr. McCaffery and Music Direction by Anthony DiDIa. Tom Lombardi was the lighting designer for Barnum.
In March 2007, EHS Drama put on a production of Cabaret starring several new additions to the EHS Drama team. The show incorporated songs of both the original and the revival versions. The cast and crew did not receive any Rising Star Award nominations from the Paper Mill Playhouse despite the fantastic two-week run the show had. However, the Kit Kat Girls received honorable mention for their role. The show was directed by Mr. Harris and co-directed by Mrs. Troy, with production by Mr. McCaffery aided by Mr. Scarpa, and Music Direction by Anthony DiDia.
In March 2008, EHS Drama presented a production of Beauty and the Beast, was directed by Kathi Troy and Brian Harris, with production by John Scarpa aided by Mr. McCaffery, and Music Direction by Anthony DiDia.
In March 2009, EHS Drama presented the production of Bye Bye Birdie, a comedy musical. This production was directed by Staci Almquist with Music Direction by Nicholas Kaminski.
In March 2010, EHS Drama presented Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Kathi Tory and Music Directed by Nicholas Kaminski. The production also featured an original orchestration by Nicholas Kaminski.
In January 2011, the EHS Improv Troupe's Jordan Cohen and Michael Fernandes came in 4th place in the state in the STANJ Theater Competition at Rutgers University, marking the first official award for EHS Theater.
In March 2011, EHS Drama presented Hairspray as its spring musical, directed by Kathi Troy and choreographed by Danielle Andriano, with music direction by Nicholas Kaminski.
In December 2011, EHS Drama presented The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) as its Fall play. This was EHS's first ever straight play.
In January 2012, the EHS Improv Troupe's Jordan Cohen and Michael Fernandes moved up from their position as 4th in the state in the STANJ Theater Competition and became first in the state. At the same competition the cast of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) competed in the "Scenes" category using their Romeo & Juliet scene and came in fourth in the state. These were both great achievements for the EHS Drama Club.
In April 2012, EHS Drama presented Wedding Singer as its Spring musical, directed by Kathi Troy.
In April 2013, EHS Drama presented Spamalot as its Spring musical, directed by Kathi Troy and Music Directed by Nicholas Kaminski.
In 2014, EHS Drama presented All Shook Up as its Spring musical, directed by Nicole Singer.
In March 2015, EHS Drama presented Urinetown as its Spring musical, directed by Nicole Singer, Music Directed by Chris Curcio, and choreographed by Lyle Dungee.
In December 2018, EHS Drama presented It's A Wonderful Life as its Winter play, directed by Maureen O'Connor.
In March 2019, EHS Drama presented Curtains as its Spring musical, directed by Maureen O'Connor.
In October 2021, EHS Drama presented Arsenic and Old Lace as its Fall play, directed by Maureen O'Connor.
In March 2022, EHS Drama presented Into the Woods as its Spring musical, directed by Maureen O'Connor.
Starting in the 2022-2023 School Year, the Edison High School Theater Club is now run and directed by Jessica Eckhoff and Gabriela Padilla, taking over after Maureen O'Connor left the position.
In March 2023, EHS Theater Department presented High School Musical as its Spring musical, directed by Jessica Eckhoff and Gabriela Padilla. This was also their first time as directors. This musical was also won 3 awards at the first annual Central Jersey Marquee Awards, held at the Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center in Carteret, NJ. The musical won the awards for Best Ensemble Member, Best Lighting, and Best Student Stage Manager.
In May 2023, a new event entitled Eagle Night Live, inspired by Saturday Night Live, was put on for the first time. It was a comedy show that allowed the students to perform comedic songs, scenes, and whatever else they wanted.
In October 2023, EHS Theater Department presented Clue as its Fall play, directed by Jessica Eckhoff and Gabriela Padilla.
In March 2024, EHS Theater Department presented Legally Blonde as its Spring musical, directed by Jessica Eckhoff and Gabriela Padilla. This musical also won 2 awards at the second annual Central Jersey Marquee Awards, held at the Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center in Carteret, NJ. The musical won the awards for Best Hair and Makeup and Best Music Direction.
In May 2024, EHS Theater Department presented the second annual Eagle Night Live.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the announced Fall Play is Almost, Maine.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the announced Spring Musical is The Addams Family.
The club Peacock Society, a South Asian club, also puts on a Bollywood themed drama play every year which features musical performances during the play as well. These musical performances include singing and dancing.
The Edison High School Eagles[13] compete in the Greater Middlesex Conference, which is comprised of public and private high schools located in the Middlesex County area and operating under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).[14] With 1,490 students in grades 10–12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group IV for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 1,060 to 5,049 students in that grade range.[15] The football team competes in Division 5D of the Big Central Football Conference, which includes 60 public and private high schools in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties, which are broken down into 10 divisions by size and location.[16] The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Group V South for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 1,333 to 2,324 students.[17]
The school participates as the host school / lead agency for a joint ice hockey team with Metuchen High School and J. P. Stevens High School. The co-op program operates under agreements scheduled to expire at the end of the 2023–24 school year.[18]
The school's principal is Charles K. Ross Sr. Core members of the school's administration team include the three assistant principals.[41]