|
Our educational family is known as the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District. Located in Atlantic County west of Atlantic City, in the south-eastern section of New Jersey, there are two schools in the district. Oakcrest High School, in existence since 1960, and Absegami High School, which opened its doors in 1982.
Oakcrest began in 1957 with the organization of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District. At that time, voters of four townships Hamilton, Mullica, Egg Harbor and Galloway, along with Egg Harbor City, approved the regional formation. The total sending area comprised 337 square miles, at that time, the largest school district in the state. The total district population in the late 1950's was approximately 25,000. The 106 acre Hamilton Township site chosen for the new high school was purchased for one dollar. The school would be easily accessible from Cologne Avenue, Vienna Avenue, U.S. Rt. 40, and U.S. Rt. 322.
OAKCREST'S building would be situated upon the crest of a hill in an area surrounded by oak trees, so "OAKCREST" was chosen as the name. The school mascot was a Falcon, the school colors, blue and gray, and the emblems in the panels of the school ring were an Indian head and five holly leaves symbolizing the five sending districts.
During the early 1960's, an unexpected increase in students sparked plans for an addition to the building. In 1964, ground breaking ceremonies took place. Now, the new structure could accommodate 1800 students. The addition would also provide ten rooms for arts and crafts, industrial arts, and vocational work, as well as five rooms for guidance counseling and five new rooms for medical attention. In addition, there was a new sports field and enlarged administrative facilities.
Today the area served by the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District is 272 miles. It includes Hamilton Township, Mullica Township, Galloway Township, Egg Harbor City, Port Republic, and Greenbank as sending district.
Hamilton Township, home of Oakcrest High School, also includes the town of Mays Landing, our county seat. Adjacent to the Oakcrest campus is the Atlantic Community College. We have shared sports facilities as well as educational opportunities from time to time. Furthermore, Richard Stockton College, located in Galloway Township, within the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District, enables Oakcrest and Absegami students to take advantage of its many facilities and to participate in its cultural events. Students may also take advantage of vocational programs at the Atlantic County Vocational Technical School, located just a few minutes from Oakcrest's campus, on U.S. Route 40.
Business and industry in our immediate community include Wheaton's Plastics corporation in Mays Landing, Lenox China in Pomona, The Atlantic City Race Track, Ocean Yachts, the Hamilton Mall, and the Federal Aviation Administration Facility. Blueberry and truck farms flourish, offering seasonal employment.
Reaching out 15-20 minutes from this location is the Atlantic City Medical Center, Shore Memorial Hospital, Atlantic Electric Company, the Historic Towne of Smithville, and the Shore Mall.
Atlantic City, presently home of 12 operating casinos, is an easy 15 minutes from here, with businesses of every variety offering employment opportunities.
Residents in our district have easy access to Philadelphia over the Atlantic City Expressway -- a 40-50 minute ride. Rail lines also service commuters to Philadelphia with stops in Egg Harbor and Absecon. The Garden State Parkway gives us access to points North -- Toms River and New York; in the southerly direction, we are afforded recreational facilities found in Cape May County, plus connections via the Cape May Lewes Ferry to Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. |
|
|
