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Similar to the entire United States, New Jersey provides a variety of schools, whether they be public, private, religious or secular. However, the responsibility of the State government for public education has been a major issue for several decades. The State Constitution demands that all students be provided with a thorough and efficient education. Because public schools were mostly funded by local taxes, numerous efforts failed to form a financing system that would not bankrupt one district, or unfairly tax another. Finally, New Jersey's struggle over school funding reached its apex when the Supreme Court ordered the state to provide funding through a state income tax that would reduce the most significant disparities in education between the poorest districts and the wealthy communities. Today, there are still a variety of factors contributing to inadequate school facilities, but the main issue continues to revolve around the fact that the taxable income in the poor districts is considerably lower than in the wealthy communities.

The Search
With over 600 school districts in New Jersey, finding a school should not be too difficult. However, the districts vary widely on the amount of money spent on education and in the performance of the students. You should prepare for enrolling your child in school well in advance, as some schools have strict eligibility requirements. Academic requirements, as well as financial issues, may be of concern when looking for the appropriate school for your child. A wide variety of schools to choose from in a variety of communities are available, so be sure to examine all of your options carefully before settling on one. You may want to contact the New Jersey Board of Education for information regarding schools, before setting out to evaluate the specific schools in your area.

To find the school best suited to your child's needs, you may want to ask co-workers or family members acquainted with the New Jersey school system. If, during your research, you intend to visit the schools in your area, be sure to observe the relationships between child, staff and administration. Your most valuable source in your search for a school, will be your gut instincts. If a classroom seems to be packed with children, this is usually a good indication that the particular school will not have the time or materials to provide your child with the extra attention he or she may need.

If you consider public schools, contact the community school board in your district for a list of schools for which you are zoned. If you are considering private education for your child, you may want to know, that unlike many countries, American private schools are not subsidised, and can be quite expensive.

Public Schools
New Jersey's public schools are funded by individual state and local taxes received from the state's taxpayers. Each of these schools must adhere to the policies set forth by the state Board of Education. These boards consist of elected officials who establish all the rules that each school must follow, such as allocation of funding, administration of certified teachers, purchase of school supplies and library services.

To register for a particular school you must visit the Board of Education office in the district in which you choose to reside. Most schools require immunisation, so be sure to check which vaccinations are required for registration. Your child's vaccination records should be updated prior to your departure into the United States. Most schools require that each child has received the proper vaccinations for diphtheria, measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis and whooping cough. In addition, the following information must be provided.

• Proof of residence
• Child's Birth Certificate
• Complete medical history
• Past scholastic records

In general, the school year lasts from early September to late June. Although class size varies between each district, you can expect the average class to consist of 30 students.

Clinton Public School, known for its excellent reputation, is the public elementary school in Clinton. About 400 students in grades K-8 attend the school, which recently invested over four million dollars in expansion. The phone number for Clinton Public School is Tel: [1](908) 735-4145.

North Hunterdon Regional is Clinton's public high school. For further information regarding North Hunterdon Regional High School, call Tel: [1](908) 735-5191.

Public schools in the Township of Clinton are: Spruce Run Elementary, for grades K-2, Tel: [1](908) 735-7916; Patrick McGaheran School, for grades three through five, Tel: [1](908) 735-5151; and Round Valley School, for grades six through eight, Tel: [1](908) 236-6341.

Private Schools
If you do not wish to send your child to a local public school, there are many private schools throughout New Jersey that you may wish to consider. Private schools are supported through tuition and fees paid directly to the school. The majority of private schools in New Jersey are Catholic schools. However, some schools in New Jersey are focused on language, others concentrate on preparation for university level education and many are religiously affiliated. Still, some other schools are specialised for children interested in the arts. These schools are often very competitive and may require auditions, portfolios or a comprehensive examination before entrance is granted.

The tuition for private schools varies considerably, and not all school tuition fees are all inclusive. You may need to pay additional fees for books, board and transportation. In addition to these fees, parents are usually expected to make a charitable contribution. Many private schools do, however, offer scholarship programmes for certain children.

Many private schools in New Jersey may have long waiting lists, so do not expect easy admission. Schools may reject students to limit the size of class space, or refuse entry regarding academic requirements. When applying to a private school, be sure to submit the application well in advance. You must allow for time to process the application and for a personal interview if necessary.

Private schools in the nearby Clinton area include:

Acorn Montessori School
1222 Route #31
Lebanon NJ 08833

The Sheepfold School
316 Old Allerton Road
P.O. Box 5400
Clinton NJ 08809

There are also a number of private schools in the surrounding area of Hunterdon County.

International Schools
International schools normally use English as the medium of instruction, and they are typically suitable for children from all countries. At the secondary level, they normally lead to the International Baccalaureate (IB). These schools are occasionally described as “Mid-Atlantic” in style, as the curriculum may be based on a combination of American and British materials and teaching styles.

International schools usually offer English as a Second Language (ESL) support for non-English speaking pupils, and foreign language instruction is a strong scholastic feature. Parents looking for international schools are usually seeking schools which offer the International Baccalaureate (IB). This programme was founded in order to improve international understanding by using a global perspective. In the United States, the IB is considered an honours diploma and most colleges/universities grant advanced placement credit to IB diploma holders.

FAST FACT:
For more information on the International Baccalaureate Organization in North America contact:

International Baccalaureate North America
475 Riverside Drive, 16th Floor
New York NY 10115
Tel: [1](212) 696-4464
Fax: [1](212) 889-9242
E-mail: ibna@ibo.org

University Levels
New Jersey has a variety of colleges and universities from which to choose. New Jersey's primary higher education system comprises 19 community colleges, 14 private colleges and seven state colleges. Sprinkled throughout the state, each academic institution maintains its own distinct regulations for admissions. Admission standards vary, depending on the status of the school, which may be determined by the degree programmes offered and the notoriety of the school. The differences between the three types of institutions are mainly distinguished between the degree programmes. For instance, community colleges offer two-year programmes, while private and state schools offer four-year degree programmes. Many four-year institutions also offer postgraduate and doctoral programmes.

Community Colleges
Community colleges in New Jersey specialise in providing useful skills needed in the local community. Tuitions vary between resident and non-resident individuals, but the tuition costs are fairly reasonable for all students. Community colleges provide an excellent education, and many students attend community colleges before transferring to a four-year school. Studying at a community college can save parents and students thousands of dollars, as the cost of going to a four-year college/university is ever-increasing and can be as much as US$26,000 per year.

Students in the Clinton area may consider attending Raritan Valley Community College, a two-year college located in North Branch, New Jersey, and co-sponsored by Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

Private Colleges
Private institutions are much more expensive than state institutions because of the high-profile of many of the private academies. A common misconception is that a better education can be obtained from private academies. This is not necessarily true. However, because the private institutions are well-known, these schools may be helpful in obtaining gainful employment after graduation.

Private academies are generally smaller colleges and universities, indicating that the student-teacher ratio is lower. Thus, students receive more focussed attention in smaller classrooms. Also, some private schools may have more qualified professors and more expansive materials and resources. There is a simple reason for this occurrence--the exorbitant individual expense of private education provides funding for better materials and more comprehensive resources, while also enabling top-salary offers to highly qualified educators.

State Colleges
Though state colleges or universities may lack the expensive materials and resources of private schools, a comparable education is usually provided. Because state schools do not have the same notoriety, most state institutions are easier to enrol in and less expensive. Even though private and state schools require the same basic criteria, such as high school grades, personal recommendations, achievements outside of high school and test scores, private academies may require higher test scores or higher average grades. Thus, many students who do not have an elitist profile, may be rejected from private academies. Keep in mind, though, that many state schools are limited in space, so if grades and test scores are not comparable to the entrance criteria, students may also be rejected. Therefore, applying to a college or university, whether it be private or state, is usually a time in a students' life marked with tension.

Adult Education
Adult education classes can be taken at a variety of institutions. Perhaps the most common places for adults to continue their education is at the local community colleges or local universities, where evening courses are generally offered to facilitate the education process for working adults. The adult education programmes offer a wide assortment of classes ranging from foreign languages and writing workshops to classes on business management, painting and quilting. In addition, adults wishing to continue their education to the Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree levels can enrol and participate in the classes offered to traditional students. However, some of these courses may only be offered during normal working hours.

Hunterdon County Adult Education, sponsored by the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission, offers a wide range of courses in adult basic and general education, high school equivalency, and English as a Second Language (ESL), as well as college/university credit and non-credit courses and career planning services.

Hunterdon County Polytech, Hunterdon County's vocational school, offers a wide range of occupational courses both during the day and in the evening. Areas of study include agriculture, automotive maintenance/repair, computer-aided drafting, healthcare, and television broadcasting. Apprentice training is also available. Raritan Valley Community College recognizes many of the courses offered.

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