Biotech High School Ranked #8 In U.S., #1 In New Jersey

Later today, an official from Rutgers University is coming to Biotech High School to demonstrate to students and faculty the ins and outs of 3-D printing.

That’s what they call “Wednesday’’ at New Jersey’s #1 high school.

Biotechnology High, located in Freehold Township, was ranked the state’s top high school by an annual report of U.S. News & World Report. The school fared well in the national rankings, too, coming in at number eight in the country.

Principal Linda Eno said she, the 320 students and the faculty are thrilled with the ranking. A celebration is planned on Monday. There will be cake.

“When you look at how hard these kids work,’’ Eno said. “It’s the little pats on the back that keep them going.’’

The school, one of five specialized career academies in the Monmouth County Vocational School District, is a life science- and research-focused school. It jumped from 17^th in the magazine’s national rankings last year to 8th this year.

In addition to Biotech, each of the other Monmouth County Vocational schools – Communications High School in Wall, High Technology High School in Middletown, Marine Academy of Science & Technology in Highlands and Academy of Allied Health & Science in Neptune -- made this year’s list of top schools, according to the report.

Eno attributes Biotech’s success partially to the preparation given to its students in the Monmouth County middle school system, the school’s political and financial support and its stakeholders and faculty.

“You know when you’re standing between ‘good’ and ‘great’,’’ Eno said. “And this faculty is great. They are, bar none, the best anywhere.’’

The school is a competitive entry system, unlike the most of the public schools, which does give the school a leg up, Eno said.

“But that being said, when you have a school with a clear mission and you have people who are buying into that mission, you’re all rowing in the same direction,’’ Eno said. “And when you all row in the same direction, you get there faster.’’

The school works to foster a sense of community and mutual cooperation, embracing its diversity, Eno said.

“We get kids who might not necessarily be the superstars in their general public schools,’’ Eno said. “Many of them will say they were bullied in middle school -- maybe they didn't fit the typical middle school mold. We work hard to take away some of the anxiety that goes along with being a teenager.’’