High School South - THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WEST WINDSOR

High School South

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High School South, December 2018.
Historical Overview
A large high school stands on about 50 acres at 346 Clarksville Road. This educational institution - High School South - has a history deeply intertwined with the origins of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District.

Before the 1970s, West Windsor, a small farming community, had no high school. Instead, parents of the town - and several other surrounding municipalities - sent their high school age children to Princeton High School.​[1] However, as Princeton began experiencing population growth in the mid-20th century, school officials in that town became concerned with capacity issues.Consequently, in the 1960s, Princeton warned West Windsor and surrounding towns that alternative arrangements would be needed in the not-so-distant future.[2],[3]

Heeding this warning, in 1968, West Windsor formed a citizens' committee to investigate building a West Windsor high school.[4] However, confirming longtime suspicion, it was ascertained that the cost would be enormous - some estimates at the time were over $10 million.[5] Discussions had already begun a few years prior with surrounding towns (Plainsboro, Cranbury, and Washington - later Robbinsville) to split the costs of a shared high school.[6] Ultimately, Plainsboro and West Windsor decided to join forces.
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WWPRSD logo.
In 2013, Dick Snedeker - a longtime former member of the WW-P Board of Education - described the ensuing process: "before the official decision could be made to present the new district to the voters for approval, plans had to be drawn up for a high school. Forming the regional district was only a first step. There also had to be a high school that would be ready for students by the fall of 1973, when we would have to start leaving Princeton. Thus was formed the 'Committee of 50.” Under the leadership of Bill Stuart, a Princeton University administrator who lived in West Windsor, a group of West Windsor and Plainsboro residents with diverse backgrounds in education was put together to formulate a plan for the school curriculum and the facilities and staff that would be needed to make it work. College and high school teachers, school administrators, building experts, architects, and anyone else who might be able to make a useful contribution made up that impressive committee. For a while, it seemed that a PhD in almost any subject qualified one for membership. But it is remarkable that so large a group was inspired to see its goal so clearly and to stay focused without the contrariness that so often infects such public efforts. There was little or no wandering from the course, and the plan was approved by the State Department of Education."[7]
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Coward farmhouse viewed from Clarksville Road, early 1900s.
On April 22, 1969, voters approved a referendum to consolidate West Windsor's and Plainsboro's school districts.[8] On July 1, their independent Boards of Education dissolved when the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District formed.[9],[10] Its first superintendent was John F. Hadden.[11] Later that year, a concept was presented for a high school that could expand over time to serve up to 1,750 students grades 7 through 12.[12] Plans were presented to voters for approval on June 30, 1970, for a $7-million school, including a swimming pool under an inflatable "bubble."[13]

However, although approved, these plans were not without their controversy - namely, that they anticipated the demolition of the "Coward House" - a 1700s-era farmhouse that sat near the intersection of Clarksville Road and Princeton-Hightstown Road.[14] This farm had long been a familiar local sight, and had been in possession of the Coward family for decades (and the Voorhies and Rossel families before them).[15],[16],[17],[18] Nevertheless - and despite efforts to see it become a local history museum[19] - the farm was demolished; its farmhouse set ablaze for firefighter training as community members looked on.[20],[21] All that remains are a few trees that once surrounded the house at the southern corner of the crossroads.

The school was noted for its "open concept" architecture - few to no walls separated classrooms, which wrapped around a media center "nucleus." Said the New York Times at the time, “…the building combines multiple curves and angles with a bright red-orange tin roof, thus setting it apart from the regular cliché​s of most school construction... the school looks more like modern airline terminal than a high school."[22]
Picture
Ronald G. Watson.
In the fall of 1973, the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School opened for 700 students grades 7 through 10.[23] Its first principal was Ronald G. Watson,[24] assisted by Don Mannian,[25] then Joanne Bartoletti[26] as Assistant Principals. In the spring of 1976, the school held a commencement on the front lawn for its first graduating class.[27] The following year, the school's mascot was chosen to be the Pirate (which beat out other options, including a Martian).[28] 

In 1984, Watson was succeeded by Bartoletti in Principalship.[29] She, in turn, was succeeded by several more over the years:
  • Ann Ashbrock (starting in 1991)[30]
  • Michael Carr (starting in 1993)
  • Charles Rudnick (starting in 2002/3)[31]
  • Roseann Bonino (starting in 2010)[32],[33]
  • Dennis J. Lepold (starting in 2012)[34]
  • Jessica Cincotta (starting in 2021)[35]

Of course, countless other teachers, administrators, support staff, and students have passed through the school's halls. This includes notable alumni such as actor Ethan Hawke,[36] director Christopher McQuarrie,[37] Aneesh Chopra (first Chief Technology Officer of the U.S.),[38] LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy,[39] and Eileen Filler-Corn (first woman Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates).[40],[41]
Picture
High School South aerial, 2023.
In 1997, High School North was constructed, whereupon the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School became "High School South."[42] Since its construction, High School South has become an increasingly award-winning educational institution.[43] In 2023, it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a "homecoming" of some of its original students meeting current ones.[44] It remains an indelible part of West Windsor history and deeply entrenched with the regional school district's history.
Bibliography
  1. "West Windsor Gets 5-Year Pact." Princeton Herald. July 27, 1962.
  2. Ibid.
  3. Snedeker, D. (2022, January 11). Looking back: Why do we have a regional school district?. Community News. https://www.communitynews.org/news/commentary/looking-back-why-do-we-have-a-regional-school-district/article_88930dd3-8c39-5e45-b9b7-92865d8eb048.html Originally published in paper newspaper on August 30, 2013.
  4. "Six Citizens Named To West Windsor Committee." Town Topics. July 11, 1968.
  5. Snedeker, D. (2022, January 11). Looking back: Why do we have a regional school district?. Community News. https://www.communitynews.org/news/commentary/looking-back-why-do-we-have-a-regional-school-district/article_88930dd3-8c39-5e45-b9b7-92865d8eb048.html Originally published in paper newspaper on August 30, 2013.
  6. "West Windsor Is Planning." Town Topics. September 12, 1968.
  7. Snedeker, D. (2022, January 11). Looking back: Why do we have a regional school district?. Community News. https://www.communitynews.org/news/commentary/looking-back-why-do-we-have-a-regional-school-district/article_88930dd3-8c39-5e45-b9b7-92865d8eb048.html Originally published in paper newspaper on August 30, 2013.
  8. "Regionalized Schools?" Town Topics. April 10, 1969.
  9. Ibid.
  10. Snedeker, D. (2022, January 11). Looking back: Why do we have a regional school district?. Community News. https://www.communitynews.org/news/commentary/looking-back-why-do-we-have-a-regional-school-district/article_88930dd3-8c39-5e45-b9b7-92865d8eb048.html Originally published in paper newspaper on August 30, 2013.
  11. "Meet Dr. Hadden." Town Topics. June 12, 1969.
  12. Snedeker, D. (2022, January 11). Looking back: Why do we have a regional school district?. Community News. https://www.communitynews.org/news/commentary/looking-back-why-do-we-have-a-regional-school-district/article_88930dd3-8c39-5e45-b9b7-92865d8eb048.html Originally published in paper newspaper on August 30, 2013.
  13. Ibid.
  14. "Meet Dr. Hadden." Town Topics. June 12, 1969.
  15. Fryer, H L. “Tax Maps of West Windsor Township.” Map. Trenton, New Jersey: H. L. Fryer, C.S., 1938. Revised by C. S. Sincerbeaux, 1938.
  16. “Automobile Driving and Trolley Map of Mercer County, New Jersey, 1905 : from the Latest Geological and Actual Surveys.” Map. Princeton University Library - Digital Maps & Geospatial Data. https://maps.princeton.edu/catalog/princeton-5q47rr19d, n.d. 
  17. ​“West Windsor Township.” Map. 1875 Historical Atlas of Mercer County, New Jersey - Map of West Windsor. Philadelphia, PA: Everts & Stuart, 1875. https://www. loc.gov/item/2010587333/.
  18. Otley, J W, and James Keily. “Map of Mercer County, New Jersey.” Map. Camden, New Jersey: L. Van der Veer, 1849.
  19. "Help Needed to Save Old Coward House."
  20. "School Sale Set." Town Topics. April 6, 1972.
  21. Coward House Burns. (n.d.). photograph, West Windsor. Photographed in 1972 or 1973.
  22. "School Bell is About to Ring Again." New York Times. September 2, 1973.
  23. Ibid.
  24. Ibid.
  25. "TWO ARE APPROVED." Town Topics. July 4, 1974.
  26. "WW-P makes assistant new high school chief." The Trenton Times. March 28, 1984.
  27. Snedeker, D. (2022, January 11). Looking back: Why do we have a regional school district?. Community News. https://www.communitynews.org/news/commentary/looking-back-why-do-we-have-a-regional-school-district/article_88930dd3-8c39-5e45-b9b7-92865d8eb048.html Originally published in paper newspaper on August 30, 2013.
  28. "Making the Rounds - Schools." The Times. December 8, 1985.
  29. "WW-P makes assistant new high school chief." The Trenton Times. March 28, 1984.
  30. "WW-P to lose principal." The Times. April 27, 1991.
  31. Latham, C. (2022, January 11). Rudnick & Downs Are Among Four Principals Leaving WW-P. Community News. https://www.communitynews.org/news/rudnick-downs-are-among-four-principals-leaving-ww-p/article_62cd2e19-8da4-5205-b535-d092b64593d3.html Originally published in paper newspaper on June 11, 2010.
  32. Ibid.
  33. Latham, C. (2022, January 11). Bonino Selected As New Principal at HS South. Community News. https://www.communitynews.org/news/bonino-selected-as-new-principal-at-hs-south/article_e19a17ae-fade-56c2-ad22-2dfad1be3125.html Originally published in paper newspaper on August 27, 2010.
  34. Community News. (2022, January 11). School Personnel Moves: Dennis Lepold will be New Principal at South. https://www.communitynews.org/news/school-personnel-moves-dennis-lepold-will-be-new-principal-at-south/article_96a1ea95-a4ee-51c7-ab95-630db004a1af.html Originally published in paper newspaper on JAnuary 11, 2022.
  35. Pujara, R. (2021, November 9). South welcomes new principal: Ms. Jessica Cincotta. The Pirate’s Eye. https://thepirateseye.org/3235/culture/south-welcomes-new-principal-ms-jessica-cincotta/ 
  36. "Ethan Hawke: Shy? Quiet? Only in his 'Dead Poets' Role." Town Topics. August 9, 1989.
  37. "Bryan Singer Film Retrospective Hosted By Marvin Reed At Library." Town Topics. March 29, 2006.
  38. "News Briefs - NJ delegates." The Times. December 8, 1989.
  39. "MUSIC; From Sulking Teenager to the King of Disco-Punk." The New York Times. May 22, 2005.
  40. "The Woman Who Drove Old Dixie Down." Moment Magazine. September/October 2020. Accessed online via: https://momentmag.com/the-woman-who-drove-old-dixie-down/
  41. https://www.west-windsor-plainsboro.k12.nj.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=70732423. (2022, November 5). Induction Ceremony for the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South Hall of Honor. https://www.west-windsor-plainsboro.k12.nj.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=70173743 Mentions Eileen Filler-Corn.
  42. "At WW-P High School North, the last of many firsts." Central Jersey news. June 18, 2002.
  43. "Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002.” Blue Ribbon Schools Program. United States Department of Education. Accessed September 14, 2023. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf.
  44. 346 Clarksville Road. (2023, September 8). West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Facebook Post on High School South’s 50th anniversary. West Windsor, NJ. Post contains text and pictures. Full url at: https://www.facebook.com/WWP.Schools
Contact Info
Museum Address​ (DO NOT send mail here): 50 Southfield Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Send ALL Mail To: 220 Meadow Brook Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Email: westwindsorhistory@gmail.com 
Phone: 609-751-4061
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