Academic Departments

The Manasquan High School Mathematics Department offers an extensive array of courses for students with varied academic interests and learning styles. The department works to enable each student to reach his or her potential in a supportive, academically rich environment. It is our belief that students will reach their potential in mathematics by utilizing critical thinking skills, engaging in discovery activities, and developing connections among topics. The mathematics curriculum is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and ensures that each student is prepared for any post secondary experience.

The department employs technology in the classroom with the use of interactive whiteboards, graphing calculators and a wide array of software. Students benefit from our state of the art classrooms which allow instructors to teach dynamic lessons that create diverse learning opportunities.

Supervisor of Mathematics and Science
Mr. Craig Murin

Faculty

Ms. Melissa Abad
Mrs. Ryan Basaman
Mr. Kris Buss
Mrs. Cheryl Canonaco
Mrs. Heidi Hodnett
Mr. Brett Lomas
Mrs. Gina Martucci
Mr. Jason Minutoli
Ms. Kristen Zdanowicz

Science is a process of investigating the natural and physical world. Because of this process orientation, science can be considered as a human endeavor that uses critical thinking. As a human activity, science shapes our lives, our environment and our future.

In a global environment dominated by technology, ecological problems, a fragile economy, the exploration of space, energy depletion and health concerns of epidemic proportions, the fundamental role of science in the education of our youth becomes apparent. It is the responsibility of the schools to equip all students with an understanding of the basic content of science and with a command of the skills required to make informed decisions regarding science related issues.

From elementary grades through high school, science education should provide learning outcomes that are relevant to the students' personal needs, societal issues, academic preparation and career awareness. In terms of personal needs, science should prepare individuals to use science to make everyday decisions and to solve everyday problems. When science education helps to produces informed citizens who can deal responsibly with science related social issues, the needs of society are addressed. Specific facts and skills are important in order to vote intelligently on science related issues or to participate in responsible community action. Although the direction of science education has shifted to the development of a scientifically and technologically literate work force, the need for science professionals will always remain a concern. In this respect, both academic preparation and career awareness are other facets of science education.

The science curriculum includes the ideas, perspectives and contributions of woman and men of diverse racial, cultural and ethnic groups.

Science education stresses the process and spirit of scientific inquiry. As a result, the methods of learning science reflect the methods of doing science. Such an approach allows students at all grade levels to become active participants in the exciting process of scientific investigation.

Supervisor of Mathematics and Science
Mr. Craig Murin

Faculty

Lawrence Chiang
Lisa Crowning
Katelyn Festa
James Freda
Thomas Glenn
Chryseis McHugh
Allison McQuillen
Adam Petriella
Eric Wasnesky

The Manasquan High School English Department provides students with an exciting,thought-provoking study of literature and language which stimulates their intellectual curiosity, develops critical thinking skills, fosters a love for reading and writing, and promotes an understanding of opposing ideas, beliefs,and cultures.  Through various literary genres the students refine their reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing skills. 

As they perfect and apply these skills, they are preparing themselves for the challenges they will face as active, informed participants in a global community. This cohesive and sequential course of study begins with a survey of authors and literary genre and then delves into American Literature. Students engage in challenging analysis while increasing their reading experience and complete their literary studies with World Literature.  High-achieving juniors and seniors may take Advanced Placement English Language and Composition and Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition. Students may also pursue their interests through electives such as Journalism,Writing, Screenwriting, Film, and Acting. 

Supervisor of English and Social Studies
Mr. Rick Coppola

Faculty

Marisa Choma
Monica Fenlon
Gabrielle Galizio
Harry Harvey
Meredith Heeter
Meghan Hillman
James Mawn
Jamie Onorato

The Manasquan High School Social Studies Department believes that our students should be prepared to be productive and participatory citizens of America and the world.  To that end the Social Studies Department offers a most comprehensive and challenging array of courses in both History and the Social Sciences taught by a highly qualified and experienced staff.  Offerings include classes at the college prep, Honors and Advanced Placement levels.  In addition to the required courses of World History and United States History I and II, students may choose from a wide variety of Social Studies electives.  These electives include courses focused on genocide and the Holocaust, the Vietnam Era and current world affairs along with Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Law and Citizenship and Controversial Issues in American History. 

Supervisor of English and Social Studies
Mr. Rick Coppola

Faculty

Mr. Jason Bryant
Mr. Christopher Craig
Mr. Ryan Critelli
Mr. Eric Mason
Mr. Julian Price
Mr. Zachary Savacool
Mr. Brent Shibla
Mr. Dennis VanPelt
Mrs. Christina Virok

Effective human productivity depends upon physical well-being and healthy living.  Education for physical development and health provides students with the knowledge and attitudes to achieve healthful living throughout their lives and to acquire physical fitness leading to the development of a healthy lifestyle.

To begin, our physical education program consists of physical activities that establish positive attitudes, movement competencies, vigor and strength enabling each student to establish a pattern of living for a useful and happy future life.  Each teacher creates an atmosphere where every student feels comfortable expressing themselves in an activity-based classroom.  These activities help students maintain an active lifestyle and develop wholesome attitudes toward their physical selves.  Our program develops a desire to participate in leisure-time activities and benefit from the social growth these activities can provide.  We relate to each student the importance of interaction with fellow students emotionally, both cooperatively and during competition.  The interest and needs of all students are met through instruction in and the development of sport skills, an understanding and appreciation for total body fitness and recreational games.  An individual can learn to get along with others in a competitive situation which can carry over non-competitive life situations.

Also, students must be provided with opportunities to explore health-related problems confronting contemporary society to enable them to make effective decisions concerning their own health and that of their family, friends and community. Our program is designed to cover a broad range of health-related problems but emphasis is placed on those problems of greatest immediate importance to the high school student.  Scientific discovery and recent progress in health science are examined as an approach to the solution of health problems.  Students are given numerous opportunities to participate in peer mentoring, health advocacy and service-learning as a part of the experiential learning model.

To sum up, the high school years are a tremendously important period in the development of each student, physically as well as mentally and emotionally.  A healthy body enables one to more fully enjoy all aspects of living and assures a greater likelihood of success in any worthwhile undertaking.  We urge every student to become thoroughly involved in our daily program encompassing a wide variety of activities.  Regular, enthusiastic participation is the pathway to a longer life and a more satisfying existence. Accordingly, the health and P/E curriculum is designed to address the State Core content standards over the course of four years.

Supervisor of Health and Physical Education
Mr. Donald Bramley

Faculty

Justin Barowski
Amy Certo
Kevin Hyland
Claire Kozic
Brian Lee
Matthew Schaad
Jill Santucci
Matt Voskian
Dana Warncke

We live in a rapidly-evolving world and the Manasquan High School Business and Technology Department recognizes that it is necessary to provide today’s young adults with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in this environment.

In the recent past, technology has had an increasing impact on the young individual, society, and the environment. We aim to create citizens who are technologically literate and are prepared to succeed in this fast-changing world. In our Technology classes, we are committed to providing MHS students with an education that develops their intellectual processes, skills development, and creativity through problem-based learning and authentic, challenging tasks.

In our Business classes, we aspire to create young adults who encompass the knowledge and abilities required to succeed in the fast-changing world of business. Through our diverse curriculum, we introduce students to a variety of business disciplines and learners gain a strong foundation in the theories and functional areas of business.

In both our Technology and Business classes, teachers provide MHS students with the tools necessary for success in the academic world and for lifelong achievement.

Supervisor of Business and Technology
Dr. Matthew Kukoda

Faculty

Mr. John Driscoll
Mrs. Linda Hoeler
Ms. Lorraine Koenig
Mr. Robert Waldeyer

The department of Visual and Performing Arts at Manasquan High School provides interested students with comprehensive curriculum in a variety of disciplines within creative arts.  All curriculum is aligned with the NJ Visual and Performing Arts Core Curriculum Learning Standards and emphasize interdisciplinary activities, cultural and historical relationships, career opportunities and college preparation in the arts. The mission of these standards are to empower students to develop creative and critical thinking, social-emotional competencies, and intellectual and expressive abilities that will allow them to become active, contributing members of a global society. 

Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts
Dr. Matthew Kukoda

Faculty

Melissa Galano
Ryan Graf
Alexis Herman
Bronwyn Link
Nicole Pagano
Madison Schille
Eva Szakal

The World Language Department at Manasquan High School designs its curriculum and courses to prepare students for authentic language use in the real world.  Students will be able to participate in culturally appropriate ways in face-to-face interactions with members of other cultures.  During instruction they are involved in meaningful, motivating and yet cognitively challenging activities in which they interact with each other producing language in meaningful real-life contexts.  While conversing, interpreting language, and presenting ideas and concepts, students also examine world cultures in order to make connections and contrasts that foster linguistic understanding and cultural appreciation of their local, state and world community.

The French and Spanish courses offered address the interests and needs of a diverse student body while fostering language acquisition, critical thinking skills, and creativity.  Students can enroll in courses designed for beginners, native speakers, and the talented students who want to continue their linguistic studies to the Advanced Placement level.

Supervisor of World Language
Ms. Maria Eldridge

Faculty

Carol Anderson
Allyson Griffith
Jeff Hoffman
Alison McGovern
Kristin Radzinsky
Lauren Thieme