Public schools Core Curriculum Content Standards   Homework help Local Schools   Private Schools  homeschooling Vocational Schools Alternative Schools Charter Schools Montessori Schools   Special Needs Schools & Libraries Summer Programs

If you are looking for any school related information county, state or international, you have come to the right place. Whether you are searching for public, private, vocational, alternative, or special needs schools, the following sites should lead you to the information you are seeking. If you need information on school closings or delayed openings, you can locate your school’s web page to find out about all the specifics or you can click on The List of Radio Stations in New Jersey to get the latest updates.

In addition to the World Wide Web, the Ocean County Library features printed resources as well as EbscoHost, a large electronic database of periodicals and newspapers. The following school directories, as well as school choice information resources, are available in the reference and circulating non-fiction sections in many of the branches of the Ocean County Library:

Directories

• Boarding Schools Directory/Association of Boarding Schools.
• Choosing an Independent School in New Jersey: Directory of Member Schools.
• The Handbook of Private Schools: An Annual Descriptive Survey of Independent Education.
• Municipal Reference Guide: New Jersey Northern Edition and Southern Edition.
• Peterson’s Summer Opportunities for Kids and Teenagers.
• Peterson’s Private Secondary Schools.
• Private Independent Schools: A Comprehensive Guide to Elementary and Secondary Schools in the United States and Abroad. 
• The Yale Daily News Guide to Summer Programs.

School Choice

• Charter Schools: Creating Hope and Opportunity for American Education.
• Getting the Best Education for Your Child: A Parent’s Checklist.
• How to Pick a Perfect Private School.
• Opportunities in Vocational and Technical Careers.
• The Parent’s Guide to Alternatives in Education.
• The Parent’s School Handbook: How to Make the Most of Your Child’s Education From Kindergarten to Middle School.
• School Choice: How to Select the Best Schools For Your Children.

Public Schools

County

Ocean County Superintendent of Schools

212 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-929-2079 (voice)
732-244-8242 (fax)

 www.state.nj.us/education
Survey and approval of all public education programs of Ocean County. Processes all applications for teacher certification, approves school bus transportation, processes all public school funding, provides in-service training. Conducts school improvement programs, approves school facilities, and supervises all educational programs for handicapped school children.

 Ocean County Community Information System
A community information web site that is supported by businesses and professionals. Useful for providing information both local and worldwide to the Ocean County Community. An Ocean County Schools Inter-Link provides an easy way to locate public school information and their web sites in Ocean County. Helpful to students, teachers, and the general public.

State

 New Jersey PTA
The largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. Membership is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health and welfare of children and youth. Links to the National PTA.

 New Jersey Department of Education
A New Jersey school directory with links to public, vocational, and non-public schools. Includes links to school official types and state government directories. 

NJ Higher Education Student Assistant Authority
New Jersey offers a multitude of ways to assist students realize their dreams of attending college. Several scholarships are available, as are loans, grants, and NJBest, a savings plan administered by the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority.

 New Jersey School Report Card
A link based on the New Jersey Department of Education site. It features a searchable list of schools by either county and district or by name. Demographics as well as Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (ESPA) and Grade 8 Proficiency Assessment (GEPA) statistics are included.

 NJ Department of Education: NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards
These standards, published in 1996, are used throughout New Jersey schools for grades K - 12. Copies of this guide are available at all OCL locations.

 New Jersey Department of Education Assessment of Skills and Knowledge
NJ ASK is a state assessment of student achievement in language arts, math, and science that was implemented in 2003 to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. This assessment replaces the ESPA and GEPA with the NJASK 3,4,5,6,7,and 8.

National

 U.S. Department of Education
As part of the Institutional Communications Network Project, the U.S. Department of Education has established this site to provide information to educators and researchers interested in education. You will find a wide variety of files here on K-12 education as well as vocational and adult education, goals of the Department of Education, programs, announcements and press releases, and educational software.

 No Child Left Behind
New education law signed by President Bush on January 8, 2002. It is designed to improve student achievement and is based on accountability for results; an emphasis on doing what works based on scientific research; expanded parental options; and expanded local control and flexibility.

Homework Help

 Be prepared for tests. Take a practice test online!
Please visit our Online Resources page for a full list of resources, or go directly to Learning Express Library for practice exams for schools & career.  

  Live Homework Help is an exciting new program offered at the Ocean County Library!  Students can connect to qualified tutors through an Online Classroom for homework help in math, science, social studies or English. For grades 4 – 12.

 Department of Education Homework Tips For Parents
This web site provides resources for parents on helping children with homework.

 KidsClick!
A search engine/web guide for children maintained by the Colorado State Library. Contains links in all content areas.

Private Schools

 National Association of Independent Schools
Represents over 1,100 independent schools and associations in the U.S. and abroad. Independent schools are distinct from other schools in that they are primarily supported by tuitions, charitable contributions and endowment income rather than by tax or church funds.

 Private School Web Sites
Directories of North American Schools maintained by private or commercial interests.

  Local Private Schools

Homeschooling

If you are home schooling or thinking of home schooling, this web page has been created to simplify your search.  Remember to check out our collection of home schooling books at your local Ocean County Library branch.  The library also subscribes to the periodicals Homeschooling Today and Practical Homeschooling.

 A to Z’s Cool Home Schooling Website
An informative, easygoing site, this is probably the most comprehensive home school website you will encounter, with information about beginning to home school, home schooling materials and curricula, teaching methods, joining or starting a support group and lots more.

 CHELF (Catholic Home Educators for Fun)
This group was  started  with the goals of providing both children and parents with social contact, educational fun, spiritual growth, and support. CHELF has a monthly mass, educational workshops, and other fun activities.

The Jewish Home Educator's Network
  A simple site with frequently asked questions about Jewish Homeschooling and contact information for their quarterly newsletter.

Home School Legal Defense Association
HSLDA is “a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms.”  Many questions that beginners ask will be answered on this site and their legal staff is happy to speak with inquiring parents (phone: 540-338-5600).

The Home School Mom
 With its more homespun quality, it offers such diverse information as ideas on frugal living, recipes and advice for the busy mom as well as many other good links for lesson plans and information for the beginning home educator.

National Home Education Network 
A volunteer organization that provides home schooling information, networking opportunities, home schooling newsletters, frequently asked questions, public relations information and lots more. NHEN wants to make it easier for home school families to network together.  Their site covers such diverse topics as military home schooling, high school home schooling, events and conferences, and special needs home schoolers

National Home Education Research Institute
Site for research on statistics and facts about home schooling, it serves as a clearinghouse of research for the public, researchers, home schoolers, the media and policy makers. 

New Jersey Vegan Families Roots & Shoots
For preschool or grade-school children who would like to be involved with Dr. Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots program through New Jersey Vegan Families.

The UnSchoolers Network

Some local contacts in Ocean County:

Nancy Voitko
Ocean County Library
Library Trainee
nvoitko@theoceancountylibrary.org
http://oceancountyhomeschooling.blogspot.com/

AGAPE (a Christian based group in the Toms River, Lakewood, Brick, Pt. Pleasant area)
Caroline
CGGomes@comcast.net

CORNERSTONE HOME EDUCATION GROUP (Christian based group in Howell/Jackson area)
Michele Gross
Grace2u@optonline.net

FOCUS   (Fellowship Of Christian United home Schoolers) 
(Supporting Christian home schooling families in northern Ocean and southern Monmouth counties)
Christine
cabrams755@optonline.net
732-901-5525 (church phone number)

THE GATHERER INSTITUTE (non-denominational, all-faiths-welcome home schooling group, concentrating on outdoor activities)
Frank
Frank@carefortheearth.org

JMJ CATHOLIC HOME EDUCATORS (Catholic group in Monmouth/Ocean counties)
Nancy
nbvstudio@aol.com

NEW EGYPT HOME SCHOOLERS (NEW EGYPT, PLUMSTED, JACKSON)
PHYLLIS
Kiernanfamily7@netzero.com

NEW JERSEY VEGAN FAMILIES HOMESCHOOLERS (For homeschoolers or unschoolers who would like to discuss relevant topics and ideas for vegan families)
NJVF_Homeschoolers-owner@yahoogroups.com

Vocational Schools
Education intended to teach and/or train the student in a particular vocation or profession.

 National Center for Research in Vocational Education
The Office of Vocational and Adult Education of the U.S. Department of Education support NCRVE. Links to publications, services and information, and vocational education resources.

Alternative Schools
Education that takes place outside of established school systems.

 Center For Education Reform
A national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization founded to provide support and guidance to parents and teachers, community and civic groups, policy makers and leaders, and all who are bringing fundamental reforms to schools.

 The Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)
AERO is a non-profit organization sponsored by the School of Living, which was founded in 1934. This site helps you to start new community schools, public and private, or change existing schools. It also provides information to you in home schooling your children, or finding private or public alternative schools.

Charter Schools

 Charter Friends National Network
CFNN’S mission is to promote quality charter schools by connecting and supporting resource centers and other state level charter support organizations and activities.

 US Charter Schools
This site offers extensive guidance for starting and running a charter school, including writing a mission statement, instructional development, budgeting, and fundraising. Features charter school profiles, state information and contracts, discussion groups, and links to other resources.

Montessori Schools

 International Montessori Index
The Index is a comprehensive source for information about Montessori education. It includes a thorough explanation of Montessori teaching methods with links to articles, training organizations worldwide, tips on starting a Montessori school or educating your child at home. A list is included of where to buy Montessori teaching products.

Special Needs Schools and Libraries
Techniques and subject matter designed for students whose learning needs cannot be met by a standard school curriculum.

 Council For Exceptional Children
The Council For Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

 ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education
ERIC gathers and disseminates professional literature, information, and resources on the education and development of individuals of all ages who have disabilities and/or who are gifted.

 New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped
The services of the New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped are available without charge to anyone living in New Jersey, who for any physical reason, cannot read regular printed books with ease. Readers served by the Library include: people of any age with vision problems for whom reading is difficult, people who are blind, people with paralysis, arthritis, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis for whom holding a book or turning its pages is difficult.

 Special Education Resources on the Internet
Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) is a collection of Internet accessible information resources of interest to those involved in the fields related to Special Education. This collection exists in order to make online Special Education resources more easily and readily available in one location.

Summer Programs

 Peterson’s Summer Programs for Kids and Teenagers
A database of more than 1,600 organizations, from traditional camps and tour groups, to private schools and colleges which offer summer programs for a vast array of interests. Sites can be accessed in alphabetical or geographical order, and keyword searching is available for in-depth program descriptions.

Visit Our College and University Information Site!!!