Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get to Bishop George Ahr High School?
- What are Bishop George Ahr High School's histories and principles?
- What comprises Bishop George Ahr's academic curriculum?
- Does Bishop George Ahr High School have an honors program?
- What are the entrance requirements for Bishop George Ahr High School?
- What counseling services are available to BGA students?
- What is Bishop George Ahr High School's grading system?
- What interscholastic sports are available to students at BGA?
- What student organizations are available at BGA?
- What are the statistics on BGA's graduate placement and scholarship awards?
- Which colleges have accepted BGA graduates?
- How do I get to Bishop George Ahr High School?
Driving directions are available by clicking the following link: Driving Directions
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- What are Bishop George Ahr High School's histories and principles?
Bishop George Ahr High School, Founded in 1969, as St. Thomas Aquinas High School, is a co-educational college preparatory school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey. The school's thirty-six acre campus is located in the northern section of Edison Township. The students come from communities in Middlesex, Union, and Somerset Counties in Central New Jersey. These communities represent a wide variety of backgrounds and economic levels. The current enrollment is 1000 students.
The administration and teaching faculty are composed of Felician Sisters and lay people. All 70 faculty members hold a B.S. or B.A. degree; a significant percentage have M.A.'s and some hold a PhD. Bishop George Ahr High School is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (2007-2014) and the State of New Jersey.
In order to provide its students with a rich, qualitative academic experience, the philosophy of education at Bishop George Ahr High School stresses the proven traditional curriculum and methods of a humanities based approach to education while keeping abreast with current trends. The development of creative thinking, as well as written and oral communication skills are among the primary objectives within this course of studies.
As a Catholic school, Bishop George Ahr High School dedicates itself to the formation of the total person in Christ, since in Christ, all human values find their meaning and fulfillment. Through the Campus Ministry Program and a well balanced program of spiritual, academic and physical activities, this goal is encouraged and achieved.
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- What comprises Bishop George Ahr's academic curriculum?
Bishop George Ahr High School offers strong programs of academic instruction in both the honors and the regular college preparatory course of studies. The curriculum provides a liberal education which meets the most stringent college requirements. In order to offer the best possible preparation for higher studies, Bishop George Ahr High School has the following curriculum:
- Religion (4 years required)
English (4 years required)
College Prep Math (4 years required)
World History (1 year required)
US History (2 years required)
Foreign Language (2 years required--3 years recommended)
Science (3 years required)
Computer Science (1 year required)
Fine Arts (1 year required)
Physical Education (6 semesters)
Career Education (2 quarters required)
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- Does Bishop George Ahr High School have an honors program?
Yes. Qualified students of the incoming Freshman Class are invited each year to participate in a 4 year Inter-Disciplinary Honors Humanity Program. The honors program is comprised of a uniquely formulated series of accelerated courses. The program is designed to be both highly competitive and challenging in an effort to stimulate the student's innate ability.
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- What are the entrance requirements for Bishop George Ahr High School?
Bishop George Ahr High School was founded to serve the Catholics of the Diocese and has enjoyed their support and assistance. Enrollment is open to young men and women of all faiths as resources permit, with priority given to Catholic students.
Bishop George Ahr High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex in the administration of its educational, admissions or financial policies, activities, athletics, or school administered programs.
In order to be considered for admission to the Freshmen Class, the student must successfully complete the eighth grade, present adequate academic credentials, and take the entrance test.
Eighth grade students wishing to enter Bishop George Ahr High School must take a Placement Test at the high school. Acceptance is based on placement test scores, elementary school grades and teacher recommendations.
For more information, please visit our Admissions section by clicking here.
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- What counseling services are available to BGA students?
As part of its services, the School Counseling Department provides a full range of career and college resources over a four year period. It is a service designed to inform and advise students on matters of career and vocational choice so that each student may make an intelligent choice of a career and vocation. Through individual and group counseling, the department concerns itself with the needs of the individual with respect to growth and development of the whole person.
The Department has received funding for Career Education from the State of New Jersey to provide material and equipment for student.
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- What is Bishop George Ahr High School's grading system?
GRADE CONVERSION TABLE
A+ = 97-100 C+ = 80-84 A = 92-96 C = 75-79* B+ = 88-91 D = 70-74 B = 85-87 F = Below 70 (Failing)
*Minimum college recommended grade.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE The student's grade point average is derived from all subjects except Physical Education, Health, and Career Education. This average is computed using the following quality points:
Effective June 1996, Bishop George Ahr High School no longer ranks students.AP Courses Honor Courses College Prep
[Level A]College Prep
[Level B]A+ = 5.25
A = 5.00
B+ = 4.25
B = 4.00
C+ = 3.25
C = 3.00
D = 2.00A+ = 4.75
A = 4.50
B+ = 3.75
B = 3.50
C+ = 2.75
C = 2.50
D = 1.50A+ = 4.25
A = 4.00
B+ = 3.25
B = 3.00
C+ = 2.25
C = 2.00
D = 1.00A+ = 4.00
A = 3.75
B+ = 3.00
B = 2.75
C+ = 2.00
C = 1.75
D = 0.75
HONOR ROLL
The Honor Rolls are based upon all subjects including physical education, health and career education. No student with a grade below a "B" merits honor roll status.
Back to topMinimum Grade In Each Subject Distinguished Honors A First Honors B+ Second Honors B
- What interscholastic sports are available to students at BGA?
Boys Girls Bowling, Cross Country
Baseball--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Basketball--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Football--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Soccer--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Wrestling--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Golf, Swimming, Tennis
Spring Track, Winter TrackBowling, Cross Country
Softball--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Basketball--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Cheerleading--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Soccer--Freshman, JV, Varsity
Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming,
Tennis, Volleyball
Spring Track, Winter Track
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- What student organizations are available at BGA?
An important part of the high school experience is the student's participation with fellow students and faculty members in activities of personal enrichment and development. Bishop George Ahr offers a full range of activities and sports which stimulate and develop the interests of each student. All Students are eligible for participation in school activities.
Back to topCLUBS African Heritage Club Ahr Choice Ahr Star Amnesty International/Peace and Justice Anime Club Anytown Club Aquinas Wellness Society Art Club Asian Club Christian Social Action Club Dance Club Drama Club Ekphrasis Club French Club Future Teachers Gaming Club Hope-4-Animals Irish Cultural Club Italian Club Law Explorers Medical Explorers Mission Club Mock Trial Club Polish Club Pro Life Club S.A.F.E. (Save Ahr Future Environment) Science & Engineering Adventurers SEW Be It Spanish Club Step Club Student Council P.in.K Theta Alpha Sigma (Theatre Arts Society)l Varsity Club
HONOR SOCIETIES
Tri-M (Music Honor Society)
French Honor Society
Hispanic Honor Society
Italian Honor Society
Latin Honor Society
National Honor Society
MUSIC/BAND
Chorus
Concert Band
Concert Choir
Jazz Band
Liturgical Music Group
Marching Band
Pit Band
PUBLICATIONS
Insight (Yearbook)
Reflections (Literary Magazine)
Satoma (Newsmagazine)
bgahs.org (School Website)
THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
Fall Production
Shakespeare Production
Spring Musical
- What are the statistics on BGA's graduate placement and scholarship awards?
Graduates of 2010 243 Students
College 97%
Work/Military 3%
Scholarships and grants awarded to the 2010 graduating class of Bishop George Ahr High School amounted to over $33 million.
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- Which colleges have accepted BGA graduates?
NEW ENGLAND Back to top
Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Boston University
Brown University
Bryant College
Fairfield University
Harvard University
College of the Holy Cross
Northeastern University
Providence College
Smith College
Stonehill College
Trinity College
Tufts University
University of Connecticut
University of Hartford
University of Massachusetts
University of New Hampshire
University of Rhode Island
University of Vermont
Widener University
Yale University
MID-ATLANTIC
Albright College
Alfred University
American University
Bucknell University
Canisius College
Carnegie-Melon University
Catholic University of America
Colgate University
College Misericordia
College of New Jersey
Cooper-Union
Cornell University
Dickenson University
Drew University
Drexel University
Duquesne University
East Stroudsburg University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fashion Institute of Technology
Fordham University
Franklin & Marshall College
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Georgian Court College
Gettysburg College
Haverford College
Hofstra University
Howard University
Ithaca College
Jersey City State College
Johnson & Wales
Johns Hopkins University
Kean College of New Jersey
Kings College
Lafayette College
LaSalle University
Lehigh University
Loyola College
Manhattan College
Marist College
Monmouth University
Montclair State College
Morgan State University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New York University
Niagara University
Pace University
Penn State
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science
Princeton University
Ramapo College
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute
Rider University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rowan College
Russell Sage College
Rutgers University/College of Engineering
Rutgers University/College of Nursing
Rutgers University/College of Pharmacy
Rutgers University/Cook College
Rutgers University/Douglass College
Rutgers University/Livingston College
Rutgers University/Mason Gross School of the Arts
Rutgers University/Rutgers College
St Bonaventure University
St Francis of Loretto College
St Johns University
St Josephs University
St Peters College
Seton Hall University
School of Visual Arts
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stockton State College
Swarthmore University
Susquehanna University
Temple University
Towson University
US Military Academy
US Naval Academy
University of Delaware
University of Maryland
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of Scranton
Villanova University
Washington and Jefferson College
William Paterson College
SOUTH
Clemson University
College of William and Mary
Duke University
East Carolina University
Florida A&M University
Florida State University
Hampton College
Loyola University of New Orleans
Mississippi State University
Morehouse College
Morgan State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina State University
Spelman College
St Leo's Florida
Tulane University
University of Miami
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Virginia
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
West Virginia University
MID-WEST
Case Western Reserve University
Indiana State University
Kent State University
Kenyon College
Michigan State
Ohio State University
Purdue University
University of Dayton
University of Michigan
University of Notre Dame
WEST
Arizona State University
Colorado State University
Pepperdine College
Rice University
Stanford University
University of Arizona
University of Dallas
University of Southern California
University of Texas