The Admiral William F. Halsey Leadership Academy is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Elizabeth, New Jersey

Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...

, as part of the Elizabeth Public Schools

Elizabeth Public Schools

Elizabeth Public Schools is a public school district headquartered in Elizabeth, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide...

. The Leadership Academy shares one large building with the John Dwyer Technology Academy

John Dwyer Technology Academy

The John E. Dwyer Technology Academy is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Elizabeth, New Jersey, as part of the Elizabeth Public Schools. The Technology Academy shares one large building with the Admiral William Halsey Leadership Academy, the Peter B...

, the Peter B. Gold Administration Building, and the Thomas Dunn Sports Center, which together form the Main Complex.

History

The Admiral William F. Halsey Leadership Academy was named after Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.

William Halsey, Jr.

Fleet Admiral William Frederick Halsey, Jr., United States Navy, , was a U.S. Naval officer. He commanded the South Pacific Area during the early stages of the Pacific War against Japan...

, Commander of the South Pacific Area and the Third Fleet during World War II, who was born in Elizabeth. During the war, he commented, "There are no great men. There are only great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet."

Curriculum

Students enrolled in the Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Leadership Academy, in addition to completing a college preparatory program, also participate in programs, electives, classes, and activities that focus on the leadership development of each student. The principles of Stephen R. Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, first published in 1989, is a self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey. It has sold more than 15 million copies in 38 languages since first publication, which was marked by the release of a 15th anniversary edition in 2004...

serve as the foundation for the Halsey Leadership Academy program; peer leadership, community service, and student government activities are emphasized. Honors and advanced-placement classes are offered. School uniforms are mandated.

Each student has the opportunity to select from among the four "strands" of study offered. Students enrolling in the Military Leadership Strand participate in the school's Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps

Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps

The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a Federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the United States...

. Students enrolling in the Criminal Justice and Law Leadership Strand participate in activities that provide them with an understanding of the responsibilities assumed by men and women who select careers in law enforcement or within the legal system.
Those enrolling in the Education Leadership Strand gain insight into what it takes to succeed in the education and childcare fields. Finally, students enrolling in the Business Leadership Strand participate in coursework, internships, and other activities that introduce them to the world of business and e-commerce, and help them to develop a foundation in entrepreneurial, management, and administrative skills.

Connection to Main Complex

Some extracurricular activities and sports teams are found in Halsey Academy. The building functions as a hub as other students from the other Elizabeth Academies and Elizabeth High School use the facility after school hours. The Main Complex also holds Elizabeth High School's swimming pool, where the swim team practices and meets are held.

Athletics

The Academy does not have its own athletic teams. Students from all the Elizabeth Academies, including Elizabeth High School, are all on one sports team, competing against other schools outside the city.

The Elizabeth Minutemen competed in the Watchung Conference

Watchung Conference

The Watchung Conference was a high school sports association under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association . The conference consisted of eleven public high schools covering Essex County, Hudson County and Union County in northern New Jersey. In 2009, the...

, a high school sports association under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). The conference consisted of public high schools in the Essex, Hudson, and Union counties of New Jersey. It was disbanded in 2009.

The football team won the 2006 North II, Group IV state sectional championships, defeating Phillipsburg High School, 14-9. The team won the 1999 North II, Group IV sectional championship with a 26-14 win over Montclair High School.

The boys basketball team won the 2003 North II, Group IV title, topping Linden High School

Linden High School (New Jersey)

Linden High School is a comprehensive community public high school located in Linden in Union County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Linden Public Schools...

 77-72 in the final.

The Elizabeth High School girls rugby

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

 team won the title of Northeast Regional Champions in June 2008. They went on to become the 7th-ranked Girls U-19 rugby

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

team in the nation. The team was formed in 2006.
Fall Sports

• Football (Boys)
• Soccer (Boys and Girls)
• Volleyball (Girls)
• Tennis (Girls)
• Cross Country (Boys and Girls)
• Gymnastics (Boys and Girls)

Winter Sports

• Indoor Track (Boys and Girls)
• Basketball (Boys and Girls)
• Wrestling (Boys)
• Swimming (Boys and Girls)
• Bowling (Boys and Girls)

Spring Sports

• Outdoor Track (Boys and Girls)
• Baseball (Boys)
• Softball (Girls)
• Tennis (Boys)
• Golf (Boys and Girls)