Most Dangerous Schools in NJ

The state Department of Education released the names of New Jersey's seven most dangerous schools Thursday, setting off a controversy over the criteria and reporting guidelines used to compile the list.

Six of the seven schools on the list are from southern New Jersey, while no schools from Newark are represented.

The schools are the first to be designated as "persistently dangerous" under terms of the No Child Left Behind legislation passed by the federal government.

The schools on the list are Camden High School, East Camden Middle School and Camden's Bonsall Elementary School; Atlantic City High School; Lakeside Middle School in Millville; the Simmons Elementary School in Clayton, and the Healy Middle School in East Orange.

Some educators questioned whether those seven were the most dangerous schools in the state or whether they were just the ones that reported most accurately.

"There is not one school in Newark on that list," Atlantic City School Superintendent Fredrick P. Nickles told The Press of Atlantic City. "We're being penalized for being honest in our reporting."

State officials said they have been working to improve reporting, and admit there is still confusion over what types of incidents are to be reported.

The 2001-2002 report, released in June, showed that Newark, with 45,000 students, reported a total of 527 incidents, while Atlantic City, with 7,000 students, reported 365.

Under federal law, the schools have 15 days to notify parents that they are on the list. Children in the schools will be allowed to transfer to another school in the district.

Millville schools superintendent Larry Miller said the district is appealing the designation. He said some incidents were mistakenly reported twice.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy," he said. "If a student brings in a water pistol that looks like a gun, that's a violation. We want to send a message. Now that is hurting us."

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