Since the opening of Communications High School (CHS) in 2000, founding principal James Gleason has led the school to prominence as one of the state's top performing high schools. Located in the town of Wall, CHS recently achieved the distinction of having the fifth-highest combined SAT scores in the state. With a strong belief that all students learn best by doing, Gleason has provided a rich, diverse, career-focused curriculum that includes courses in journalism, graphic design, creative writing, photography, and film and television production. CHS students have won many awards in these areas. Gleason established a mentorship program at CHS in which seniors are sent to a workplace to learn more about potential careers. In 2006, 90 percent of CHS students were accepted into colleges, with $3.2 million awarded in scholarships. Prior to becoming principal, Gleason was a technology teacher and was vice principal of educational technology for Monmouth County Vocational School District. In 1992, Gleason was honored with a Governor's Teacher Award, and in 2007, he received the Art Administrator of the Year Award for Monmouth County.
1990 Trenton State College, B.S.
