Donna Ambrosius, Superintendent“We look for success for every one of our students in a different way, and we want them to know that they always have a place here, even after graduation,” says Ambrosius, superintendent.
Serving approximately 1,600 students, the district offers 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses that allow learners to pursue rigorous coursework. About 80 percent of students scored three or higher on at least one AP exam, while 39 students earned recognition across three AP Scholar categories. Building on this academic performance, Florence Township School District earned a place on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll. It also ranked 166th in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s high school rankings, with a graduation rate of 98 percent.
Behind these achievements is the dedication of its teachers and staff, who use student data and targeted support to address individual learning needs and foster a sense of belonging. The district offers 44 clubs and activities spanning athletics, performing arts, and other pursuits, with more than 300 students participating in sports. Students can explore academic and post-graduation pathways through dual-credit courses, electives, and a junior-year college and career fair, while clubs and athletics help them discover interests, develop confidence, and build teamwork.
Some opportunities take shape directly from what students want to learn. When high school students expressed a desire to learn basic cooking skills, Florence Township School District partnered with a local provider to establish a farm-to-table club. Students learn to prepare meals using locally sourced vegetables, developing everyday skills while connecting with the area's agricultural resources. Their learning culminates in an annual food-tasting event, bringing the experience full circle.
Helping students find their footing also requires relationships that support their personal development. Through Peer Ambassadors Teaching Hope & Success (P.A.T.H.S.), a peer-mentoring program, high school students mentor middle schoolers, encouraging positive decision-making while developing their own leadership skills. A separate staff-to-student mentoring program connects students with trusted adults who provide guidance and encouragement beyond the classroom. For students who need more intensive support, the district offers guidance counseling, school-based mental health services, and therapeutic wraparound services that involve families.
Across K-12, Florence Township School District uses a responsive classroom approach to build students’ coping, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. That emphasis begins in the earliest years with eight universal preschool classrooms focused on academic, language, and social-emotional development. To create greater continuity before children enter district schools, the district partners with local childcare centers to align instructional approaches. With a waiting list already established, expanding preschool access has become a priority.
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We look for success for every one of our students in a different way, and we want them to know that they always have a place here, even after graduation.
Beyond the classroom, STEAM Saturdays and school traditions bring Florence Township School District’s close-knit community together. Through its Flash volunteer program, local residents support students and teachers by helping in classrooms, assisting in the media center, preparing materials, and reading with children. An emerging alumni association aims to extend these relationships across generations by connecting graduates with current students.
The district has also partnered with Rutgers University on a grant opportunity to examine community-based instruction for students in special education and identify ways to prepare them for the workforce. Community input further guides its future, with the 2027–2031 strategic plan addressing preschool capacity amid anticipated housing growth.
Florence Township School District continues to prepare students for life beyond graduation with strong academic foundations and meaningful relationships. Graduates know they will always be welcome back, carrying lasting ties to a community that remains part of their lives. By nurturing student potential and fostering lifelong connections, the district embodies the spirit of a small school with big dreams and its distinction as a Top Public School District 2026.
