Princeton High School (New Jersey)

Princeton High School (New Jersey)
Name	Princeton High School
Established	1898
Type	Public high school
District	Princeton Public Schools
Principal	Cecilia Birge
Faculty	110.0 FTEs
Enrollment	1,586 (as of 2022–23)
Grades	9–12
City	Princeton
State	New Jersey
Country	United States
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Orange and black
Nickname	Tigers
Website	phs.princetonk12.org

Princeton High School (New Jersey) is a comprehensive four-year public high school located in Princeton, serving students in ninth through twelfth grades as the sole secondary school of the Princeton Public Schools. The school is accredited by the New Jersey Department of Education and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It is widely recognized for its rigorous academic programs and consistently ranks among the top public high schools in the state and nation by publications such as U.S. News & World Report.

History

The institution traces its origins to the 1898 establishment of Princeton High School on Green Street, consolidating earlier local schools. A significant expansion occurred in 1927 with the construction of a new building on Walnut Lane, designed by the architectural firm Raleigh C. Gildersleeve. The school relocated to its current 40-acre campus on Moore Street in 1965, a project overseen by the firm of Vincent G. Kling. Throughout the 20th century, it evolved from a regional school serving Princeton Township and Princeton Borough into a unified district following the municipal consolidation of Princeton in 2013.

Academics

The curriculum features a wide array of Advanced Placement courses across disciplines including Calculus, Biology, and European History. Specialized programs include the Princeton University-affiliated PHS Scholars research program and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Students consistently achieve high scores on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, with a significant percentage recognized as National Merit Scholarship commended students or semifinalists. The school maintains partnerships with nearby institutions such as the Institute for Advanced Study and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory for advanced research opportunities.

Campus and facilities

The main campus is situated on Moore Street, adjacent to the John Witherspoon Middle School. Facilities include the performing arts center named for former principal Walter M. Smits, a library-media center, and specialized laboratories for robotics and environmental science. Athletic facilities encompass Singer Stadium for football and lacrosse, a gymnasium complex, and multiple tennis courts. Recent renovations have modernized the science wing and expanded technology infrastructure to support STEM education initiatives.

Athletics and activities

The Princeton Tigers compete in the Colonial Valley Conference and are classified by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association for athletic competition. Teams have won state championships in sports including cross country, soccer, and fencing. The school fields over 30 varsity teams and numerous club sports. Extracurricular offerings include award-winning programs in debate, Model United Nations, and the Princeton High School Theatre Program, which stages major productions in the Smits Theater.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields such as politics, academia, arts, and athletics. Notable figures include former Governor of New Jersey Jim Florio, United States Senator Paul Sarbanes, and Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Joseph H. Taylor. In entertainment, alumni include actress Brooke Shields and Broadway performer Laura Benanti. Athletic standouts include Olympic rower Seth Lesser and National Football League player Dennis Norman.

Demographics and enrollment

As of the 2022-23 school year, the student population was 1,586 with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. Demographic composition reported to the New Jersey Department of Education indicated a diverse student body. Enrollment is drawn primarily from the municipality of Princeton, with a small number of students attending through the Interdistrict Public School Choice Program. The school's population reflects the international character of the community, with families affiliated with Princeton University, the Institute for Advanced Study, and various corporate and research centers in the region.

Category:Public high schools in New Jersey Category:Educational institutions established in 1898 Category:Princeton, New Jersey