# Admiral William Halsey Leadership Academy

The Admiral William F. Halsey Health and Public Safety Academy is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Elizabeth, in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as part of the Elizabeth Public Schools. The Leadership Academy shares a large building with the John Dwyer Technology Academy, the Peter B. Gold Administration Building, and the Thomas Dunn Sports Center, which together form the Main Complex. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 2013.
As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,291 students and 89.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.5:1. There were 899 students (69.6% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 140 (10.8% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.

## Awards, recognition and rankings

The school was the 335th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology. The school had been ranked 311th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after not being ranked in 2010.

## History

The High school was established on September 9, 2009, as the Admiral William F. Halsey Leadership Academy and the Annex as "Admiral William F. Halsey Finance Academy (AOF). Before there was originally there were only 2 high school (Elizabeth High School) and (Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy). Before 2009 the schools were considered as "Houses" during that time period there were only 4 "Houses" there was "Halsey House", "Dwyer House", "Jefferson House", "Edison House", "Aboff House." Now Halsey Academy and the John E. Dwyer Technology Academy share the building otherwise known as "The Main."
"Halsey Academy" was named after William Frederick "Bull" Halsey Jr. (October 30, 1882 – August 16, 1959) he was an American Navy admiral during World War II. He is one of four officers to have attained the rank of five-star fleet admiral of the United States Navy.

## Curriculum

Students enrolled in the Admiral William F. Halsey Health & Public Safety 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 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. The school is one of five in the state to participate in the Marine Corps JROTC program.
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. Also, before 2016, students enrolling in the Business Leadership Strand. which was once part of the academy, 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. Those students who follow on those skills were later moved to their own School, known as the Academy of Finance, in Upper Academy.
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.