Junior Steve Ostrom of Lincroft’s final decision to attend CHS reflected his own eagerness to attend the school, more so “than other people who were pressured by their parents.”

“My mom wanted me to apply to an MCVSD in general, but she didn’t really have an influence on which one I picked,” Ostrom said. 

Senior Jennifer McCue of Freehold Township’s parents had a similar mentality. “I applied to CHS based on my own interest…it was 100% my choice to come here,” McCue said. Her parents did help guide her to discover her best option, but she explained that “they left it up to me whether I wanted to go or not, which made it easier for me to make my decision.”

Freshman Julia Regati of Colts Neck High School, on the other hand, was barred from applying to CHS by her parents. Regatti attended an information session at the school, and although she wanted to apply, her parents “said it was too far away.” Rigatti said that she felt CHS was a great fit for her, but the distance and lack of support from her parents were enough to drive her away from applying to the school.

After being accepted into CHS, students must decide to accept or deny the offer. This can be a challenge for both students and parents, especially for those who are unfamiliar with CHS. Senior Jack McHugh of Manasquan said that his parents, with their son’s best intentions in mind, forced him to go to a vocational school. He decided himself, though, to come to CHS because it is not a “math school” like the other MCVSD Career Academies and he feels he “thrive[s] in a smaller environment.”

“I feel like this was a great decision and I made a lot of good friends, helping me prepare for college,” McHugh said.

Many parents and students, however, are satisfied with their decision not to enroll in CHS. Elizabeth Friedman, the mother of now-UCLA freshman Eden Breslauer-Friedman, was pleased with her daughter’s decision to remain at her home high school. 

“I’m very happy she went to Freehold Township High School because she was happy, she participated in sports and she excelled academically,” Friedman said. “I think it’s a very personal decision and each school has different things to offer.”