he says. “That pride carries forward. You see it in everything from attendance to local involvement.” This environment supports both high achievers headed to Ivy League universities and young entrepreneurs launching their first business ideas. For Citta, the key is exposure.“It’s our job to expose kids to as many opportunities as possible. Students drive the bus in shaping their pathways. We help open the doors.” THE BUSINESS ACADEMY: A HUB OF INNOVATION If there is one program that captures Toms River’s forward-thinking vision, it is the Business Academy at High School South. Designed around the needs and interests of Gen Z, the academy merges entrepreneurship, technology, and hands-on learning. Peck recalls how the idea came to life. “When we looked at Gen Z research, the word that kept coming up was entrepreneurial,” he says. “These students want flexibility, creativity, and meaningful work. We knew we could build something special.” A partnership with the Hovnanian Corporation provided a crucial seed grant of $150,000 to renovate what was once a shop room. Teachers collaborated to design a cutting-edge space based on the Learner Active Technology Infused Classroom model. “Everything is on wheels,” Peck says.“Furniture, smart boards, partitions. Every class transforms the room into what they need. It’s like walking into a different facility every period.” Photo Credit: Toms River High School South student Gabrielle Carvalho Toms River High School South students collaborate within one of the cubicles of the school’s Business Academy headquarters. 364 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOLS
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