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Sparta High School

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Local High Schools Not Ranked by Newsweek

Top 2,000 public schools across nation placed in annual standings, none from Sussex County crack list.

Hopatcong and Sparta High Schools both missed the top-2,000 high schools in the nation as ranked by Newsweek in its annual report released this week. The standings showed 93 schools from New Jersey made the master list, but none from Sussex County could crack the top 2,000. Just nine schools from Morris County made the list. Newsweek prefaced the list by saying the schools were ranked by how effective they were in turning out college-ready graduates. There are six components that factored into the listing methodology: In April, U.S. News & World Report released its top high schools in the nation, with the top-50 making the cut for New Jersey. Neither Hopatcong or Sparta High Schools made that list, either. No Sussex County school made the …

Class of 96

7:14 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2013

"We not ranked" that's "unpossible" ? Wow! Not sure what else to say!   more ›

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Sparta, Hopatcong High Schools Miss NJ Rankings

U.S. News & World Report's annual national rankings released; no Sussex County schools make top 50 spots in the state.

Sparta High School students tested either at or above New Jersey averages, while Hopatcong High School students tested below those numbers, and neither were ranked in the top 50 schools in the state, according to U.S. News & World Report. The magazine’s annual high school rankings were released Tuesday morning and showed a changeup in the top 10 spots, and no Sussex County school made the top 54. The top spot went to Biotechnology High School in Freehold, ousting this year’s number two, High Technology High School. Three main factors are calculated for the rankings, including college readiness, math proficiency and language proficiency. U.S. News & World Report ranked Hopatcong and Sparta High Schools as indicated in the chart: Sparta had …

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Surenuff

8:25 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013

I make that you when you move feces around it still stinks   more ›

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Drug-Dealing Student Had Pot, Knife at School, Cops Say

Sparta High School senior allegedly had $4,450, drugs and a 13-inch knife on school property.

An 18-year-old Sparta High School student was arrested Thursday for allegedly selling drugs and having a knife on school property, police said. School officials searched a car driven by senior Eric Roberts when he arrived at the school at about 11 a.m. Thursday. He was found to have a 13-inch butterfly knife, $4,450 in cash and marijuana divided in separate Ziploc bags, allegedly for distribution, according to Sgt. John-Paul Beebe. Roberts was charged with distribution of narcotics on school property, possession of marijuana, possession of a weapon on school property and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on his own recognizance later that day and is scheduled to appear in municipal court on Thursday, Jan. 31.

Concerned dad of 2

9:51 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013

We'll pay for his lawyer and he's probably back in school. We know every kid deserves an education even if at the expense of the majority! I continue to pay for private education.   more ›

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Rivalry Remains Intense Between Sparta, Pope John

'This game means so much to our town,' Pope John alum says of crosstown rivalry.

Sparta and Pope John High Schools are only separated by 3.5 miles, but for the fans of either school, they are worlds apart. The rivalry, which spans about five decades, continued on Tuesday night with Pope John winning the season's first encounter against Sparta in front of a capacity crowd. "This is not only an inter-conference team, but it is the only parochial conference team in our division," Sparta basketball coach Brian Brennen.  "There is a public-parochial debate in New Jersey and it gives you a chance to through your weight against a parochial program.  And they are good team.  That is what excites the Sparta kids when they play Pope John.  We are generally one and two in the conference and it always has bearing on who is going …

Tammy

9:53 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Hi Willa- It would seem that since combining the Hopatcong Patch with the Sparta Patch the Hopatcong part has fallen to the wayside. There is a murder trial involving two people from Hopatcong with very little coverage and what is covered is pulled from another source. I have become increasingly disheartened with this "publication" and it's commitment to Hopatcong.   more ›

Late Surge Not Enough for Sparta Against Rivals

Pope John wins season's first meeting against crosstown foes in front of capacity crowd.

In a rivalry that goes back about 50 years, Sparta High School hosted Pope John XXIII Tuesday night for the latest chapter.  The near capacity crowd was treated to an exceptional contest between the two schools separated by only 3.5 miles. For more photos and comments on the rivalry, head here. IN SHORT The game had all the hype it should have: an age old rivalry, an undefeated Sparta team and the NJ.com No. 13 ranked Pope John coming together for their first of two annual contests. And it did not disappoint.  The first quarter was a tight match with neither team taking an advantage, but the second quarter saw Pope John take an advantage on the ten points (two 3's and a pair of baskets) scored by Bryce Aiken.  The third quarter saw Sparta …

Edubb

2:01 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013

Hey Patch....How about a recap of Hopatcong/Lenape rivalry? Basketball, wrestling, etc.   more ›

Monday, January 7, 2013

Female Wrestler Pins Challenges, Opposition for Sparta

Sierra 'Sissy' Blasone a fierce competitor in male-dominated sport, driven to reach lofty goals.

Don't be surprised by her diminutive 4-foot-10 stature, Sierra "Sissy" Blasone is a fierce competitor for the Sparta High School wrestling team. Influenced by her brother, Blasone began wrestling when she was 6 years old. Now the Sparta sophomore wrestles in the 113-pound weight class at the high school level, has helped the Spartans to a 7-1 start to the season and has aspirations of competing in college and even in the Olympics one day.

Edubb

2:01 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013

Any updates on how Hopatcong or Sparta wrestlers did at the tournament???   more ›

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sparta Wrestling Drops Season-Opening Match

Spartans fall to Mount Olive, host Madison on Friday.

The Sparta High School wrestling team opened the 2012-13 season at Mt. Olive Wednesday night.  The Spartans made a strong showing but fell 43-32. "This was a very exciting opening match for us," Spartan coach Frank Battaglia said. "We are set to come out and really make a difference this year.  We are a relatively young team with more experience and I keep telling the kids we have to start to prove that and turn the corner and bring Sparta back into a competitive mode.  I think we accomplished that tonight." "We were tough through the line up," Battaglia said.  "We had wrestler get sick and a JV wrestler (Mateo Zapata) stepped up, a first year wrestler, and he gave it his all. He's wrestled for three weeks and he comes in and gives it his …

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Last-Second Field Goal Boots Sparta in State Final

After leading by 19 points at halftime, Spartans fall on 48-yard kick with less than 10 seconds left.

The Sparta High School football team was unable to hold onto a 19-point halftime lead, falling to Ramapo on a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds of a 37-34 loss in the North Jersey Section 1, Group 3 championship Saturday at Kean University. Sparta held a 26-7 halftime advantage, but Ramapo roared back in the second half and tied the score at 34 with 2:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. Ramapo's ensuing kickoff pinned the Spartans deep in their own territory and a midfield interception gave the Franklin Lakes school the ball back just moments later. With six seconds remaining, senior David Bonagura kicked the game-winning 48-yard field goal to propel Ramapo to its second sectional title in four years. "It was all the same plays in …

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sparta Football: Cheer on the Spartans

Team is headed to the state final this weekend. Share your favorite photos of the Spartans in action this season.

The Sparta High School varsity football team is headed to the state final championships on Saturday to face the No. 2-seeded Ramapo team. The game will kick off at Kean University at 4 p.m. as the Spartans, ranked No. 5, compete against Ramapo High School, ranked No. 2, in the North 1 Group 3 State Finals. The Spartans, now 9-1, defeated River Dell High School Friday in semifinals. Hopatcong-Sparta Patch will be sharing stories about the players and team later this week, but in the meantime, why not cheer your local team on? Share photos of the Spartans in action this season by clicking "Upload Photos and Videos" or leave a comment for the team below.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Damaged Sparta High School Press Box to be Repaired

BOE hires engineer/architect to assess damage from Sandy.

Nearly a month after Hurricane Sandy damaged the Sparta High School press box, the board of education is looking for ways to start repairs. The Sparta Township Board of Education approved at Monday night's meeting to hire an engineer/architect to assess the damage the structure sustained from the storm.  District Superintendent Dennis Tobin said the Cassels Field press box was the only structure in the district that had damage from the storm, after it was completely knocked over onto West Mountain Road. The board agreed to hire Gianforcaro Engineers and Architects for $8,500 to look at the damage and come up with ways to rebuild the structure. Tobin said the architect/engineer will give an estimate to the board for how much it will take to…

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