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Lodi High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Lodi, in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as the lone secondary school of the Lodi Public Schools. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, with accreditation expiring in January 2030.

As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 925 students and 64.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.4:1. There were 385 students (41.6% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 137 (14.8% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.

History

Students from East Paterson (since renamed as Elmwood Park) had been sent to Lodi High School under a sending/receiving relationship until 1953 and then were shifted to East Rutherford High School starting in 1954 due to lack of capacity at the Lodi school, staying there until Elmwood Park Memorial High School opened in 1957. High School students from Little Ferry had attended the school until the 1953-54 school year, when the Little Ferry Public Schools shifted its students to Ridgefield Park High School. Students in ninth through twelfth grades from Saddle Brook had attended Lodi High School as part of a sending/receiving relationship until the new Saddle Brook High School opened in September 1958 for grades 7-10, with those in eleventh and twelfth grades continuing in Lodi until their graduation.

The school had also served students from Wallington, New Jersey. After the current Lodi High School was completed for the 1973-74 school year, the former high school building was repurposed as Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

Awards, recognition and rankings

The school was the 278th-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 286th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 240th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed. The magazine ranked the school 219th in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was ranked 199th in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.

Athletics

The Lodi High School Rams participate in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference, which is comprised of small-enrollment schools in Bergen, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties, and was created following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). With 646 students in grades 10–12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Group II for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 486 to 758 students in that grade range. Prior to realignment that took effect in the fall of 2010, Lodi High School was a member of the smaller Bergen-Passaic Scholastic League (BPSL). The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Group II North for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 484 to 683 students.

The 1939 boys' basketball team won the Group III state championship with a 26–20 victory against South River High School in the final game of the playoff tournament.

The football team won the North I Group II state sectional championship in 1992 and 1998 and the North II Group II title in 2005. The 1992 team finished the season with a record of 11-0 after winning the North I Group II sectional title with a 7–6 win against two-time defending-champion Lenape Valley Regional High School in the championship game. The team won the North II Group II state sectional championship in 2005, defeating Chatham High School 21–7 in the tournament final.

The baseball team won the North I Group II sectional championship in 2003.

The girls' volleyball team qualified for the state tournament in both 2006 and 2007, falling in the tournament's first round both years.

Jerry Rinaldi was state wrestling champion (189 lb) in 2003. Keith Dobish was the wrestling state champion (189 lb) in 2006.

Administration

The school's acting principal is Edward Bertolini. His core administrative team includes the vice principal.

Notable alumni

• Dr. Chud (born 1964 as David Calabrese), punk rock drummer and singer, most notably of The Misfits
• Brian Cina, politician who serves in the Vermont House of Representatives
• Joe Cunningham (1931–2021), baseball first baseman and outfielder who played in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators from 1954 to 1966
• Glenn Danzig (born 1955, class of 1973), of the bands The Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig
• Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (born 1964 as Paul Caiafa, class of 1982), younger brother of Jerry Only who replaced Bobby Steele in the Misfits, after Steele was kicked out
• James Guarantano (born 1969), wide receiver for the NFL's San Diego Chargers and the CFL's Baltimore Stallions
• Howie Janotta (1924–2010), professional basketball player who played for the Baltimore Bullets in 9 games during the 1949–50 NBA season
• Jerry Only (born 1959 as Gerald Caiafa, class of 1977) of the band The Misfits
• Rich Skrosky (born 1964), football coach
• Eerie Von (born 1964 as Eric Stellmann), of the bands Samhain and Danzig
• Steve Zing (born 1964 as Steven Grecco), drummers of the bands Mourning Noise, Samhain, and Son of Sam, who plays bass on tour with Danzig and fronts his own band, Marra's Drug.
• Robert Zoellner (1932–2014; class of 1950), investor and stamp collector who was the second person to have assembled a complete collection of United States postage stamps

References

1. ^ School data for Lodi High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.
2. ^ Lodi High School, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 29, 2016.
3. Lodi Middle School- High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed December 20, 2024.
4. "2-Town Parley Plans Shift Of H. S. Pupils; East Paterson Board Tours, Okays School In East Rutherford", Herald News, July 23, 1953. Accessed March 23, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Although formal approval is still pending final tuition negotiations, it seems a sure bet next year's grammar school graduates will enter East Rutherford High School.... The only things standing In the way of final approval are negotiations on the tuition rate East Paterson must pay for its pupils. Starting next year, East Paterson must find new grammar school grads a new high school. Their present sending district, Lodi High School, la overcrowded, and the Lodi school board has notified the local board that it will not be able to accept any more new students after this year."
5. "New East Paterson High Won't Take Outsiders; Board Tells Saddle River Township There Will Be No Room for Out-of-Town Students", Herald News, August 14, 1954. Accessed March 23, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Both Saddle River Township and this borough were advised last year by Lodi, where they have been sending their pupils, to seek some other school. This years East Paterson freshman class will attend East Rutherford High School."
6. "Little Ferry Board Hikes Budget $22,849", The Record, January 13, 1953. Accessed January 4, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "The shift to Ridgefield Park High School and a jump In tuition costs at Lodi High School attended by pupils from Little Ferry will account for a portion of the increase in current expenses. This year's graduation class will attend Ridgefield Park High School next fall and the Board made provision for an Increase of about $100 per pupil In the tuition rate. The Board last night received notice that the tuition rate for Little Ferry pupils who will continue to attend Lodi High School will be Increased $7 and will be $235 for 1953-54. It is estimated that about 150 pupils will be attending Lodi High School next year and 55 will be in Ridgefield Park."
7. "Saddle Brook to Open New H. S.", Herald News, September 12, 1958. Accessed January 5, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "The new Saddle Brook High School on Mayhill Street will open for sessions at 8 o'clock on Wednesday. Enrollment in the building is expected to total 650. Seventh-and eighth grade pupils of Cambridge School will use some of the classrooms, as will the new ninth graders and the 10th graders who are being transferred here from the Lodi High School. The 11th and 12th graders will remain in the Lodi High School until they graduate there."
8. Thomas Jefferson Middle School: Our School, Lodi Public Schools. Accessed January 4, 2024. "TJMS was built in 1933 and initially served as a Junior/Senior High School for the surrounding towns of Saddle River Township (Saddle Brook), East Paterson (Elmwood Park), Little Ferry, Wallington and Lodi. In September of 1973, the new Lodi High School was built and TJMS became a 7th and 8th grade school."
9. Staff. "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014", New Jersey Monthly, September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014.
10. Staff. "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2012. Accessed December 2, 2012.
11. Staff. "2010 Top High Schools", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2010. Accessed March 31, 2011.
12. "Top New Jersey High Schools 2008: By Rank", New Jersey Monthly, September 2008, posted August 7, 2008. Accessed August 19, 2008.
13. Mattura, Greg. "Small-school NJIC may debut its own league championship", The Record, January 9, 2017. Accessed August 30, 2020. "The small-school North Jersey Interscholastic Conference may debut its own boys basketball tournament this season, one season after introducing its girls hoops championship. The NJIC is comprised of schools from Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties and the event offered to the 36 boys teams would serve as an alternative to likely competing against larger programs in a county tournament."
14. Member Schools, North Jersey Interscholastic Conference. Accessed August 30, 2020.
15. League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
16. NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
17. New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association League Memberships – 2009-2010, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 24, 2011. Accessed October 14, 2014.
18. NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2024–2026, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
19. NJSIAA Boys Basketball Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
20. "State Title Taken by West New York; Memorial Defeats Bloomfield Five, 50-33--Lodi, Hoffman and St. Peter's Win", The New York Times, March 19, 1939. Accessed January 20, 2021. "Lodi High School won the Group III crown for the first time in history by gaining a 26-to-20 verdict over South River High School"
21. NJSIAA Football History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed January 1, 2022.
22. "High School Football; Union Rides the Wind To North Jersey Crown", The New York Times, December 6, 1992. Accessed January 15, 2021. "Lodi ended Lenape Valley's two-year reign as North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 champion with a 7-6 victory. Lodi (11-0) scored the winning touchdown in the third quarter when Anthony DeSimone threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Mike Sizow."
23. 2005 Football - North II, Group II, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 28, 2007.
24. 2003 Baseball Tournament - North I, Group II, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed April 25, 2007.
25. 2006 Girls Volleyball - Group II, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 29, 2008.
26. 2007 Girls Volleyball - Group II, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 29, 2008.
27. Ryan, Thomas. "High School State Wrestling Championship Final / Champs And Near-Champs / Absegami's Ryan Bridge And Ryan Goodman Earn State Wrestling Titles In Atlantic City", The Press of Atlantic City, March 17, 2003. Accessed August 14, 2011. "Defending champion Black was upset 6-4 in double overtime by Lodi's Jerry Rinaldi in the 189-pound final."
28. Morris, Tim. "Parisi second at state wrestling championships", News Transcript, March 15, 2006. Accessed August 14, 2011. "Parisi was writing the final chapter in his illustrious record-breaking career, and looking to become Marlboro's first state champion when he went up against Lodi's Keith Dobish in the 189-pound final.... He lost 3-1 to Dobish on a late, first-period takedown."
29. Our School, Lodi High School. Accessed August 18, 2024.
30. David "Dr. Chud" Calabrese, Drummers Zone. Accessed January 20, 2021. "Born as David Calabrese (1964, Lodi, New Jersey) Dr. Chud graduated from Lodi High School with Doyle in 1982."
31. Home Page, DrChud.com, March 12, 2005. Accessed August 23, 2012.
32. "School Notes", The Record, September 29, 1993. Accessed August 18, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "Brian Cina of Lodi High School and Beth Maredkian of Dumont High School were among the high school juniors selected for the University Scholars Program at Rutgers, the State University."
33. Joe Cunningham, Baseball Reference. Accessed March 30, 2021. "High School: Lodi HS (Lodi, NJ)"
34. ^ Ozzi, Dan. "An Excessively Deep Dive into The Misfits' High School Yearbooks", Vice (magazine), May 13, 2016. Accessed April 4, 2017. "Let us start with Jerry Only, class of '77. Born Gerald Caiafa, Jerry was, from what I can glean, the coolest motherfucker that ever stepped foot in Lodi High School or possibly any school in the history of education.... Glenn Danzig, born Glenn Anzalone, graduated from Lodi High School in 1973, though the only appearance he makes in any yearbooks is this lone Senior portrait."
35. Staff. "Conference Lists; Independents", USA Today, February 11, 1988. Accessed January 28, 2011.
36. Howie Janotta, RealGM. Accessed October 21, 2018. "High School: Lodi High School "
37. Offensive Coordinator Rich Skrosky, Monmouth Hawks football. Accessed February 23, 2018. "He served as an assistant coach at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City in 1984 and later served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at his alma mater Lodi (N.J.) High School in 1985 and 1986. Skrosky and his wife, the former Suzanne Quentz, reside in Howell, N.J."
38. Miraglia, Mary K. "Happy Birthday To Lodi's Eerie Von", Garfield-Lodi Daily Voice, August 25, 215. Accessed April 4, 2017. "He began using the nickname Eerie when he was a student at Lodi High School."
39. Miller, Stephen. "Robert Zoellner, Alpine Associates Founder, Dies at 82", Bloomberg News, December 31, 2014. Accessed December 31, 2014. "After graduating from Lodi High School in 1950, he attended Lehigh, where he was co-captain of the ice hockey team and enrolled in Air Force ROTC."

External links

• Lodi High School
• Lodi Public Schools
• School Performance Report for Lodi High School, New Jersey Department of Education
• School Data for the Lodi Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics

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