History of Oakcrest

Oakcrest began in 1957 with the organization of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District. At that time, voters of four townships Hamilton, Mullica, Egg Harbor and Galloway, along with Egg Harbor City, approved the regional formation. The total sending area comprised 337 square miles, at that time, the largest school district in the state. The total district population in the late 1950's was approximately 25,000. The 106 acre Hamilton Township site chosen for the new high school was purchased for one dollar. The school would be easily accessible from Cologne Avenue, Vienna Avenue, U.S. Rt. 40, and U.S. Rt. 322.

OAKCREST'S building would be situated upon the crest of a hill in an area surrounded by oak trees, so "OAKCREST" was chosen as the name. The school mascot was a Falcon, the school colors, blue and gray, and the emblems in the panels of the school ring were an Indian head and five holly leaves symbolizing the five sending districts.

During the early 1960's, an unexpected increase in students sparked plans for an addition to the building. In 1964, ground breaking ceremonies took place. Now, the new structure could accommodate 1800 students. The addition would also provide ten rooms for arts and crafts, industrial arts, and vocational work, as well as five rooms for guidance counseling and five new rooms for medical attention. In addition, there was a new sports field and enlarged administrative facilities.

Hamilton Township, home of Oakcrest High School, also includes the town of Mays Landing, our county seat. Adjacent to the Oakcrest campus is the Atlantic Community College. We have shared sports facilities as well as educational opportunities from time to time. Furthermore, Richard Stockton College, located in Galloway Township, within the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District, enables Oakcrest and Absegami students to take advantage of its many facilities and to participate in its cultural events. Students may also take advantage of vocational programs at the Atlantic County Vocational Technical School, located just a few minutes from Oakcrest's campus, on U.S. Route 40.