Linking Employers with
Entry-Level Job Applicants

What is School Counts?

It is a program of the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. The Atlantic County program was initiated by the Atlantic County Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Atlantic County Government, the Atlantic City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic Cape Community College, and the Atlantic-Cape May Workforce Investment Board.

The Cape May County program was initiated by the Chambers of Commerce of Greater Wildwood, Cape May County, Greater Ocean City, and Greater Cape May; the County of Cape May; Atlantic Cape Community College, and the Atlantic-Cape May Workforce Investment Board.

School Counts! Is a voluntary high school program in which students have the opportunity to earn a School Counts Certificate annually; this Certificate can be presented to employers when applying for an entry-level job.

The Certificate verifies that students have:

Obtained a grade of ‘C’ or better in every course
Achieved a 95% attendance and punctuality record
Completed high school in eight consecutive semesters
Taken more than the minimum graduation requirements

How does it work?

Students register with their high school counselors for the School Counts Program.
Counselors issue the Certificate on an annual basis to students who meet the standards.
Students present the Certificate to a participating School Counts employer.
Employers use the Certificate in their evaluation and assessment of the potential employee’s workforce readiness skills and behavior.

School Counts Participating High Schools:

Atlantic County Schools

Atlantic County Special Services
Mainland Regional High School
Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District
- Oakcrest High School
- Absegami High School
Pleasantville High School

Cape May County Schools

Lower Cape May High School
Ocean City High School
Cape May County Technical High School

Employers: Why register to Participate?

Free to Employers who want reliable applicants who are workforce ready
Provides you with a screening tool when hiring entry-level employees
Good corporate citizen; Eligible for School Counts Employer of the Year
Public recognition as School Counts Employer: Your business will be listed on the NAB Honor Roll and on the NJ Chamber of Commerce’s School Counts web site (www.schoolcounts.org) with a link to your home page.
School Counts job-seekers have web access to participating School Counts employers through the NJ Chamber of Commerce’s School Counts web site (www.schoolcounts.org) School Counts website, thus potentially increasing your pool of qualified participants.

High School Students: Why Register?

Performance in school is one factor that can help predict how well you will do in a job and in college. Employers and college administrators also care about attendance and punctuality!

The School Counts Certificate helps to prove to employers and college administrators that you are a hard-working student who has met the standards necessary to earn the Certificate.

Scholarship Funds for School Counts Certificate Holders:

South Jersey Industries has established a Foundation that will collect funds for college scholarships to ACCC for Cape May County & Atlantic County students who have earned the School Counts Certificate.

The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce has established a scholarship for Cape May County High School “School Counts” Certificate holders who are applying to ACCC. Details and Criteria are available through the Chamber of Commerce.

Atlantic Cape Community College has established the following proposal for School Counts Certificate holders.

Atlantic Cape Community College Admissions Office

School Counts Proposal

ACCC offers the following in support of the School Counts program in
Atlantic and Cape May County.

Waive the $35 application fee to the college
School Counts applicants will be strong candidates for the ACCESS scholarship funds through the ACCC Foundation and the ACCC Leadership program with training provided by the college’s Counseling & Support Services department.
A specific counselor/advisor will be assigned to School Counts applicants.
The Student Development Department will host a special orientation session for School Counts applicants and their families.
School Counts applicants will be assigned a mentor at ACCC
School Counts applicants will be eligible for early advisement and registration
for classes.

For more information and/or to register for the program

Parents and Students:

Please contact your high school guidance counselor.

Employers and Schools:

Employer Registration Form

Contact

Jeffrey Wenzel
Atlantic Cape Community College
Mays Landing East - Building T
5100 Blackhorse Pike
Mays Landing, NJ 08330-2699
jwenzel@atlantic.edu

(609) 343-5658 - Fax: (609) 343-5661

Visit the School Counts website at www.schoolcounts.org for more program information.

Continuing Education

Linking Employers with Entry-Level Job Applicants