The school was the 227th-ranked publichigh school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology. The school had been ranked 249th in the state of 328 schools in 2012, after being ranked 234th in 2010 out of 322 schools listed. The magazine ranked the school 186th in 2008 out of 316 schools. The school was ranked 271st in the magazine's September 2006 issue, which surveyed 316 schools across the state.
Athletics
The South River High School Rams participates in the Greater Middlesex Conference, made up of public and private high schools located in the greater Middlesex County area and operated under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. With 454 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2015-16 school year as Central Jersey, Group I for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 12 to 467 students in that grade range. Interscholastic sports offered at South River High School include soccer, football, wrestling, basketball, track and field, cross-country, tennis, bowling, baseball, and softball. The football team won the Central Jersey Group II state championship in 1977-1979, and won the Central Jersey Group I title in 1980, 1983, 1991, 1995, 2000, and 2001. The boys' basketball team won the Group II state championship in 1980, defeating Berkeley Heights High School in the final game of the tournament. The wrestling team won the Central Jersey Group I sectional title in 1988, 1991, 1995-1997 and 2002.
The National Honor Society includes students who have proved their dedication to education with their outstanding grades. Initially, a person is required a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This is only available to grades 10, 11, and 12. They must complete another requirement either by essay or an activity sheet. The National Honor Society emphasizes that "Selection to NHS is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society; instead, they provide information to be used by the local selection committee to support their candidacy for membership." In addition to scholarship, there are three other, equally weighted areas in which potential NHS inductees must excel. These are leadership, service, and character. Academically eligible students who are interested in seeking selection into the NHS are expected to participate in activities, both in and out of school, which will enable them to exhibit these elements. According to the National Honor Society Handbook, "Leadership roles in both the school and community may be considered, provided they can be verified... In considering service, the contributions candidate has made to school, classmates, and community, as well as the student's attitude toward service can be reviewed... the society supports and recommends the use of a multi-faceted definition of character known as the `Six Pillars of Character'... A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship." Each year the Faculty Council reviews the information provided by each candidate, as well as faculty evaluation forms in order to make consistent, equitable selection determinations. An individual interview may be offered in an effort to afford candidates an additional opportunity to provide the Faculty Council with relevant information and clarify any questions that may arise.
Notable alumni
Notable alumni of South River High School include:
