Monitor Mag Oct 2023 Highschool Showcase

CATHOLIC High School SHOWCASE

Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Trenton have much to offer students of all abilities and interests, all while providing a Christ-centered environment and instruction in the Catholic faith. Along with cutting-edge academics, technological tools and competitive athletic teams, these schools are also committed to nurturing students’ spirit and faith.

Following are profiles of Catholic high schools in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL

607 7th Avenue, Belmar

www.srhsnj.com

OPEN HOUSE: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6– 8 p.m. Register at srhsnj.com/admissions/open-house

CONTACT: Admissions office: Jen Tallarico 732-681-2858 x: 709 | admissions@srhsnj.com

generous support of alumni and friends, St. Rose High School has been able to greatly enhance our academic offerings.

Combined with an innovative drop schedule, we have opened a performing arts studio, a Business Academy, a “Maker Space” STREAM Room, a robotics program and broadcasting studio. All of these additions augment our already expansive curriculum. Athletics and an array of extracurricular activities play an integral part in our educational program. Athletes apply their training to real-life situations, giving full effort in everything they do. Our athletic program includes more than 25 varsity sports, many junior varsity and freshman programs.

Our goal at St. Rose High School is to meet the needs of all our students and to provide the most rewarding Catholic experience possible.

ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL

Proud of our Past, Prepared for our Future 540A Line Road, Holmdel

www.SJVHS.org

St. Rose High School is a vibrant, co-ed shore community whose faculty and families are committed to providing our students with a faith-based, quality Catholic education. Our rigorous curriculum includes college prep, honors and advanced placement classes. With the

OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 21, 9 a.m. and Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Register at sjvhs.org/openhouse

CONTACT: Patti Gilmartin, 732-739-0800 x 155 | gilmartin@ sjvhs.org

CATHOLIC High School SHOWCASE

CONTACT: Kristen Amnott, 732-747-5113 | kamnott@ redbankcatholic.com

Situated on 38 acres in Holmdel, New Jersey, St. John Vianney High School provides a Catholic education that nurtures the soul of each student while providing an authentic college prep experience. SJV’s vibrant community offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities, including first-rate athletics. As a Catholic school, we go beyond just academics and activities. SJV educates the whole person – mind, body, and spirit.

SJV promotes an educational environment that supports the growth of each of our students. We provide an advanced curriculum with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1. A 4x4 block schedule format allows students to accelerate their learning to an advanced level and remediate weaknesses in any curricular area. We offer many levels in all subjects ranging from college preparatory, Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment.

We also offer qualified students the Early College Academy and Business Academy. The Early College Academy allows our students to graduate with 64 college credits and an Associate Degree in Computer Science or Social Science. The Business Academy combines college courses from the University of Delaware, Georgian Court University and Brookdale Community College with real-life experiences through speakers, field trips, and both on and off-campus business initiatives. Our campus is technologically advanced to provide for seamless learning and all students receive tablet computers equipped with the latest educational software. SJV also has athletic fields, a lighted turf athletic stadium, a 12,000 square foot fitness center, and a state-of-the-art performance theater – facilities that help support our 35+ student clubs and 30 sports programs.

RED BANK CATHOLIC

Join the Tradition

112 Broad Street, Red Bank

redbankcatholic.org

OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 15, 2 – 4:30 p.m. Registration required – visit redbankcatholic.org

Red Bank Catholic is a vibrant, beloved, Catholic co-educational institution with a deep tradition, an extraordinary spirit and a record of achievement in the classroom, on the athletic fields, onstage and beyond.

RBC was founded in 1927 in the heart of the city of Red Bank. With 166 courses offered, including 20 advanced placement, 26 honors, 24 dual-enrollment college-level courses and Capstone project opportunities, each student’s schedule is tailored around their individual strengths and interests, and 100 percent of our graduating senior class continues on to higher education post-graduation.

The vast array of extracurricular opportunities offered at RBC includes our 28 competitive varsity sports, our award-winning performing arts programs, over 60 clubs and activities, and our semester-long internship program, which 30 students participated in during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Red Bank Catholic’s students come from over 50 towns and 70 schools. They are young men and women of competence, compassion, commitment and curiosity, and together with over 15,000 alumni, they make up the “Casey Family.”

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Dynamic, diverse Catholic community, rooted in the Mercy Core Values: Respect, Integrity, Justice, Compassion and Service. Co-ed / college preparatory 601 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville

www.ndnj.org

OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 26, 7 – 9 p.m.

CONTACT: Laura Sarubbi, 609-882-7901 | admissions@ ndnj.org

CATHOLIC High School SHOWCASE

a positive and empowering environment, preparing them with a foundation of values for life rooted in our Mercy Core Values of Justice, Compassion, Service, Respect and Integrity. Notre Dame is a place of growth – intellectual, personal, social and spiritual – and a school always growing in excellence.

DONOVAN CATHOLIC

The high school community of Donovan Catholic educates its students to live their faith, respect and serve others in a global society, and pursue academic excellence in a college preparatory environment.

711 Hooper Avenue, Toms River

Notre Dame High School offers a powerfully well-rounded college preparatory experience strongly grounded in Catholic values. This experience combines equally outstanding programs in academics, athletics, the arts, service learning and student leadership. We serve students from a range of backgrounds and with a diversity of strengths, providing every learner with the right level of academic challenge. We welcome each one into

donovancatholic.org

OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 15, 2 - 4 p.m. and Oct. 16, 6 - 8 p.m.

Apply Today at - www.donovancatholic.org

CONTACT:  732- 349-8801| Grade 9 Admissions Coordinator- Lori Jensen, ext- 2429 | Transfer Student & International Student Admissions Coordinator- Donna Dicosta, ext-2426

Since our founding in 1962, Donovan Catholic Catholic High School (DCHS) has been a leading choice for motivated students seeking a Catholic education with an individualized educational experience.  As the only co-educational Catholic high school in Ocean County, DCHS is uniquely positioned to offer a safe student-centered learning environment in the Catholic tradition of excellence in education.  Donovan Catholic educates its students to pursue academic excellence by choosing a course from our comprehensive course offering guide

that offers courses beyond our core college prep and honors classes, including Advanced Placement courses, Dual Enrollment College credit, and prestigious enriching electives. The class of 2023 was awarded a total of $41,845,300.00 in college scholarships.  Our Catholic identity mirrors the teachings of Pope Francis: the principles of forgiveness, love, and service to others will support the school’s commitment to enriching the faith of the entire Donovan Catholic community. Students must complete service hours and volunteer their time in our local community. The high school community of Donovan Catholic educates its students to live their faith, center their lives, and make decisions based on Christian principles and Gospel values by being an ambassador for Christ.

VILLA VICTORIA ACADEMY

CATHOLIC High School SHOWCASE

Villa Victoria Academy, established in 1933, is one of the oldest, all-girls Catholic schools in New Jersey. The high school provides girls with small, college-prep classes with individualized attention. The mission of Villa is to respect the inherent dignity of each individual, to educate the whole person, instill character and confidence, and to empower young women to reach their full potential and influence the world in a truly Christian manner.

Villa is owned and operated by the Religious Teachers Filippini and draws students from both New Jersey and Pennsylvania to its 44-acre campus. Faculty and staff include lay men and women and our religious sisters. Villa operates a traditional schedule of eight classes per day for 40 minutes each. Recent updates include a TV studio, a state-of-the-art dance studio, and a strength, training and conditioning room.

OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 25, tours from 5-6 pm, 6-7 pm light supper and chat with current parents. Pre-Registration required at villavictoria.org/admissions/open-house/

CONTACT: Colleen White, 609-882-1700 ext. 419 | cwhite@ villavictoria.org

Financial aid is available to all students, and scholarships are available to those entering ninth grade. The High School Placement Test for potential applicants will be held Oct. 28 and Nov. 11. ($40) In addition, VVA will be offering an HSPT Test Prep Class for any boy or girl in

8th grade. Cost is $80 for five classes and the first class is Oct. 12 from 5-6:30 pm. Contact the Admissions office to register for either or both.

TRENTON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY ACADEMY

Home of the Iron Mikes

175 Leonard Avenue, Hamilton  www.trentoncatholicprep.org

OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. To learn more visit trentoncatholicprep.org/admissions

CONTACT: 609-586-3705 x 119 | rrogers@trentoncatholicprep.org

Co-ed Pre-K through grade 12 school that educates a diverse student body to be responsible citizens of a global society through a challenging, relevant, and innovative curriculum centered in Catholic traditions and values.

Located on a beautiful, quiet 64-acre campus in suburban Hamilton, NJ, Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, I nc. is a PreK-12 school with a demanding preparatory curriculum. TCPA prepares a universal population to succeed now, in college and beyond. The Upper and Lower Schools are located in separate wings connected by a corridor. Students share a chapel, gymnasium and cafeteria.

Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy leads the way with outstanding academics, first-rate Robotics and STEM education, Project Lead The Way programs, High School Esports League and FIRST Lego League, while providing a safe and inclusive environment that embraces service, diversity, and acceptance for all.

Our highly competitive athletic teams play in topnotch facilities; the gymnasium, baseball, track, and soccer fields have received extensive renovations over the last five years.

The Upper School is anticipating a 100% graduation rate and projecting over $4 million in college scholarships and grants to be given to our students.

STUART COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART

A Sacred Heart independent Catholic girls’ school for grades K-12 with a co-ed preschool and junior kindergarten program for ages 3 and 4.

1200 Stuart Road, Princeton

CATHOLIC High School SHOWCASE

www.stuartschool.org

OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 14, 2 p.m. and Nov.11, 1 PM. Register at stuartschool.org/openhouse

CONTACT: 609-921-6118, hnastro@stuartschool.org.

Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart is a leading preschool to Grade 12 private school in Princeton designed just for girls. Stuart’s mission is to educate young women to a life of leadership and service within

the framework of the goals and criteria of the Schools of Sacred Heart.

With a highly personalized and rigorous curriculum, exceptional faculty who know girls well, and the space given to grow in their faith, Stuart girls graduate as compassionate and empowered global citizens who are driven to be forces of change in our world.

HOLY CROSS PREPARATORY ACADEMY

The only independent co-ed Catholic preparatory school in Burlington County 5035 Route 130 S., Delran

www.hcprep.org

OPEN HOUSE: Tuesday, Oct. 24. Pre-registration: https:// hcp-nj.client.renweb.com/oa/?memberid=17509

Please note, registration is not required

CONTACT: Darian D’Alfonso, Director of Admissions

Email: ddalfonso@hcprep.org or admissions@hcprep.org

Holy Cross Preparatory Academy offers a collegiate-style block schedule of single-semester courses, ensuring

Thursday November 2 6:30 p.m.

To register:

students feel comfortable when they step into their first college classes. Each student is provided a laptop and access to class material online to enhance the learning process.

Through partnerships with Rowan College of Burlington County, Seton Hall University, and Holy Family University, HCPA offers dual-credit courses totaling up to 60+ college credits. Our Guidance Office utilizes Naviance to help students through the college application process and provides students the opportunity to meet with college admissions counselors during the annual College Fair and regular visits from universities. Our teachers also provide summer sessions on campus to help students complete additional college requirements, such as essays and resumes.

Specialized classes are offered in engineering (STREAM), forensic science, graphic design and accounting. Visual and performing arts allow students to explore their talents in our studio, inside the dark room or on the stage. The proud athletic history at Holy Cross is visible in the numerous sectional and state titles lining the walls of our gymnasium. Lancer Nation ensures that positive values and our shared faith are integrated throughout all activities, with teams and clubs regularly participating in group service projects, Masses or prayer services.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY

An outstanding Catholic day school for boys on the high school level.

850 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft

www.cbalincroftnj.org

OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 1, 12 – 3 p.m.; Oct. 25, 4:30 –6:30 p.m. Pre-registration recommended. cbalincroftnj. org/admissions/welcome

CONTACT: Jennifer Maccarella, 732-747-1959 x 217 | admissions@cbalincroftnj.org

Christian Brothers Academy has built a reputation rooted in excellence, basing our educational philosophy on the Lasallian tradition. We focus on developing every aspect of our students through unique activities both in and out of the classroom. Our faculty is committed to a rigorous academic curriculum, while helping each student reach his full potential.

The principles of faith and service remain ever-present in our community, always giving our students a chance to help those who are less fortunate. Over the past five years, each graduating class has averaged over 100 hours of service per student, which greatly exceeds the 70 hours required for graduation. Meanwhile, our championship-winning athletics and dynamic extracurricular activities allow for our students to foster an unparalleled brotherhood during their time at the Academy.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., designated Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991-2006)

–

an Italian teen who promoted Eucharistic miracles and apparitions of the Blessed Mother via websites he created – as patron of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Trenton.

“To always be close to Jesus: that is my life plan.”

– Blessed Carlo Acutis

Consider visiting a parish hosting the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit by Blessed Carlo: dioceseoftrenton.org/eucharistic-miracles-exhibit

Keynote speaker Paul Sanfrancesco addresses Catholic Athletes for Christ students and coaches on the positive and negative influences of social media. John Batkowski photo

Bishop O’Connell enjoyed meeting students from the various high schools during the Catholic Athletes for Christ Mass and gathering. Here the Bishop poses for a photo with the students from Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank. Staff photo

Catholic Athletes urged to keep faith at forefront while on social media

BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

There are no secrets in social media, and the content you post follows you for years, said Paul Sanfrancesco, keynote speaker at the annual Catholic Athletes for Christ meeting Sept. 26 on the campus of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.

Teens from Catholic high schools throughout the Diocese of Trenton sat spellbound as Sanfrancesco, director of technology for St. Joseph University,

Philadelphia, related tales of athletes on the high school, college and professional levels losing acceptance, scholarships and team membership due to something they shared on social media platforms, even from many years ago.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant and homilist for the accompanying Mass. In his homily, he advised the athletes to “get in the game,” that is, to prioritize their Catholic faith “with the same energy and passion that we take onto the field, or the court, or the track or the pool.”

“We must take our faith with us

there as Catholic Athletes for Christ. When we hear the Word of God and act on it with faith, the most important victory in life will always be ours! So, ‘get in the game,’” he said.

Sanfrancesco told the student athletes their social media posts “should have good character, discipline and common sense. ... If you think your digital footprint doesn’t matter, you’re wrong. As Catholics you have to ask yourself: Are you ready for people to see that account today?”

Looking at the numerous tech savvy

EWING’S VVA TO CELEBRATE 90 YEARS

All are invited to Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing, as the school marks its 90th anniversary Oct. 21. The preparatory academy will commemorate its milestone with a 12 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., held in the school’s theater at 376 West Upper Ferry Rd.

Today VVA educates girls in grades six through 12; students hail from Burlington, Middlesex and Mercer Counties, and Bucks County, Pa.

Founded in 1933, the academy is a Catholic, private, independent, college-preparatory school owned and operated by the Religious Teachers Filippini. St. Lucy Filippini founded this religious order of Sisters in Montefiascone, Italy, at the end of the 17th century. Since that time, the Filippini Sisters have eagerly followed St. Lucy’s instructions to “Go and Teach.”

CBA CELEBRATES NEW FACILITIES WITH ‘DEDICATION DAY’

SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY

Continued from 50

be more like Blessed Carlo Acutis, who has the potential to be the first saint with an email address.

Father Garry Koch, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, joined the Christian Brothers Academy community Sept. 16 during which he blessed the new dining hall. Courtesy photo

Nearly70 years of hard work was commemorated by the community of Christian Brothers Academy on Sept. 16.

The Lincroft school’s ‘Dedication Day’ celebrated final projects completed as part of the Forever CBA capital campaign.

In total, Forever CBA built or renovated eight different sites on the academy’s 157-acre campus. Most notably, Dedication Day was the much-awaited official opening of the Brother Frank Byrne Dining Hall and Dolly Gartland Sullivan Kitchen.

Named in honor of two individuals who always put CBA students first, the Byrne Dining Hall and Dolly’s Kitchen will enhance the student experience in many ways. The Byrne Dining Hall is nearly 40 percent larger than the previous cafeteria space, allowing for more students to eat lunch at the same time. This, in turn, will allow CBA to expand its academic and co-curricular offerings to all grade levels during the school day.

Byrne Dining Hall will also double as a campus hub for specials events, meetings and more. The space features two large televisions, a 100-inch projection screen, a full audio and PA system, and dynamic lighting.

Meanwhile, Dolly’s Kitchen is an advanced food preparation space, which will give academy men a variety of healthy, diverse options to meet their dietary needs.

teens seated before him, the speaker admitted to scouting their social media accounts; even without having their names, he was able to see some profiles based on them tagging their team or high school.

“It was easy for me to find some of you; you look familiar to me,” Sanfrancesco said, eliciting a few nervous looks from the teens to their friends and teammates. Most of their accounts were fine, he said, but others held some troublesome content.

“You are held to a different standard because you are in a Catholic school,” he continued. Referring to the objectionable posts, Sanfrancesco warned, “If I read it, someone else could. Who in your future could find it?”

He encouraged the teens to remove phone apps that seemed to be the greatest temptation for posting negative content, and each month to strive to spend just 1% less time immersed in social media. He also encouraged them to

“As an athlete, you are influencing everyone in your school,” he said. “Are you encouraging? Remember the four Fs when you post on social media: faith, your family, friends and your future.”

Students and coaches in the Catholic Athletes for Christ professed their appreciation for the program as well as Sanfrancesco’s advice.

Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, senior A.J. Surace, a member of the football team, said his time in the CAC program helped him be involved with athletes in similar situations. “It was good to learn about what is right and what is negative on social media,” he said.

“Technology is usually brought up in a negative way, but [the speaker] emphasized what a positive effect it can have,” said Susanna Sloh, a Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy senior who plays tennis and cheerleads. “Just keep God close to you throughout all you do, even your social media presence.”

Students had a chance to engage in small group discussions during the Catholic Athletes for Christ gathering. John Batkowski photo