When it comes to secondary education, Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Trenton are poised to compete. Accompanying their faithfulness to proclaiming the Gospel, these schools offer state-of-the art technological spaces and advanced academics, courses linked to local colleges for higher ed credits, top-ranking athletic and performing arts programs, community service opportunities and character-building leadership extracurriculars – all in environments that place Christ at the center of achievement and purpose.
Following are profiles of Catholic high schools in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Donovan Catholic High School
It makes a difference.
711 Hooper Ave., Toms River
www.DonovanCatholic.org
Students: 512 | Tuition: $15,375
Contact: 732-349-8801 admissions ext. 2426
Rose O’Connor photo
Donovan Catholic is a dynamic college preparatory high school offering students an exceptional academic and co-curricular experience rooted in faith, leadership, and academic excellence. Our commitment to preparing students for college and life beyond is evident in every aspect of our school community.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to academic excellence, guided by our comprehensive Program of Studies. Our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire, offering: 13 Advanced Placement (AP) courses; dual enrollment courses through partnerships with Ocean County College, University of Delaware and Georgian Court University, and a flexible, semester-based schedule with four courses per term, mirroring a collegiate learning environment.
Innovative programs include the state-of-the-art Bloomberg Lab; a nationally recognized robotics team; an award-winning Performing Arts Department; more than 35 student-led clubs, a deeply rooted Campus Ministry, and a wide range of championship- winning athletic teams. Donovan Catholic fosters a rich and inclusive student life Experience.
Donovan Catholic is a parish high school in the Diocese of Trenton, accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED), an internationally recognized educational accrediting organization. We proudly welcome students of every race, religion, nationality, and ethnic background.
Notre Dame High School
601 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville
www.ndnj.org
Enrollment: 868 students | Class of 2026 tuition: $20,850
Contact: admissions@ndnj.org, 609-882-7900
Open House: Oct. 23 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Courtesy photo
Founded in 1957, Notre Dame High School is a Catholic, coeducational, college-preparatory school located in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. The curriculum emphasizes rigorous academics, offering 20 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and 40 honors-level classes that promote critical thinking and lifelong learning through active engagement.
Grounded in the Mercy Core Values of Service, Compassion, Justice, Integrity, and Respect, the school fosters an environment of mutual respect and diversity. We guide students in making ethical, responsible choices and encourage active participation in community service and co-curricular activities to develop leadership and personal responsibility.
The Class of 2025 demonstrated strong college readiness, with 99% of graduates attending a post-secondary institution. The average SAT score was 1142, and the average ACT score was 25.8. Notre Dame High School is committed to preparing students with the academic foundation, ethical values, and personal responsibility necessary for success in higher education and beyond.
Red Bank Catholic High School
Join the Tradition
112 Broad St., Red Bank
www.redbankcatholic.org
Students: 710 | Tuition: $17,052
Contact: 732-747-1774; admissions@redbankcatholic.org
Open House: Oct. 19, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
John Batkowski photo
Red Bank Catholic High School is a premier college-preparatory school located in the heart of Red Bank, NJ. Founded in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, RBC provides students with a faith-based education that emphasizes academic excellence, leadership, and service. With a vibrant campus community, outstanding arts and athletic programs, and a strong record of college acceptances and scholarships, Red Bank Catholic inspires students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially while preparing them to succeed beyond the classroom.
Our 710 students are eligible for slots on 28 varsity sports team rosters, membership in over 37 clubs and activities, and participation in more than 20 service organizations. Academically, students are offered 144 courses, including 16 AP courses and 27 honors-level courses. The student/teacher ratio is 10:1. Last year, graduates earned a total of $38.4 million in merit scholarships.
Red Bank Catholic has an established Dual Enrollment Program of 25 courses with Seton Hall University, Rider University, Stockton University and the University of Delaware. The program allows qualified sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college level credit for certain Advanced Placement and/or Honors level courses taught at RBC. The certified courses are taught by our faculty members who have been approved by the universities as adjunct professors.
St. John Vianney High School
540A Line Road, Holmdel
Website: www.sjvhs.com
Students: 875 | Tuition: $16,225
Contact: 732-739-0800
Open House: Oct. 11 at 9 a.m., Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
Courtesy photo
Saint John Vianney High School is a Catholic community igniting intellectual growth, serving those in need, exploring passions, and inspiring a commitment to know God.
SJV offers a unique opportunity for students to receive a first-rate education in a faith-based environment. Through its rigorous curriculum, comprehensive extracurricular programs, and supportive community; students are well-prepared for success in college and beyond. Dedicated faculty and staff work tirelessly to ensure students not only excel academically but also grow into compassionate, responsible, and morally grounded individuals.
At a glance, academics conform to a 4 X 4 Block Schedule with the availability of 16 AP courses, 39 dual enrollment courses, 22 honors courses, virtual courses and a summer accelerated curriculum program. The school has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and 70% of staff members hold advanced degrees.
Standardized test scores, including SATs, rank above state & national averages. Students may qualify for a Christian Service outreach program or the Brookdale Community College Early College Academy. Each student receives their own tablet PC and the campus is equipped with high-speed broadband wireless and interactive conference rooms.
SJVHS has 30 varsity athletic teams, with junior varsity and freshman levels, a full-time certified strength and conditioning coach; more than 35 clubs that meet during the school day, an award-winning Fine and Performing Arts program and a chapter of the Catholic Athletes for Christ.
St. Rose High School
Be Known. Be Valued. Be Challenged. Be More.
607 7th Ave., Belmar
www.srhsnj.com
Tuition: $15,725
Contact: 732-681-2858 admissions@srhsnj.com www.srhsnj.com
Open House: Oct. 9, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Courtesy photo
Discover St. Rose High School – Where Faith Meets Excellence
Located in beautiful Belmar, NJ, St. Rose High School offers a Catholic education rooted in Gospel values, academic excellence, and leadership development. Since 1923, we’ve prepared students to be disciples of Christ and leaders of tomorrow.
Innovative Learning Centers
Our campus features state-of-the-art centers designed to spark creativity and innovation. These include the C.A.V.E. for animation, video, and entertainment, the S.T.R.E.A.M. Makerspace for science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, and math, a Business & Financial Center, a Performing Arts Center, and an Engineering Center supporting our Project Lead the Way curriculum.
Academic Opportunities
Students benefit from the Rotating Drop Schedule, allowing up to four additional classes. Freshmen participate in Integrated Wellness, which includes CPR/First Aid certification and NJ Driver’s Ed preparation. St. Rose also offers a four-year Aviation STEM program through the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) Foundation, along with dual enrollment courses in partnership with Seton Hall University and Brookdale Community College.
Athletics and Activities
We offer nearly 25 varsity and junior varsity sports, giving both male and female athletes the opportunity to compete, grow, and excel. Students can also participate in a wide variety of clubs and extracurricular activities throughout the day, allowing them to explore interests, build skills, and connect with peers.
At St. Rose, students of all backgrounds thrive–exploring passions, earning college credit, and preparing for the future.
Christian Brothers Academy
An outstanding Catholic day school for boys on the high school level
850 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft
www.cbalincroftnj.org
Students: 880 | Tuition: $21,900
Contact: 732-747-1959; admissions@cbalincroftnj.org
Open House: Oct. 5, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.; Oct. 22, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Courtesy photo
Christian Brothers Academy is an independent, Lasallian, college preparatory school providing a contemporary and balanced Catholic education for young men. A rich and rigorous academic curriculum, programs of spiritual formation, and a broad range of athletic, art, and cultural activities enable students to become intellectually mature and morally responsible leaders for the Church and society. A CBA education has long-term, life-long impact as students engage intellectually, think critically, and nurture valuable relationships throughout their time at CBA and as alumni.
For over 65 years, we have proudly championed boys’ education and academic excellence. Being immersed in the CBA environment, students strive to reach their fullest potential. This transformative experience adds perspective to students’ intellectual engagements and social interactions, encourages critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity, and enhances leadership skills. The school offers over 60 Advanced Placement, honors and accelerated courses, programs of faith and community service, 18 interscholastic varsity sports, and award-winning performing arts.
A CBA graduate is a man of honor and integrity, a man of character and faith, a man of intellect and leadership. They perform more than 70 hours of service per student, per year (21,527 hours completed by the Class of 2025) and last year’s graduating class earned $31.107 in collegiate merit-based scholarships.
Holy Cross Preparatory Academy
The premier Catholic institute for education and leadership in South Jersey and beyond.
5035 Route 130 South, Delran
www.hcprep.org
Students: 302 | Tuition: $12,600
Contact: 856-461-5400
Open House:
Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Courtesy photo
Holy Cross Preparatory Academy opened in 1957. It is an independent Catholic high school using a president-principal model of governance. Our mission is to inspire young men and women to become resilient leaders and lifelong learners through wisdom and holiness; Core values are the sign of the CROSS: compassion, respect, ownership, spirituality and service.
In 2025, President Robert DeMasi and our Board of Trustees launched a strategic plan to create a roadmap that connects our Mission to our Vision. Evidence-based data was utilized to establish objectives and SMART goals within the following eight domains: Mission and Catholic Identity, Governance and Leadership, Admissions and Marketing, Advancement and Alumni Relations, Finance and Business Operations, Academics, Student Life, and Facilities
Subject concentrations in STEM, medical, arts or business offer diversity of student pursuits, and through our Dual-Credit Program, students have the ability to earn college credits for the courses they take at Holy Cross Prep. In conjunction with the College Acceleration Program (CAP) of Rowan College at Burlington County, the Project Acceleration Program of Seton Hall University, and the Visiting Student Program of Holy Family University, our students are able to enroll in a variety of college-level courses. HCPA has a 12:1 student teacher ratio and average class size of 17. Available athletic pursuits include 21 teams with 72% participation.
Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
Girls Are Everything
1200 Stuart Road, Princeton
stuartschool.org
Tuition: $50,120
Contact: admissions@stuartschool.org, 609-921-6118
Open House: Oct. 30; Nov. 13; Dec. 11; 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Stuartschool.org
Founded in 1963, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart is an all-girls, college preparatory, preschool to grade 12 independent Catholic school whose mission is to prepare young women for lives of exceptional leadership and service. The Upper School at Stuart is a dynamic community where young women forge strong connections with their teachers and each other while linking their academic studies to real-world challenges. Stuart graduates step into the world equipped with the knowledge, confidence, global perspective, and passion for justice to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Their forward-thinking curriculum is designed to align with how girls excel in academics and athletics. In our Upper School, they will have endless ways to dive into what excites them and uncover new interests; whether they are passionate about musical theater, robotics, global travel, or social justice, they’ll find hundreds of courses, clubs, sports, and activities that match your interests.
Stuart is committed to empowering young women to recognize their influence, spark change, and make their voices heard – especially in spaces where they’ve been underrepresented. That’s why you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a Leadership Diploma Endorsement through the National Center for Girls’ Leadership in one of four subject areas of STEM, Arts and Humanities, Social Justice, and Business and Entrepreneurship. at Stuart.
Villa Victoria Academy
Catholic private girls school grades six-12
376 West Upper Ferry Road, Ewing
www.villavictoria.org
Students: 90 | Tuition: $18,400
Contact: Colleen White, Dir. of Admissions cwhite@villavictoria.org, 609-882-1700 x 419
Open House: Oct. 9, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
Courtesy photo
Villa Victoria Academy, established in 1933, is a Catholic, private, independent, college-preparatory school owned and operated by the Religious Teachers Filippini. Its mission is to respect the inherent dignity of each individual, to educate the whole person, and to empower young women to reach their full potential and influence the world in a truly Christian manner.
Villa Victoria Academy’s curriculum gives her students the opportunity to explore all their talents and interests. A variety of honors and advanced placement courses are offered in both Science and the Humanities to balance each student’s education. For this reason, graduates of Villa Victoria make confident, informed decisions when pursuing a course of study in college.
The Villa Class of 2024 earned more than $5.5 million in scholarships and grants; since 2012 (114 graduates), the school has graduated seven National Merit Scholarship Commended Students and 29 AP Scholars, seven with honor and 11 with distinction. The student/teacher ratio 8:1, and Villa has 100% college placement and enrollment every year. It has a 900-seat state-of-the-art Performing Arts Theatre and a state-of-the-art 12,000 sq. ft. athletic center. The 44-acre campus also includes a TV studio, art studios, a dance studio, science labs, a private chapel, tennis courts, and other playing fields.