Marine Academy of Science and Technology

Last updated

Marine Academy of Science and Technology
Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Sandy Hook, NJ 07732.jpg
Address
Marine Academy of Science and Technology
305 MAST Way

, ,
07732

United States
Coordinates 40°27′36″N74°00′02″W / 40.45995°N 74.00055°W / 40.45995; -74.00055
Information
Type Magnet public high school
Established1981
School district Monmouth County Vocational School District
NCES School ID341750005989 [1]
PrincipalEarl Moore [2]
Faculty27.0 FTEs [1]
Grades 9-12
Enrollment266 (as of 2022–23) [1]
Student to teacher ratio9.9:1 [1]
Color(s)   Blue and gold
Accreditation Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools [3]
Affiliation Sea-grant
Website mast.ctemc.org

The Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) is a coeducational four-year magnet public high school located in the Sandy Hook section of Middletown Township, in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade. The school offers learning in all subjects, specializing in marine science and technology. It is one of five career academies administered by the Monmouth County Vocational School District (MCVSD). MAST requires each student to participate in the Naval Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC) every year as well as an Annual Military Inspection (AMI) in the spring or fall. The school's curriculum focuses on marine sciences and marine technology/engineering. The school offers small classes with close personal attention.

Contents

As of the 2022–23 school year, the school had an enrollment of 266 students and 27.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.9:1. There were 2 students (0.8% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 1 (0.4% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch. [1]

The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. [3] The Marine Academy is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology. For the 1997–98 and 2013 school years, the Marine Academy was designated a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. [4] [5] MAST was selected by the Department of Education as a New American High School for the 1998–99 school year; [6] among the many honors and awards the innovative program has received throughout its years. On April 15, 2007, in honor of the Marine Academy's 25th Anniversary, a proclamation by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders declared April 15 as "Marine Academy of Science and Technology Day" in Monmouth County.

History

Marine Academy was founded in 1981 as a part-time program which served an inaugural class of 53 students who attended their home high school in the mornings and took 212 hours of classes at MAST in the afternoon. [7] The school has since become a full-time diploma-granting program.

Location and campus

MAST campus is located in the Fort Hancock Historic Area, as part of the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. The school is adjacent to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in the country, and is within walking distance of several beaches. The campus includes 13 newly renovated buildings and various laboratories devoted to marine biology, marine chemistry, oceanography, C.A.D., and multi-media. The buildings were previously mess halls and latrines for the "Tent City" that was set up at Fort Hancock for a time during World War II. A Technology Workshop, a Media Center containing a Computer Classroom, a Naval Science Building, a state of the art wet lab in the James J. Howard Marine Science laboratory, and other classrooms round out the facilities. There is also hands-on instruction on the school research vessel, the R/V Blue Sea for underclassmen and some seniors. The "R/V Blue Sea" is currently berthed at the Coast Guard Station on Sandy Hook. This vessel is extensively used throughout many core classes in the curriculum including marine biology, marine chemistry, marine physics, and oceanography. [8]

In the wake of significant damage to the Sandy Hook campus following Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, the MAST campus was temporarily relocated to St. Joseph's School in Keyport, in addition to the use of lab space at Brookdale Community College. [9] As of September 9, 2013, MAST relocated back to its Sandy Hook campus.

NJROTC

All students at the Marine Academy participate in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC). The unit is designated as an Area 2 school and participates in many inter-unit competitions, the most prominent of which is the Drill Team. Cadets can participate in several disciplines including Freshmen, Color Guard, Armed Platoon, Unarmed Platoon, Unarmed Exhibition, and Armed Exhibition. In the past, MAST has been successful at several area competitions, including Neptune, Linden, and Areas. Exceptional performance in the Area 4 Drill Competition (placing first in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012) has qualified the school for national competition in Pensacola, Florida for those years. In 2016,the MAST Drill Team attended Navy Nationals once again in Pensacola, Florida, their first time back since 2012.

Each year, cadets take a physical fitness test (PFT). The standards for this exam are based upon Navy guidelines. Grades range from "unsatisfactory" to "outstanding", and the result forms a part of the Naval Science grade for credit. Satisfactory PFT performance is a criterion for advancement and promotion.

At the end of each year, qualified cadets are promoted to a rank and billet commensurate with academic performance, ability, and PFT results. The MAST unit is organized into a battalion with four companies and a headquarters section. The highest rank a cadet can achieve is Cadet Commander.

Awards

In its listing of "America's Best High Schools 2016", the school was ranked 181st out of 500 best high schools in the country; it was ranked 28th among all high schools in New Jersey. [19]

Other career academies

There are four other career academies / sister schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District. The other schools (with 2022–23 enrollment data [20] ) are: [21] [22] [23]

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References

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  8. A Brief look at M.A.S.T, accessed May 12, 2006.
  9. Rundquist, Jeanette. "Hurricane Sandy aftermath: Some N.J. schools reopen with no heat, no lunch", The Star-Ledger , November 6, 2012. Accessed November 14, 2012. "On Sandy Hook, officials from the Monmouth County Vocational School District yesterday got their first look at damage to the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, known as MAST.... But plans are to send the 280 high school students to class next Tuesday in the former St. Joseph's School in Keyport, and borrow science labs at the Brookdale Community College in Hazlet."
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  11. New Jersey Star Schools Program Winners
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