Our Lady of Hope Regional School is a private Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) through eighth grade. Located in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey, it operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden and was established in 2008 as a result of merging the former Saint Agnes School and Saint Jude Regional School in Blackwood. It is supported by several local parishes (Our Lady of Hope Parish at St. Agnes Church, St. Charles Borromeo, Holy Family, and Saints Peter and Paul) [3] and emphasizes Catholic faith, service, and community in its mission. The curriculum follows diocesan guidelines and New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards[4].
As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 335 students (plus 45 in PreK) and 22.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.6:1.[1]
Starting the day
Students at Our Lady of Hope Regional School begin their day in the cafeteria. Those who arrive early line up and wait until 7:30 a.m., when the official school day starts. At this time, students go to their classrooms to get ready for the morning activities.
Around 8:00 a.m., the school holds a morning meeting. During this gathering, selected seventh-grade students speak about the day's events and any school news. The meeting also includes a reading from the Bible; for example, on September 22, 2025, the reading was from Genesis 1:3–8.
At Our Lady of Hope Regional School, the school day begins with a series of prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance. Students gather to pray for religious and national leaders, the safety of military personnel, peace in the world, vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the protection of children, essential employees, and all special intentions held in students' hearts. Birthdays of students celebrated that month are also acknowledged.
The Let Us Pray section is as follows:
For President [the current president of the United States of America];
For Pope [the current pope]; For the safety of those serving in the military; For peace throughout the world; We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life; The protection of all children; For all of our benefactors; Let us remember all of our families and friends and especially those who have asked for our prayers: For all our special intentions that we hold silent in our hearts.
The Classroom Mission Prayer is recited by all students:
Our Lady of Hope Regional School provides an environment where each child can achieve his or her potential. We all work together daily to understand and follow the Gospel message of Jesus. We are empowered to take an active role in our school, our parish, and our community. Lord, help us today to be a good friend and the best that we can be. Our Lady of Hope, teach us to be kind and to include others. Help us to do our work, and let others learn. May we love and lead like Jesus. Amen.
—Recited by students of Our Lady of Hope Regional School, Classroom Mission Prayer
Following the prayer, students participate in the Pledge of Allegiance in the gymnasium before returning to their classrooms to begin lessons.
Following the prayer, students recite the Pledge of Allegiance:
I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. God Bless America.
Our Lady of Hope Regional School opened for the 2008–09 school year, following the consolidation of St. Agnes School and St. Jude Regional School in Blackwood. This merger was part of a broader diocesan reorganization: [6] the two Blackwood parishes themselves united in 2010 to form Our Lady of Hope Parish. [7] The new school combined the resources and traditions of its predecessors, aiming to serve the Catholic families of Gloucester Township and neighboring areas. Sister Paula Randow, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, had been principal of St. Jude’s School and continued as founding principal of the merged school for many years (she retired in 2018). [8]
In March 2019, a fire broke out at the school.[9][10] The fire occurred shortly before 8 a.m., when classes had been canceled due to a snowstorm [11], and no students were present. Smoke was reported coming from the roof, and firefighters brought the blaze under control within approximately 45 minutes. The fire caused significant damage to classrooms in the "specials wing", used for art, library, science, and computer lab instruction. The Gloucester Township Fire Marshal suspected an electrical short in the attic as the cause. The affected areas were temporarily closed while repairs were made, and classes resumed once restoration was completed. In recent years, the school has expanded its early childhood offerings: in 2023 it received a $12,000 diocesan grant that funded the addition of a third Pre-K4 classroom, raising its pre-school capacity and contributing to a surge in enrollment.
Academics
Our Lady of Hope delivers a diverse elementary and middle school curriculum with a strong Catholic focus. Core subjects include language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and religion, following diocesan guidelines and New Jersey State Core Standards. The school emphasizes balanced intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social development. The pre-kindergarten program (Pre-K3 and Pre-K4) focuses on early math, literacy, and motor skills through music, art, and play. Full-day kindergarten is offered, followed by grades 1–8. All students participate in religion classes and campus ministries, reinforcing the Catholic mission. Visual arts, music, and physical education are included at all grade levels. Students routinely exceed diocesan average scores on standardized tests.[12]
Student life and extracurricular activities
Students at Our Lady of Hope engage in a variety of clubs, athletics, and faith-based activities. Religious observances include school-wide Masses on feast days and participation in Catholic Schools Week. Clubs include Student Council, Yearbook Committee, and Student Ambassadors. Annual special events include a father–daughter dance, May Crowning of Mary, Field Day, and Spirit of Hope Day.
Athletics
The school fields athletic teams called the Lions, competing in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and local leagues. Sports include baseball (boys), basketball (boys and girls), cheerleading, cross country, soccer, softball (girls), track & field, and volleyball. There is no physical mascot costume; the lion is a symbolic representation only.
In 2023, a diocesan grant expanded the Pre-K4 program, adding a third classroom and increasing capacity from 20 to 30 students. The incoming kindergarten class for 2023–24 was the largest in school history (46 pupils). The grant also supported a faculty retreat.
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