Could an All-Girls High School be Coming to the Area?

Update: This story has been updated since its initial publication. The change further clarifies that the school has not been approved by the Diocese of Trenton and cannot be approved until the feasibility study is presented and approved.

The Monmouth Girl's Academy Feasibility Committee is looking to determine the need of a Catholic all-girls high school in Monmouth County, and according to parent and committee member Melissa Wisk, it's about time.

"I think there's a difference between an all girls education and a co-ed education, especially in high school," Wisk, of Cliffwood Beach, said. "There's a bond you get at an all girl's school that you can't replicate in a co-ed environment."

Wisk attended an all-girl's Catholic high school and college and said she still networks and remains in contact with the women she graduated with.

She plans to send her daughter, who is currently in seventh grade at Mother Teresa Regional School in Atlantic Highlands, to an all-girls Catholic high school. She hopes, however, that instead of having to send her daughter all the way to Mount St. Mary Academy in Watchung, she can keep her local in Monmouth County.

"We talked about it and [my daughter] wants to go to the all-girls high school and she knows if one opens in Monmouth County, she will have a much shorter commute," Wisk said.

Plans for an all-girls Catholic high school, however, are still in the very early stages. For now the committee, composed of parents and community members , is currently "seeking" to start the school, according to their website, and must first measure interest. 

The executives of the committee are two couples, friends for years, with 7 girls between two families and a desire to send their daughters to a one-sex school.

Maread and Sean Clifford, and Victoria and Justin Gmelich, all attended one-sex high schools, and wants to have their girls do the same.

A study is being conducted for families to voice their opinions on the idea of the high school, from Sept. 12 - Sept. 28. 

“The purpose of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an all-girls high school in Monmouth County and the potential impact on existing schools in the area as well as to establish open communication with all interested residents, educators and community leaders,” said Victoria Gmelich, committee co-chair.

The survey is asking participants to report how many girls are in their family, high school enrollment, factors when selecting a high school, and the amount of support for an all-girls high school. The study also includes open ended questions.

Clifford said the committee will have the results from the study in October, and are looking to the future for an opening date of 2014 with just a freshman class. She said the school will plan to add one grade level every year.

According to a news release, the initial enrollment expected is 500-600 students and “will serve a need currently unmet by existing parochial, private and public high schools in Monmouth County.”

According to the Executive Director of Communications for the Diocese of Trenton, Rayanne Bennett, the school would have to receive approval from Bishop David O'Connell before it can fall under the Diocese of Trenton and serve as a Catholic preparatory high school.

As of now, the Monmouth Girl's Academy has been approved to conduct the feasibility study and no decision has been made regarding approval of a Catholic high school. According to Bennett, a decision cannot be made until the committee submits the feasibility study and a positive recommendation.

"The Bishop reserves the right to approve or not approve any initiative bearing the label Catholic and he would be well within his rights should he decide not to approve this venture at this time," Bennett said via email.

Bennett emphasized that in addition to the feasibility study and positive recommendation, economic factors must also be considered.

"Catholic schools everywhere face serious challenges in today’s economy and with demographic shifts that impact enrollment. To create another, new institution may not be the most responsible or wisest path to follow," she said.

According to Bennett, the study is scheduled for presentation to Bishop O'Donnell on Oct. 25. After the presentation, Bishop O'Donnell will review the information with various members of the Diocese.

“From the beginning of the process, our group has sought to keep an open line of communication with the Diocese of Trenton as well as members of local Catholic, private and public school communities,” said Mairead Clifford, co-chair of the committee.

The Middle State Association of Schools and Colleges would be responsible for accrediting the high school.

According to the release, the anticipated yearly tuition would be $13,000, which is comparable to the $13,100 in tuition and fees this year to send a boy to the Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. A location has not yet been chosen, but will be “centrally located” in the county such as Lincroft. Properties have been looked at, however one of the goals of the study is to determine demographics for the school.

Interested families can learn more and sign up for the survey at the committee’s website or onFacebook.