Our History

As we journey together living the Gospel message, we at St. Benedict school strive to be Children of God, Friends to Others, True to Ourselves.

Our History

The Diocese of Trenton, aware of the ever-increasing growth of population in the Matawan-Keyport area of Monmouth County, purchased twenty-five acres of land from a family in Holmdel Township to be used as the site of a church and school to meet the spiritual needs of the Catholic families moving to this rural community.

In March 1960, Parish Counselors were hired to organize a Building Fund Campaign to obtain pledges from the members of the Community of St. Benedict. On April 12, 1961, Father Edward P. Blaska, the first pastor, broke ground for the new church and school. A dedication ceremony presided over by Reverend George W. Ahr, the Ordinary of Trenton, was held on September 22, 1962, to celebrate the opening of St. Benedict School.

The original faculty was comprised of three Sisters of the Marianites of the Holy Cross of Princeton, and five lay teachers. Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart was the first principal.

Presently, the administrative and instructional staff consists entirely of lay people, including a principal, eighteen classroom teachers, five exploratory subject teachers, six classroom aides, full and part-time school secretaries, and school nurse. Two wings of the school opened to accommodate 400 students in grades one through three. Every year a grade was added until the elementary school of eight grades was completed.

The first class of students graduated in June 1968. As the student body grew, an additional wing was added to house classrooms, a library, and a faculty room. In 1976, to keep pace with future needs of a changing society, a half-day kindergarten program was established. By 1986, the program expanded to full day.

Over the years, the basic curriculum has expanded to include five exploratory subjects: language, music, computer, library, and physical education. Remedial programs in reading, math, and speech are provided by the state. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in monthly Art Connection classes, an extensive sports program, and extracurricular clubs. Since 1990, the school has provided an Extended Day Program (EDP) to accommodate the needs of working parents.