By Stephanie Manley
MIDDLETOWN – September will bring an exciting and unique beginning of high school for 35 girls as they start their freshman year at Trinity Hall.
Administrators at the new, all-girls independent high school in the Catholic tradition have hired many of its faculty members and announced its “leadership class” of first-year students. They also have been working on getting physical renovations to its temporary quarters completed, updating the transportation plan and looking forward to the first day of school.
Trinity Hall, which opens Sept. 4, has hired eight educators from all over New Jersey to join the founding faculty team. The faculty members will be teaching diverse and challenging courses ranging from engineering, physics and advanced mathematics to interdisciplinary courses in the humanities.
“The founding faculty consists of experienced professionals with expertise in their subject area and passion for providing a rich and challenging program of study for their students,” said Mary Sciarrillo, Trinity Hall’s first head of school. “We have hired faculty who are deeply committed to our mission and our core values.”
Sciarrillo, who worked at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit for 19 years, is enthusiastic about the school’s first class. The leadership class consists of students from 22 towns in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
“Our first class is strong in number and academic potential,” Sciarrillo said. The girls “represent top students from many area programs” and the Trinity Hall program will engage them “at the highest level, challenging each girl to be her best.”
Trinity Hall’s administration is still working on finalizing a permanent location. The school will operate temporarily at Croydon Hall in Middletown. Renovations to Croydon Hall are ongoing and expected to be completed soon.
In the works are classrooms outfitted with the latest technology, including interactive boards, as well as lab stations and a learning center, where students can relax with peers or get a jump-start on homework.
Other updates include the establishment of a transportation system.
James Palmieri, assistant head of school, said, “from the beginning, Trinity Hall was built to serve students and families from all over Monmouth and northern Ocean counties.” In an effort to make the trip to school simple for the new students, three bus routes have been created.
While a strong academic program – a blend of traditional instruction coupled with innovation – remains at the core of Trinity Hall, athletics will play an important role as well. Soccer, cross-country, swimming, basketball, lacrosse and golf will be available for the coming school year.
Director of Athletics Ken Santos hopes to add field hockey, volleyball, softball and possibly crew and/or sailing in Year 2. He is looking forward to initiating the athletics program and expects “the teams to be competitive right from the start.” He knows that some girls in the inaugural class have athletic experience and are already competing at high levels on their respective club teams. Santos is also excited about the current coaching staff and anticipates hiring more coaches in the coming years.
“We hope to develop a community of learners in partnership with teachers, parents and the outside community where girls learn, are excited to learn, and develop a commitment to lifelong learning,” Sciarrillo said.
Applications are still being accepted for the upcoming school year, albeit space is limited. Additional information is available by visiting www.trinityhallnj.org/admissions.
