Hudson Catholic Regional High School is a regional four-year co-educational University-preparatory Catholic high school in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey. The school was established in 1964 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark,Hudson County Catholic High Schools, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Accessed March 1, 2023. as a high school for grades 9–12.
The school was conducted by the De La Salle Christian Brothers of the Baltimore District, later changing to the District of Eastern North America in 2008. The remaining Brothers were withdrawn in the summer of 2012, leaving the school solely administered by the Archdiocesan of Newark education office.Staff. , Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, District of North America, July 5, 2012. Accessed July 16, 2012. "For forty-eight years the Brothers have been privileged to minister alongside their colleagues at Hudson Catholic as administrators, teachers, and staff. As a result of personnel restructuring within the school for the 2012–13 academic year, various faculty and staff changes will be implemented. The impact of these changes causes the Brothers to conclude that a viable Brothers' community can no longer be maintained at Hudson Catholic." The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1972.Hudson Catholic Regional High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed February 3, 2022.
As of the 2023–24 school year, the school had an enrollment of 496 students and 30.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 16.5:1. The school's student body was 30.6% (152) Black, 28.2% (140) White, 28.2% (140) Hispanic, 6.0% (30) two or more races, 5.0% (25) Asian, 1.2% (6) Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander and 0.6% (3) American Indian / Alaska Native.School data for Hudson Catholic Regional High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed September 1, 2025.
History In 1958, Archbishop Thomas Boland announced a campaign to build additional high schools throughout the four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark. To help achieve this goal, he requested the De La Salle Christian Brothers to administer Hudson Catholic Regional High School for boys, one of seven such high schools owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Catholic teaching and values are integrated into each educational activity, program, curricular and extra-curricular program at Hudson Catholic.
The Bergen Avenue location of the school was formerly the site of the Fourth Regiment Armory. In the eighteenth century the site was the home of Jane Tuers, a member of the Van Rypen family and an American Revolutionary War heroine. Today the adjacent area is known as McGinley Square.
While the school was under construction in 1964, St. Patrick's Parish hosted Hudson Catholic's first class of 143 students. In the following year, students moved into the partially completed school building. On April 20, 1968, Bishop Martin Stanton officiated at the laying of the cornerstone and the blessing of the school facilities. In June of that year, Archbishop Boland presided at the school's first commencement ceremonies and presented diplomas to 109 graduates.
2008 proposed closing On April 11, 2008, Hudson Catholic announced that the school was to close on June 30, 2008, due to declining enrollment and a rising deficit.Fink, Jason. "Hudson Catholic to close", The Jersey Journal, April 12, 2008. Accessed April 14, 2008. "Hudson Catholic Regional High School in Jersey City will close at the end of this school year, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Newark confirmed last night." A campaign was started to save Hudson Catholic Regional High School led by current students, alumni, faculty, and the surrounding community. On May 7, 2008, it was announced at a meeting that $500,000 was raised and the school would stay open."Answered Prayers, Alumni surpass goal by $108G to save school", The Jersey Journal. Accessed May 8, 2008.
Post-2008 There were about 320 students in the fall of 2008. The school became coeducational in 2009.
The Brothers of the Christian Schools From the time of its founding in 1964, Hudson Catholic was staffed by De La Salle Christian Brothers, a religious congregation of men in the Catholic Church who are devoted exclusively to the education of young people. The Brothers of the Christian Schools, as St. John Baptist de la Salle's followers came to be known, live in a prayerful community in a residence on campus. The "FSC" designation after the name of Brothers (as listed in the directory) is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase for Brothers of the Christian Schools. They take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They are not priests, since St. La Salle wanted them to consider teaching as their only vocation in life and as an indication of their commitment to young people. The Brothers ended their service to Hudson Catholic in July 2012.
Academics Students who attend Hudson Catholic are required to take four years of both Religion and English, in addition to three years of Science, History and Mathematics. Only two years are required for a Modern Language and Physical Education. However students do take more than the required years of the school's set academic requirements. The average class size is 26 students.
The school year is divided into two semesters, each having two quarterly marking periods. Mid-terms are administered at the conclusion of the first semester in late January and Finals are administered at the conclusion of the second semester in early June.
Faculty 75% of the Hudson Catholic faculty have master's degrees, while one member possesses a Doctorate and two others a PhD. The 43 teaching faculty members share 49 Master's degrees and three members of the faculty are also adjunct professors at area colleges.
De La Salle Scholars Program The De La Salle Scholars Program is a comprehensive and integrated 4-year program intended to provide a scholarly, liberal education. The requirements are designed to meet the special needs of the academically gifted student. Accelerated content, in-depth study, small group discussion, interdisciplinary approaches and experimental learning opportunities are integral parts of the Scholars Program.
Student participants De La Salle Scholars are a select group of students who commit themselves to the pursuit of truth and knowledge. These scholars are expected to be active learners who take responsibility for their education.
Student selection Students are selected for the Scholars Program based on their overall intellectual ability as demonstrated by their grammar school grade point average, their high school entrance test scores, and recommendations provided by a teacher and/or counselor. Eighth grade students who select Hudson Catholic Regional High School as one of their choices for secondary education and who meet the criteria will be invited to join the Scholars Program. The invitation is accompanied by a scholarship offer of no less than $1000.00.
Program requirements One week pre-freshman summer program in communication, research and study skills. A full Honors course load, including Honors Latin, during the first year. An Integrative Seminar during the second year. A Service Project during the junior/senior year. A Scholars Qualifying Paper during the senior year. Three years of a Modern Foreign Language. A minimum of two subject area (one in humanities, one in science) at the Honors level throughout the four years, including at least one Advanced Placement course.
Program goals To ensure that each student has an opportunity to develop his intellectual gifts to the fullest. To enhance the opportunities for fellowship, service and leadership in a Christian community. To provide guidance and mentoring to students in the appreciation of their own talents and those of others.
Extra-curricular activities At Hudson Catholic, students are strongly encouraged to become involved in one or more of the extra-curricular activities and/or sports sponsored by the school, which include: Amnesty International, Biology Club, The Commentator, Drama Club (the Hawk Drama Society), Filipino-American Club, French Club, Hawk Yearbook, Lasallian Youth Group, Music Club (School Choir), National Honor Society, Peer Ministry, Spanish Club, Student Government, Technology Club, History Club, Anime/Manga Club, Madden Club, Ebony Club, Chemistry Club, Math Club, Model United Nations, Mock Trial, and just newly added a Forensics club.
Athletics The Hudson Catholic Regional High School HawksHudson Catholic Regional High School, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020. compete in the Hudson County Interscholastic League, which is comprised of public and private high schools in Hudson County and operates under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.Member Schools, Hudson County Interscholastic League. Accessed August 11, 2017.League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020. With 364 students in grades 10-12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Non-Public B for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 37 to 366 students in that grade range (equivalent to Group I for public schools).NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020. The football team competes in the United Blue division of the North Jersey Super Football Conference, which includes 112 schools competing in 20 divisions, making it the nation's biggest football-only high school sports league.Cooper, Darren. "Here's what we know about the new Super Football Conference 2020 schedule", The Record, July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference (SFC) is a 112-team group, the largest high school football-only conference in America, and is comprised of teams from five different counties."Cooper, Darren. "NJ football: Super Football Conference revised schedules for 2020 regular season", The Record, July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference has 112 teams that will play across 20 divisions." The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Non-Public Group B (equivalent to Group I/II for public schools) for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 140 to 686 students.NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2024–2026, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
In addition to intramural sports, interscholastic teams sponsored by Hudson Catholic include: Fall Sports: cross country, football, soccer (boys), soccer (girls), volleyball (girls) Winter Sports: basketball (boys), basketball (girls), swimming (boys), swimming (girls), bowling, indoor track and field Spring Sports: baseball, softball, rugby, tennis, volleyball (boys), outdoor track and field
The boys' basketball team won the Group A state championship in 1976, defeating Holy Spirit High School in the tournament final.NJSIAA Boys Basketball Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed August 10, 2023. The Hawks also won Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association League in 2011, 2012,