Christian Brothers Academy (also known as CBA) is a private, all-boys preparatory Catholic high school in the Lincroft section of Middletown Township in New Jersey. The school is run by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
The school was originally a farm owned by the prominent Whitney family of New York City, and home to the Greentree Stable. The land was eventually given to the Christian Brothers for the purpose of teaching. The school opened in September 1959 and was blessed by the Bishop of Trenton on October 11, 1959. Christian Brothers Academy operates independently from the Diocese of Trenton and is governed by a board of trustees.
As of the 2021–22 school year, the school had an enrollment of 876 students and 64.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.6:1. The school's student body was 79.5% (696) White, 10.6% (93) Hispanic, 6.8% (60) two or more races, 2.6% (23) Asian and 0.5% (4) Black.School data for Christian Brothers Academy, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 1, 2023.
The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1967.Christian Brothers Academy, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed February 1, 2022.
History The site of Christian Brothers Academy was originally a farm owned by the prominent Whitney family of New York City, and home to their renowned Greentree Stable.
Christian Brothers Academy was founded in 1958, when a group of devoted laymen, including Doctor George A. Sheehan, realized the need for another Catholic high school in Monmouth County. With the approval of the bishop, they initiated a drive to raise funds for the purchase of a piece of property. The Brothers of the Christian Schools, under the leadership of their provincial, Brother Anthony John Halpin, agreed to staff the school and finance its construction.
The former Whitney Greentree Stables, a farm, was purchased and one building was converted into what is now Henderson Hall. With six Brothers on the teaching staff, the school opened for the first time in September 1959 with an inaugural ninth grade class of 140 students, with classrooms built in a converted horse stable."Catholic Prep School", Red Bank Register, September 1, 1959. Accessed March 16, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "A freshman class of about 140 will be the first class at the Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, Sept. 14. The long building is a renovated racing stable which houses eight classrooms and a cafeteria. The covered building at right is an enclosed running track. The land formerly belonged to Greentree Stables. A $1,000,000 permanent academic building is planned next year." The school was blessed by the Bishop of Trenton on October 11, 1959,
A new brick school building with 13 additional classrooms and science labs, constructed at a cost of $1.8 million (equivalent to $ million in ), opened in September 1962; that year, the school had 700 students in grades 9–12."CBA in 4th Year; 1st Senior Class Sarts in Lincroft", Red Bank Register, October 1, 1962. Accessed March 16, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Just three years ago, Christian Brother Academy opened its doors for the first time to 140 freshmen. Today, more than 700 boys attend the ultramodern school. The academy opened Sept 14, 1959, with a staff of six brothers. Classes were held in a former stable, which was converted into eight modern classrooms and a small assembly room. In September, 1961, the academy unveiled a new $1.8 million school building and brothers residence. The new single-story, T-shaped structure of brick, in addition to 13 regular classrooms, houses biology, physics and chemistry laboratories, guidance offices, an administration suite, and a cafeteria with seating facilities for more than 400 persons."
CBA Presidents Brother Andrew O'Gara (1991–2008) Brother Frank Byrne, FSC '75 (2009–2021) Brother Thomas Gerrow, FSC (2021–2022) R. Ross Fales (2022-), first layman to assume the office of president.
CBA Principals Brother Bernard McKenna, FSC (1959–1965) Brother Stephen McCabe, FSC (1965–1972) Brother Peter Mannion, FSC (1972–1979) Brother Andrew O'Gara, FSC (1979–1991), left the office of principal to become CBA's first president. Brother Ralph Montedoro, FSC (1991–2005), previously Associate Principal. Brother Stephen Olert, FSC (2005–2008) Brother James Butler, FSC (2008–2012) Peter Santanello (2012–2015), previously Associate Principal and first layman to assume the office of principal. R. Ross Fales (2015–2022), previously Associate Principal. Cornelius Begley (2022-)
Over the years, the school has undergone many additions and renovations, including the building of the Henderson Theater, three science labs, two large gyms, and extra classrooms. The school's Christian emphasis is noted by a sign in the lobby which reads: "Jesus is the reason for this school, the unseen but ever-present teacher in its classes, the model of the faculty and the inspiration of its students." Before school begins and at the start of every class, prayers are offered in the Lasallian manner, beginning "Let us remember we are in the Holy Presence of God" and ending with the invocations, "St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us." "Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever!"
Awards, recognition, and rankings During the 1983–84 academic year, Christian Brothers Academy was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education,National Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982 Through 2019 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed September 1, 2024. the highest award an American school can receive."CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department", Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve.""Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test", The Washington Post. September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school." The school was honored a second time when it was one of eight private schools recognized in 2017 by the Blue Ribbon Schools Program as an Exemplary High Performing School by the U.S. Department of Education.Pries, Allison. 17 "New Jersey schools earn National Blue Ribbon Award", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 29, 2017. Accessed October 18, 2017.
Academics Advanced Placement courses offered include AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French Language, AP Human Geography, AP Latin: Vergil, AP Music Theory, AP Physics C, AP Physics 2, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP United States History, and AP World History.2016-17 School Profile, Christian Brothers Academy. Accessed August 17, 2017.
In addition to the 22 AP courses offered at Christian Brothers Academy, the institution offers nearly 90 other courses that spread throughout the disciplines.
In order to receive a diploma, a student must successfully complete four years of each of the following: English, Health, and Theology. He must also complete three years of the following courses: History, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Physical Education. Furthermore, students are required to complete two years of Computer Science.
Students who excel in CBA and who meet particular standards of academics, service, leadership, and character may apply for entry to the National Honor Society.
Extracurricular activities Some activities at CBA include: Academic: Academic Team, Mathematics Team, Science Team, Engineering Club National Honor Society Art/Literature: Academy Torch (Newspaper), Arister (Literary Magazine), Pegasus (Yearbook) News Team, Journalism Performing Arts: Pipes and Drums, Chorus, Jazz Band, Pegasus Productions (Theater) Foreign Language: Spanish Club, Spanish National Honor Society, French Club, French National Honor Society, Italian Culture Society, Latin Honor Society, Classical Culture Society, Celtic Society Outdoor Activities: Frisbee Club, Landscaping-Engineering-Architecture and Design Club, Ski Club, Spikeball Club, Trail and Terrain Club Politics/Law: Student Council, Junior Statesmen of America, Mock Trial, Model U.N., Leadership Series, Social Justice Committee Religious: Theological Debate Society, Saint Brother Benilde Vocations Club, Gospel Sharing, Brother to Brother Other: Future Business Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Chess Club and Team, Sci-Fi Club, Comic Book and Anime Club, Action For Animals, Ping-Pong Club, Fishing Club, Wellness Club
The CBA chess team won the shore title in 2003, 2006 and again in 2007. In 2007, the team won the New Jersey state championship as it also did in 1980 and 1985. The team also placed 14th in 2007 at the U1500 at the National High School Chess Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri.2007 National High School (K-12) Championship, United States Chess Federation. Accessed November 10, 2007.
The school offers the Lasallian Youth program, a way for students to perform service to surrounding areas within the context of the spirituality of the school's patron, St. John Baptist de La Salle.
Athletics The Christian Brothers Academy ColtsChristian Brothers Academy, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020. have competed since 1982 in Division A North of the Shore Conference, which is composed of public and private high schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties on the Northern Jersey Shore.Shore Conference Realignment for 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, Shore Conference. Accessed November 13, 2020.Member Schools, Shore Conference. Accessed November 15, 2020. The conference operates under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020. Since entering, the Colts have won over 240 Shore Conference championships. With 1,386 students in grades 10–12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Non-Public A for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 381 to 1,454 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.