| |
Please help us spread the word about our upcoming Spring Open House. During the event, attendees will be divided into two focused sessions: a Middle School Panel and a Kindergarten Preview. | | | | |
|
Dear Saint Mary School Alumni,
It is my fervent prayer that you all have a blessed Lenten season and that the run-up to the holiest of days on the liturgical calendar, the reason for our Faith, is both transformative and renewing in our belief in Jesus Christ our Savior. I will continue praying for you all!
I have so much to share with you in this newsletter. First and foremost, I am so grateful for those alums who’ve submitted Alumni Profiles I can share in this monthly communication. Not only does it reaffirm my belief that we are successfully creating a new generation of Saints, but our goal to be “Academically Excellent & Passionately Catholic” is being fulfilled at the highest levels. If your experience is as I’ve just explained, please share this newsletter with other alumni and have them register for our fledgling alumni association. There will be much for us to celebrate together in the coming months and years as we move toward the 75th anniversary of Saint Mary School in 2028!
Finally, I’d like to reiterate the unique posture we are assuming here at Saint Mary School. Not only are we the first Catholic classical liberal arts school in the Diocese of Trenton, but we are also approaching admissions and enrollment from the perspective that any family desiring a Catholic education for their children be able to enroll at our great school. We’ve decided to run the admissions process much like that of a small college where families in need of tuition assistance can apply to our bursar’s office and meet with our bursar committee to review their needs and possibly receive the necessary assistance. As far as I know, this is unique to Saint Mary School, and I am very proud of our attempts to provide an opportunity to those who’ve either been told “sorry” or “we cannot help you” in the past.
In closing, I would simply request that you continue to pray for our success as Saint Mary School is a more necessary respite from the world than ever, addressing the academic, physical, and spiritual needs of its students. If the Spirit moves you, consider making a financial gift to Saint Mary School so others can experience what you have in the past. You can register for the alumni association or make a gift on our website or via the links contained in this newsletter.
God bless you all,
Craig Palmer
Saint Mary School, President
cpalmer@stmaryes.org
| | | | |
|
Marybeth Walz Pritzlaff
Board Member
| | |
Marybeth Walz Pritzlaff grew up in Middletown, where Saint Mary Church and its CCD program played a central role in her childhood. The foundation of faith and service she gained there shaped her values and continues to inspire her personal and professional life.
Marybeth enjoyed a successful 20-year career in the IT industry, working in global sales before choosing to dedicate her life to her family and to philanthropy.
She is the co-founder and Executive Director of Hope for Children Foundation New Jersey and serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Colin P. Casey Foundation. Alongside her formal leadership roles, Marybeth works personally to support families in crisis, especially those facing serious health challenges.
In honor of her late sons, Jude and Thad, she has been especially committed to pediatric cancer causes, while also focusing on uniting nonprofits to maximize their impact.
Her leadership and dedication have been recognized by the Zocchi Charitable Foundation (2010) and with the Thomas Rosamilia Inspiration Award from Stomp the Monster (2015). In 2019, Marybeth was honored to serve as the keynote speaker for Collier Youth Services, where she shared her personal story of love, loss, and resilience for the first time.
At the center of Marybeth’s life is her family. She and her husband, Ode, are blessed with their daughter, Carrington Grace, and her stepdaughters, Talia and Tiana.
Her family, faith, and community remain her greatest sources of strength and inspiration.
| | | | |
LOVE FOR COLIN GALA (see below) ......................................Sunday, March 22 | | SAVE THE DATE, GOLF OUTING.............................................Monday, August 31 | | |
2026 Saint Mary School Alumni Association Golf Classic
Join us on Monday, August 31, 2026, for the Saint Mary School Golf Classic at Beacon Hill Country Club! This outing will benefit our growing school’s Annual Fund and be utilized to ensure those families desiring a Catholic classical liberal arts education can attend Saint Mary School!
Beacon Hill Country Club
8 Beacon Hill Road
Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
10:30 am – Registration, Brunch
12:00 pm – Shotgun Start
5:00 pm – Cocktail Reception, Awards, Dinner
Cost TBD
Craig Palmer (732) 671-0071 ext. 232 or email: cpalmer@stmaryes.org
Sean Kelly ( 520) 465-8158 or email: p.s.kelly512@gmail.com
| | | | |
|
Hello! My name is Melanie Hahn, I am currently a first year law student at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Mississippi. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a law enforcement emphasis from the University of Mississippi in 2022, coupled with a double minor in Legal Studies and Political Science. From 2023- 2025, I pursued a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Policy & Practice at the University, where I also served as a graduate assistant. I am a proud graduate of Saint Mary School Class of 2015 and went on to attend Red Bank Catholic High School from 2015- 2019.
My years at Saint Mary School were packed with memorable experiences. I participated in cheerleading, basketball, and softball. I also expressed my passion for art by painting a mural of Mary and contributing to the hallway bulletin board, bringing more creativity to the school. While I could never choose just one favorite memory, some moments that stand out most are pizza days with Mr. Dolan (always remembering to bring two quarters), Scholastic Book Fair (buying posters and cool pens when my parents gave me money to buy books), laughing at recess with the best-of-the best lunch ladies, heading to the Junction with friends after a half-day, the excitement of Field- Day, Kindergarten Frolic, Christmas Assembly, Patriotic Assembly (learning all the state capitals–which has helped me more times than I’d like to admit), May Crowning, and, most importantly, coming together as a school for Stations of the Cross and Friday morning Mass.
To me, “Passionately Catholic. Academically Excellent. Filled with Joy,” is a calling to live with intention and heart. It means striving to use the gifts God has given me to their fullest potential, working hard not for recognition but out of gratitude, choosing kindness when it’s difficult, perseverance when it’s challenging, and faith when the path feels uncertain. St. Mary’s taught me that serving others—whether in small acts of kindness or meaningful projects—can make a real and lasting difference in their lives. That lesson stayed with me through college, shaping the way I approach every opportunity to help others, and ultimately inspired my decision to pursue law, where I can advocate for justice, give voice to those in need, and serve my community in a way that reflects the values I first learned at the school.
St. Mary’s was so much more than a school–it was the place that guided me to understand who I was and who I wanted to be. Within those walls, I was supported and challenged by amazing faculty and staff, who taught me lessons well beyond the classroom. They led with patience, compassion, and encouragement that allowed us to grow not only as students, but as people of character and faith. Their belief in us, sometimes before our own, became the foundation of our own confidence and strength. St. Mary’s not only prepared me for the next step in education; it grounded me in values that continue to guide me throughout life. For that, I will forever be grateful!
A note to future generations of Saint Mary students: As you sit in your classroom, surrounded by friends—some who will walk beside you in the next chapter of life, and others who may drift away after graduation—hold close every moment you share at school. Appreciate the laughter, the challenges, the “tough love” from your teachers, and even the quiet, ordinary days, for each memory shapes the story of who you are becoming. There will never be another moment when you feel the thrill of sharing a textbook with someone a grade above you. or when beating your own personal record on a times-table worksheet fills you with small, triumphant pride.
| | | | |
CATHOLIC CLASSICAL LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION | | |
Our goal at Saint Mary School is to educate each student fully, and for them to have an understanding of what they're learning and why. Seeking truth in each class – from math, to literature, to history – is at the core of each lesson. Additionally, this program also seeks to have each child develop as an informed Catholic. The marriage of faith and reason is at the heart of the Catholic faith.
How is this an improvement from the old curriculum?
- In general, many of our classes were already operating in the Classical model. The middle school students were already introduced to ethics, philosophy, etc. These courses are geared to helping students think abstractly, ask questions, and wonder. We've just officially given ourselves the title of a "Classical" school.
-
However, some things will be different. For instance, in a middle school literature course, instead of reading something like The Hunger Games, students will read timeless works like Beowulf. In the lower grades, instead of reading Dragons Love Tacos, the students will be introduced to Aesop's Fables. Social Studies textbooks will be replaced with actual history and geography textbooks. Religion will be supplemented with actual theology courses.
How is this better preparing my child for high school?
- Our goal is that each student will have already developed the ability to think abstractly, and that they are introduced to topics being taught in high schools. For one instance, the Rhetorical Triangle is used in both the philosophy and ethics courses. This concept appears in freshman and sophomore high school writing courses, also. They will already have this skill under their belt. (This is of course one example, but this is the general gist.)
- Latin is going to become the language taught at SMS. There are many studies that prove that students who study Latin score higher on the SATs, think more critically, learn other Romantic languages more easily, etc. (Again, just another pointed example.)
How is this better than public school of other private school curriculums?
-
In our efforts to educate the whole person of each student, not only will their academics be enriched by these higher concepts in the classroom, but they will also develop a deeper understanding of their faith. SMS is not just a public school with a Crucifix in each room. As a true Catholic school, we're dedicated to academics and our Catholic faith.
-
Also, many other schools are adopting the Classical model. We were the first school in the diocese, but now there are officially three. In some diocese around the country, all the schools have adopted the Classical model. It's a growing trend and the students are incredibly successful.
I encourage you to click below to read more.
| | | | |
|
Our experience with Saint Mary School has been profoundly impactful. Prior to enrolling, our child experienced a school environment that was not equipped to appropriately support his diagnosed ADHD and high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. As a result, his social development and emotional well-being were significantly affected in ways that were detrimental to his overall growth and confidence.
Since transitioning to Saint Mary School, the difference has been both measurable and meaningful. In addition to providing a structured and developmentally responsive environment, Saint Mary has demonstrated exceptional collaboration and flexibility by approving the presence of an external ABA provider to support him during the school day. This partnership, combined with the school’s consistent expectations and supportive approach, has enabled him to rebuild confidence, strengthen emotional regulation, improve behavioral outcomes, and develop healthier peer relationships.
Notably, due to his exceptional growth and increasing independence, this level of therapeutic support is now being thoughtfully and gradually reduced. The weaning process has been intentional and data-driven, ensuring that support is faded in alignment with his demonstrated skills and readiness rather than on a fixed timeline. As he has internalized strategies for self-regulation, task initiation, and peer engagement, he is relying less on direct intervention and more on natural support within the classroom environment. This transition reflects not only his developmental progress but also the effectiveness of the collaborative model between the school and outside providers. He is now able to navigate classroom expectations, transitions, and social interactions with greater autonomy, resilience, and sustained success.
The professionalism, expertise, and consistency demonstrated by the faculty and staff have been instrumental in this progress. Their commitment to understanding individual learning profiles, fostering inclusion, and working collaboratively with outside professionals has made a lasting and meaningful difference in our child’s overall development.
We are deeply appreciative of the positive and affirming educational experience provided by this school and would confidently recommend it to families seeking a structured, compassionate, and responsive learning community.
| | | | |
Help transform Saint Mary School with Traditional Sacred Art | | |
Four years ago, Saint Mary School joyfully adopted a Catholic Classical Liberal Arts philosophy—an educational approach rooted in the rich intellectual and spiritual tradition of the Church. This model forms students not only in academic excellence but in virtue, beauty, and truth, integrating faith with reason across all subjects. Students encounter the great works of Western Civilization, explore Scripture and Church teaching, and learn to see all knowledge as flowing from and leading back to God.
To further support this sacred mission and ensure that the physical environment of our school reflects our Catholic identity, Saint Mary School is embarking on a new project to purchase Traditional Catholic Art. These sacred images—of Jesus, Our Lady, the saints, and moments from salvation history—will help lift students' hearts and minds to the divine as they walk through the school halls each day. The atmosphere created by such sacred art can profoundly influence the spiritual and intellectual formation of our students.
We are inviting parishioners and alumni to join us in this beautiful endeavor by sponsoring a piece of Catholic art in memory of a loved one—a family member, teacher, priest, or alumnus. Each piece costs approximately $1,000 and will serve as a lasting legacy within our school.
If you would like to support this project and reserve a piece of art, please contact our school president, Mr. Craig Palmer, at cpalmer@stmaryes.org or call 732-671-0071 x221. Thank you for helping us form the next generation of saints.
| | | | |
|
"What Today’s Academics Have Forgotten About Education"
by Dr. Cicero Bruce
I encourage you to click the button below and read the article. It critiques modern secular academics for abandoning the core principles of true education, which should focus on humane learning rooted in virtue, timeless truths, and the holistic study of humanity (encompassing both men and women). All of which is taught at Saint Mary Schoo. Contemporary professors, often nominalists who view universals like truth and goodness as human inventions, promote moral relativism, leading students to confuse right with wrong and lack stable axioms for life. We are proud to offer a better way to learn at Saint Mary School.
| | | | |
