MIDDLETOWN, NJ – The Township of Middletown is set to acquire the site of the former Mater Dei Prep High School, a once-beloved Catholic institution that closed its doors in 2022, with plans to demolish the aging school building and convert the 20-acre property into a public park.
This week, rumors spread that the township was purchasing the school to build a commercial and residential center. That rumor was unfounded.
The decision, announced by the Parish of Saint Mary on March 27, marks the end of an era for the New Monmouth section of the township and the beginning of a new chapter for community recreation.
Mater Dei Prep, founded in 1961 by Monsignor Robert T. Bulman, served generations of students over its 61-year history, educating over 8,000 graduates before succumbing to declining enrollment and financial pressures.
The school, which had been a cornerstone of Catholic education in Monmouth County, saw its student body shrink from 300 to just 220 between 2018 and its closure, leaving behind a $1 million annual operating deficit that fundraising efforts couldn’t overcome.
Since shutting down, the property has sat largely unused, save for a brief stint as a filming location for the 2023 “Mean Girls” movie musical.
The sale to Middletown Township, brokered with the support of the Monmouth County Commissioner Board, reflects a shared vision to preserve the land as a community asset rather than see it redeveloped into condos or commercial space.
Middletown Mayor Tony Perry confirmed that the existing sports fields on the property will remain intact, while the school building itself—deemed unnecessary and costly to maintain—will be demolished as early as this summer, following the completion of the sale.
It will be a recreational hub for youth and adult sports, Perry said, emphasizing the township’s commitment to enhancing public amenities.
Interior demolition is slated to begin shortly after the transaction closes, with the full teardown expected to wrap up by late 2025.