Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic high school in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States

Trenton Catholic Academy

Address

175 Leonard Avenue

Hamilton Township

(Mercer County)

New Jersey

08610

United States

Coordinates| 40°13′4″N 74°43′7″W﻿ / ﻿40.21778°N 74.71861°W﻿ / 40.21778; -74.71861
Information
Type| Private, parochial
Religious affiliation(s)| Roman Catholic
Opened| 1962 (opened)
2005 (new name)
Closed| 2021 (scheduled)
NCES School ID| 00867582[1]
President| Lauren Brazil
Faculty| 12.1 FTEs[1]
Grades| PreK–12
Gender| Coed
Enrollment| 194 (as of 2021–22)[1]
Student to teacher ratio| 16:1[1]
Campus size| 62 acres (250,000 m2)
Color(s)|  Royal blue
white[2]
Slogan| Expect the Exceptional!
Team name| Iron Mikes / Lady Mikes[2]
Accreditation| AdvancED[3]
Tuition| $11,400 (2022-23 for upper school)[4]
Upper School Director| Charles Kroekel
Lower School Director| Anne Reap
Admissions Director| Renee Rogers
Technology Director| John Russo
Athletic Director| Giancarlo Riotto; Fred Falchi
Website| trentoncatholicprep.org

Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy (formerly Trenton Catholic Academy) is a Catholic school in Trenton, in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades and formerly operated under the auspices of the Diocese of Trenton.[5] Since the start of the 2021-22 school year, the school operates under an independent board of trustees.[6]

As of the 2021–22 school year, the school had an enrollment of 194 students and 12.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 16:1. The school's student body was 52.1% (101) Hispanic, 38.7% (75) Black, 7.7% (15) White, 1.0% (2) two or more races and 0.5% (1) Asian.[1]

## History[edit]

Trenton Catholic Academy's high school, i.e., upper school, was known as McCorristin Catholic High School from 1979 to 2005. From its establishment in September 1962 until 1979, the school was known as Saint Anthony High School and was affiliated with Saint Anthony Church on Olden Avenue in Hamilton Township.[7] The school was renamed to honor McCorristin in 1979 and then renamed as Trenton Catholic Academy in 2005 after a series of mergers with other area schools.[8]

The name McCorristin refers to Monsignor Michael "Iron Mike" McCorristin, a Catholic cleric responsible for major parish expansion projects at Holy Angels Church and Saint Anthony Church in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey (a suburb of Trenton). The announcement of the closing of Trenton Catholic High School at the end of the 1961–62 school year prompted Monsignor McCorristin to build a new high school to serve the parishes of Trenton and Hamilton Township. Monsignor McCorristin was noted for his staunch support of education and parish life as well as a devotion to a spartan personal lifestyle.[9]

In the wake of a $2 million annual deficit and the impact if COVID-19 on enrollment, the Diocese of Trenton announced in January 2021 that the school is scheduled to close at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. The 550 current TCA students in grades K-12 were to be directed to Notre Dame High School and to other nearby elementary schools as alternatives.[10][11]

The school later reached an agreement with the archdiocese to become an independent Catholic school under the current name. The new school is operated by a nonprofit known as Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc.[12]

## Athletics[edit]

The Trenton Catholic Academy Iron Mikes[2] compete in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL), which is comprised of public and private high schools in Burlington, Mercer and Ocean counties in central New Jersey, and operates under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).[13] With 149 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).[14]

The baseball team won the Non-Public A state championship in 1972 (defeating Don Bosco Preparatory High School), 1974 (vs. Saint Joseph Regional High School) and 1975 (vs. Roselle Catholic High School).[15] The 1972 team won the Parochial A title with a 2-0 win against Don Bosco in the championship game for a 16-6 record.[16]

The girls basketball team won the Group II state championship in 1980 (against Union Catholic High School) and won the Non-Public Group B state title in 2007 (vs. St. Anthony High School), 2008 (vs. Marist High School), 2010 (vs. Gill St. Bernard's School) and 2011 (vs. Gill St. Bernard's). The team was declared as the Non-Public South B sectional champion in 2020 after the group finals were cancelled due to COVID-19[17] The 1983 team finished the season with a 27-3 record after taking a 16-point lead at the half against Union Catholic in the Group II championship game and holding on to win by a score of 65-55.[18] The team won the 2006 South B state sectional title, topping Cardinal McCarrick High School 64–53.[19] The team won the South B state sectional championship again in 2007 with a 74–54 win over Sacred Heart High School.[20] The team moved on to win the Group B state championship with a 69–27 win against St. Anthony High School.[21] In 2011, the Trenton Catholic Academy girls' basketball team defeated Neptune High School by a score of 54–49 in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions final. In doing so, TCA became the first New Jersey high school to capture both a boys (2010) and girls (2011) TOC title.[22]

The boys basketball team won the Non-Public Group A state championship in 1982 (against runner-up Seton Hall Preparatory School in the playoff finals), 1989 (vs. Bergen Catholic High School) and 1990 (vs. Seton Hall), and won the Non-Public B title in 2010 (vs. Saint Anthony High School).[23] The 2010 team won the program's first state title in two decades with a 57–56 win in triple overtime in the Non-Public B championship game at the Ritacco Center against Saint Anthony, a team that had won all 18 of its previous final appearances starting in 1980.[24] Trenton Catholic became the first Mercer County team to win the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions, coming in as the second seed and winning against number-three seed University High School by 63–46 in the semifinals and won vs. top-seeded Camden Catholic High School in the championship game at the Izod Center by a score of 53–39 to finish the season with a 28–3 record.[25][26][27]

The softball team won the Non-Public Group B state championship in 1983, defeating DePaul Catholic High School in the tournament final.[28]

The 2008-09 Trenton Catholic Lower School girls' basketball team finished the season with a 26–1 record, won the Mercer County CYO Championship, and was runner-up in the Tournament of Champions.

At the high school level the Iron Mikes have added other sports to the list such as Cross Country, Winter and Outdoor Track for the 2008-09 year.

## Notable alumni[edit]

See also: Category:Trenton Catholic Academy alumni

* Charles Cooke (born 1994), NBA basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans.[29]
* Brian Duperreault (born 1947, class of 1965), executive in the insurance industry who is the CEO of American International Group.[30]
* Billy Gazonas (born c. 1955, class of 1974), soccer midfielder who won the 1977 Hermann Trophy as the top collegiate soccer player of the year, and played in both the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. In 1999, he was named by The Star-Ledger as one of the top ten New Jersey high school soccer players of the 1970s.[31][32]
* Brandel Littlejohn, professional wrestler who competes for Ring of Honor, where he performs under the ring name "World Famous CB".[33]
* Frantz Massenat (born 1992), professional basketball player who played for the Drexel Dragons.[34]
* Myles Powell (born 1997), basketball player for the Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team.[35]
* Malachi Richardson (born 1996), professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors.[36]
* La'Keisha Sutton (born 1990), professional basketball player for the Harlem Globetrotters.[37]
* Brandon Taylor (born 1994), professional basketball player for Jämtland Basket of the Basketligan.[38]
* John K. Rafferty (1938-2021), mayor of Hamilton Township from 1976-1999

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e School data for Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy-Upper, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 1, 2023.
2. ^ a b c Trenton Catholic Academy, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
3. ^ Trenton Catholic Academy, AdvancED. Accessed August 17, 2017.
4. ^ Admissions, Trenton Catholic Academy. Accessed January 27, 2024.
5. ^ School Finder, Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. Accessed November 9, 2017.
6. ^ About, Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy. Accessed January 27, 2024. "In March 2021, Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc., was created to provide Catholic education, but as a private, independent school, managed by a Board of Trustees, dedicated to providing outstanding academics, and a safe home where every student can thrive and succeed. Despite the name changes, the school mascot remains the Iron Mike, paying homage to the tough man with the soft heart who made this school possible."
7. ^ Glover, Tom. "Glover: The story of Trenton Catholic Academy dates back to 1961", The Times, August 17, 2014, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed November 29, 2020. "Fifty two years ago, in September 1962, the first students entered the new St. Anthony High School, the forerunner of McCorristin Catholic High School and today’s Trenton Catholic Academy. The story actually begins back in 1961, when the Franciscan fathers of Trenton Catholic High School notified Bishop George W. Ahr that the Chambersburg school would close its doors at the end of the 1962 school year.... In 1971, the announcement was made that Cathedral High School would close at the end of the 1972 school year. Once again, Monsignor McCorristin and his loyal volunteers picked up their shovels, trowels, saws and hammers and built still another wing to accommodate 400 additional students."
8. ^ O'Connor, Rosemarie. "Remembering Msgr. McCorristin Beloved priest's legacy celebrated on 20th anniversary of his death", Trenton Monitor, December 13, 2010. Accessed November 29, 2020. "St. Anthony High School was built on 50 acres of the Kuser Estate in Hamilton and Bishop Ahr renamed the school McCorristin Catholic High School in 1979. In 2005, the school was part of a diocesan consolidation and became Trenton Catholic Academy, a Pre-K-12 regional school."
9. ^ About Trenton Catholic Academy, Trenton Catholic Academy. Accessed November 29, 2020. "In 1962 the all-boys Trenton Catholic High School announced it would close its doors. Concerned for the academic and spiritual future of area youth, Monsignor Michael P. McCorristin, pastor of St. Anthony Parish, petitioned Bishop George Ahr of the Diocese of Trenton, to build a new parish high school in Hamilton."
10. ^ Importnant Announcement, Trenton Catholic Academy. Accessed January 11, 2021.
11. ^ "Trenton Catholic Academy to close in June; Diocese to offer resources for students to continue Catholic education", Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, January 8, 2021. Accessed January 11, 2021. "Unfortunately, the growing cost of providing a quality, innovative education has consistently outpaced tuition and fundraising income, leaving the school with a $2 million deficit each year and a cumulative need for $24 million in financial support over the past 12 years.... The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has dealt a serious blow to families’ abilities to afford tuition and to strategic plans that had aimed to increase revenue.... Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt pointed to steps that the Diocese will take to assist TCA students transitioning to a new Catholic school next year. He said, 'TCA students will be welcomed at Notre Dame High School in nearby Lawrenceville and at a number of Catholic elementary schools in close proximity to TCA so that Catholic education might continue to be available in Mercer County.'"
12. ^ Abdur-Rahman, Sulaiman (May 26, 2021). "TCA savior group signs lease agreement with Diocese of Trenton". The Trentonian. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
13. ^ League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
14. ^ NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
15. ^ NJSIAA Baseball Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
16. ^ "Jackson, Anthony's Take State Crowns", Courier-Post, June 12, 1972. Accessed February 7, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Jackson Township and St. Anthony of Trenton High Schools triumphed here Saturday in the NJSIAA baseball tournament to run South Jersey's total to four champions for 1972. Jackson Township (22-7) nipped favored Summit, 2-1, to win the Group 3 title and St. Anthony's blanked Don Bosco of Ramsey, 2-0, behind the two-hit pitching of sophomore Chuck Paglione to win Parochial A honors.... St. Anthony (16-6) scored its runs in the second on Frank Waryasz' home run, an error, Bob Apgar's single and walks to Bill Welsh and Gary McDonald."
17. ^ NJSIAA Girls Basketball Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
18. ^ Bell, Jack. "Pascack Valley falls apart", Herald News, March 23, 1980. Accessed February 22, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "In the Group 2 final, Kate Larkin scored 27 points to power McCorristin (formerly St. Anthony's of Trenton) to its second straight state title with a 65-55 victory over Union Catholic (22-6), the North Jersey, Section 2 champ.... In the Group 2 final, McCorristin began the game with an all-court press that worked to perfection. Union Catholic committed 19 turnovers in the first half as the Iron Mikes built a 37-21 lead at intermission."
19. ^ 2006 Girls Basketball - South B, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 10, 2007.
20. ^ 2007 Girls Basketball - South B, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 10, 2007.
21. ^ 2007 Girls Basketball - Non-Public Group Finals, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 10, 2007.
22. ^ George O'Gorman. "TCA wins Tournament of Champions", The Trentonian, March 21, 2011. Accessed April 12, 2011. "By duplicating what the Trenton Catholic boys did here a year ago in winning the boys TofC, the Lady Mikes made NJSIAA history, making their school the first in New Jersey history to win TofC championships in both genders."
23. ^ NJSIAA Boys Basketball Championship History Archived January 16, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
24. ^ Kinney, Mike. "Trenton Catholic 57, St. Anthony 56 (High school Boys Basketball scores and results)", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 13, 2010, updated August 26, 2019. Accessed November 29, 2020. "The game tipped off 40 minutes behind schedule because a tardy bus arrival by St. Anthony and ended almost two hours later when senior guard Khalid Lewis gathered a rebound off a missed free throw with 4.7 seconds left and dribbled away from trouble to preserve a 57-56 victory for Trenton Catholic in the NJSIAA/ShopRite Non-Public B championship yesterday at the Ritacco Center in Toms River.... Great, as in Trenton Catholic’s first state title since it won the Parochial A crown in 1990 as McCorristin. Great, as in becoming the first team to beat St. Anthony in a state final since 1979 and after 25 championships for the Jersey City power, 23 in 38 seasons under legendary coach Bob Hurley."
25. ^ NJSIAA Boys Basketball Tournament Of Champions History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
26. ^ Narducci, Marc. "Camden Catholic boys fall to Trenton Catholic, 53-39", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 23, 2010. Accessed November 29, 2020. "Second-seeded Trenton Catholic contested every shot with great quickness and defensive anticipation to defeat Camden Catholic, 53-39 in earning its first TOC title.... Trenton Catholic capped a remarkable postseason, which included a triple overtime win over St. Anthony in the state Non-Public B final. They ended with a 28-3 mark."
27. ^ Staff. "NJ boys basketball: TC title in T of C!", The Star-Ledger, March 24, 2010. Accessed April 12, 2011. "Trenton Catholic became the first Mercer County team to win the Tournament of Champions when the Hamilton school knocked off Camden Catholic, 53-39, on Tuesday night at the Izod Center in East Rutherford."
28. ^ NJSIAA Softball Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
29. ^ Staff. "Former TCA star Charles Cooke signs contract with Pelicans", The Trentonian, August 3, 2017. Accessed October 9, 2017. "Another Trenton Catholic Academy boys basketball product is on the NBA radar. Charles Cooke, who starred with the Iron Mikes from 2010-2012, has signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced this week."
30. ^ O'Connor, Rose. "Iron Mike Gala celebrates Trenton Catholic Academy's 50 years of mission", The Monitor. Accessed July 8, 2019. "Brian Duperreault received the Monsignor McCorristin Mission Award. Duperreault, a member of the first graduating class of 1965, has served in a variety of leadership roles, including President and Chief Executive Officer of Marsh and McLennan Companies, Inc., a service firm specializing in the areas of risk, insurance, human capital and strategy."
31. ^ Jandoli, Ron. "The Century's Best -- Boys Soccer: Top 10 Players of each decade", The Star-Ledger, November 7, 1999, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 10, 2003. Accessed September 11, 2008.
32. ^ Clark, Ray. "Luncheon to spotlight 50 Trenton Catholic Academy, McCorristin High stars", The Times, February 28, 2013. Accessed November 9, 2017.
33. ^ Varsallone, Jim. "Ring of Honor fans enjoy making Cheeseburger a top seller", Miami Herald, April 30, 2016. Accessed January 4, 2018. "Cheeseburger grew up Brandel in Trenton, N.J. He attended Trenton Catholic Academy in Hamilton, N.J. He played some basketball in school but nothing serious."
34. ^ Coleman, Anthony. "Former Trenton Catholic Academy standout Frantz Massenat enjoying Drexel", The Times, December 12, 2010. Accessed January 21, 2015. "Frantz Massenat was all smiles. The former Trenton Catholic Academy standout appeared to be at peace with where he is in his young life."
35. ^ Myles Powell, Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball. Accessed August 6, 2019. "Attended Medford Tech, Trenton Catholic, and most recently South Kent School... birthday is July 7 and was born in Trenton, N.J."
36. ^ Miller, Sean. "Malachi Richardson of Trenton Catholic is The Times of Trenton boys basketball Player of the Year for 2014-15", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 27, 2015. Accessed July 30, 2016. "When Malachi Richardson came to Trenton Catholic Academy as a freshman, he told Mark Eckel, then the athletic director, and Fred Falchi, the head basketball coach and current AD, that he would accomplish two goals on the hardwood in high school."
37. ^ Parker, L.A.. "The former South Carolina University star via Trenton Catholic Academy requested a rebounder then showed the genesis of her nickname.", The Trentonian, February 26, 2019.
38. ^ Tarr, Mary Ann. "TCA's Brandon Taylor wins Times' boys' basketball Player of the Year", The Times, March 24, 2012. Accessed October 9, 2017. "He might have been a Golden Eagle but instead Brandon Taylor of Tabernacle chose to do his high-flying high school days at Trenton Catholic Academy in Hamilton. Taylor, who opted to attend TCA instead of his hometown Seneca High, became the Iron in the Iron Mikes' boys' basketball program."

## External links[edit]

* Trenton Catholic Upper School
* PEDUS - Homestay for Trenton Catholic School

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