Rumson Founders' Trinity Hall Testing Starts

The Rumson-based founders of Trinity Hall, a newly established all-girls high school in the Catholic tradition, have announced that they will welcome the school's first freshman class in September 2013 to a Croydon Hall campus in Middletown.

The campus, located at 900 Leonardville Road, in the Leonardo section of Middletown, includes an academic building; a full-sized gymnasium with a stage, fitness room and locker rooms; an all-purpose room for lunch and activities; parking; and outdoor spaces including quality athletic fields.

The Trinity Hall Board of Trustees, Middletown Mayor Anthony Fiore and township officials have agreed upon a multi-year lease to sustain the school through its founding years, although the search for a permanent, centrally- located home for Trinity Hall remains a priority.

Since launching a feasibility study in 2010 to assess the need and potential for the single-sex high school, planning for Trinity Hall has moved forward and gained momentum. 

In mid-January, the Trinity Hall board announced its leadership team. A head of school and assistant head of school have been hired. According to Victoria Gmelich, of Rumson, a founding member of the Trinity Hall Board of Trustees, “These fine educators and leaders, both of whom will be joining us from prestigious independent girls’ schools and have roots in New Jersey, are thrilled to accept this opportunity and challenge.”

Studies show that girls find it easier to excel and become more confident learners in an all-girls setting. Girls feel encouraged to speak up in class, to express their opinions, and to take initiative. The all-girls environment creates a special, sister-like bond among students and a strong community.

Trinity Hall will offer a technology-rich learning environment, a superior faculty and a challenging interdisciplinary curricular program. Unique and exciting co-curricular learning opportunities will engage its diverse, passionate, creative and caring student body. The young women of Trinity Hall will be empowered to take risks, pursue personal passions, network globally and grow as learners and as valued individuals.

Mary Pat Christie, New Jersey’s First Lady, has been following Trinity Hall’s progress. Mrs. Christie recently congratulated the Founding Families and Trustees of Trinity Hall “on their admirable efforts to provide an all-girls high school option to the young women of Monmouth County.

Trinity Hall’s inspiring mission of educating and empowering young women of diverse backgrounds resonates with me personally. Students and parents of this region should have the option of a single-sex education, as it is widely available in other areas of the state. As a new school venture, Trinity Hall will provide students immediate opportunities for leadership and personal growth. I look forward to watching and supporting this emerging school community.”

Trinity Hall’s leadership team will be interviewing for teaching positions between January and March of 2013. In addition, Trinity Hall is committed to creating a competitive three-season athletic program immediately.

A freshman class will be enrolled in year one that will accommodate at least two interscholastic sports programs each season, beginning with Freshman and/or Junior Varsity teams. The competition level will grow with the founding class, allowing for Varsity Athletics by year two or three, depending on the sport.”

Trinity Hall will be conducting the High School Placement Test (HSPT), offered by the Scholastic Testing Service, at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ on Saturday, Jan. 26, for female students interested in attending and being part of the 2013-14 first year Leadership Class. All fees for the first year application process have been waived.

Sean Clifford, another founding board member, has stated that “at least $250,000 in financial aid will be available for members of Trinity Hall’s Leadership Class with demonstrated financial need.” The Board of Trustees has set tuition for the 2013-14 school year at a level that will allow Trinity Hall to achieve its mission and objectives. Trinity Hall will make every effort to assist families with the rising cost of education.

To express interest in Trinity Hall:

1. Complete the admission inquiry form at Trinity Hall’s website: http://www.trinityhallnj.org/admission-inquiry-form;

2. Register your daughter for the entrance exam by emailing info@trinityhallnj.org using Entrance Exam as the subject line: and 3. Complete the paper application that will be sent to you by mail. Return applications, transcripts and recommendations to PO Box 356, Red Bank NJ 07701.

Families that submit the application and student questionnaire before (or on the day of) the entrance exam on Saturday, Jan. 26, will be granted priority in the review process. Otherwise, a rolling admission will be used to admit students throughout the spring months. After your initial inquiry, a Trinity Hall representative will contact you to address student and family questions, and to review the application process and required forms.

“We are delighted to be officially opening the doors of Trinity Hall in September and providing young women with a college preparatory education option dedicated to female students, grounded in the Catholic tradition, and honoring the core values of leadership, respect, perseverance and faith,” said Clifford.

“We are grateful to Mayor Fiore and Middletown Township officials for offering Croydon Hall to be the school’s first location during its founding years. Additionally, we want to thank all the families volunteering to make this vision a reality, and we look forward to welcoming the new families who will form our Leadership Class of 2013-14.”

For more information, visit www.trinityhallnj.org or call 732-759-7663.