Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST)
Highlands, NJ
The Verdict
The Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) occupies a uniquely privileged location at the tip of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, within the Fort Hancock Historic District and adjacent to the oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. Founded in 1981 as a part-time program serving just 53 students, MAST has evolved into one of the most selective and academically rigorous public high schools in the country, earning the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education in both 1998 and 2013.
The school's 3.5-acre campus sits directly adjacent to the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, a research facility shared by NOAA and the State of New Jersey, giving students unprecedented access to real-world marine research. MAST operates a 65-foot research vessel, the Blue Sea, berthed at the nearby U.S. Coast Guard station, which sails multiple times weekly for hands-on oceanographic studies. With its mandatory NJROTC program and marine science focus, MAST has become a pipeline to military service academies and top-tier universities, with graduates serving as Navy fighter pilots, Marine intelligence officers, and merchant marine officers.
About
A highly selective magnet school with a Naval JROTC program and marine science focus.
Admissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
highly selective
Key Requirements
- Application submitted during early fall of 8th grade year
- Attendance at mandatory open house session to obtain application packet
- Strong academic record with competitive grades
- Teacher recommendations
- Commitment to four years of mandatory NJROTC participation
- Open to all New Jersey high school students except those from Ocean County
Admitted Student Profile
3.73
Avg GPA
1370
Avg SAT
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
3.5 acres
Housing
N/A
Enrollment
276
Student:Teacher
10:1
Campus Life
Daily Schedule
As a day school, MAST does not have residential housing. Students are bused from their home school districts throughout Monmouth County and other New Jersey counties. The academic day includes rigorous STEM coursework, Naval Science classes, and hands-on marine research activities. Since most students commute from their home districts, extracurricular activities are primarily held during school hours, with lunch periods dedicated to club meetings. Students requiring early dismissal for home school athletic competitions may receive approval for mandatory practices and official matches.
Discipline Model
All MAST students are members of the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC), which serves as the foundation of the school's discipline model. The MAST unit is organized as a battalion with four companies and a headquarters section, with the highest achievable rank being Cadet Commander. Students participate in an Annual Military Inspection (AMI) each spring or fall. The NJROTC program instills Navy core values including leadership, accountability, and discipline while fostering teamwork across all grade levels. Participation in NJROTC satisfies the physical education requirement and teaches maritime traditions that reinforce the school's marine science mission.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
100%
Where Graduates Go
MAST regularly sends graduates to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The Class of 2013 received approximately $17.9 million in scholarships and academy appointments. Numerous graduates earn ROTC scholarships to colleges throughout the country. Recent alumni include Navy lieutenants serving on guided missile destroyers, F/A-18 fighter pilots, Marine ground intelligence officers, and Merchant Marine officers.
Hall of Fame
LTJG Dan (Class of 2016)
Navy lieutenant and plank owner on the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), the Navy's newest guided missile destroyer
Leor (Class of 2015)
Naval Academy graduate and F/A-18 fighter pilot with Wings of Gold
AJ (Class of 2018)
Merchant Marine Academy graduate, Ensign in Navy Reserve, and Merchant Marine officer
Ryan (Class of 2018)
University of South Carolina graduate and Marine Corps ground intelligence officer
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
All students participate in physical training through the mandatory NJROTC program, which fulfills the state physical education requirement. The program emphasizes naval fitness standards, discipline, and teamwork. Students may also participate in competitive sports at their home high schools, with early dismissal granted for official matches and mandatory practices.
Facilities
The campus includes thirteen renovated buildings within the Fort Hancock Historic Area, a state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) lab, a 3,700 sq. ft. materials testing and fabrication lab, two computer labs, a Technology Workshop, a Media Center with computer classroom, a Naval Science Building, and a wet laboratory in the NOAA James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory. The crown jewel is the 65-foot research vessel Blue Sea, berthed at the U.S. Coast Guard station, used for oceanographic research including side-scan sonar mapping, ichthyoplankton identification, and fish population dynamics studies. Students have walking access to several Sandy Hook beaches.
External Ratings
We don't collect or moderate reviews. Links point to trusted third-party sources.
Official Federal Data Sources
Verify information directly from U.S. Department of Education databases:
Photo Gallery
Related Schools
Delaware Military Academy
Wilmington, DE
Founded in 2003, the Delaware Military Academy is the only public charter high school in the United States based on the traditions, values, and ideals of the U.S. Navy. Cadets enrolled are active members of the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program and learn through a structured, traditional military school environment including self-discipline, motivation, and activities that enable our students to become productive citizens in a vastly changing technological society.
Philadelphia Military Academy at Elverson
Philadelphia, PA
A public military high school in Philadelphia offering a structured Army JROTC curriculum.
Christian Brothers Academy
Albany, NY
Christian Brothers Academy is a Catholic, Lasallian college preparatory school for young men in grades 6-12 located in Albany, New York. The school features a robust Army JROTC program and combines rigorous academics with military discipline and Catholic values.
First State Military Academy
Clayton, DE
A Marine Corps JROTC school combining military structure with New Tech Network project-based learning—students learn through hands-on projects rather than traditional lectures, developing problem-solving skills that align with the Marine Corps ethos of "improvise, adapt, overcome."
La Salle Institute
Troy, NY
La Salle Institute is an independent, Catholic college preparatory school serving students in grades 6-12. Its mission is to educate students in the Lasallian tradition, fostering a supportive environment to help them become moral, responsible, and productive members of their communities.
U.S. Army War College
Carlisle, PA
The U.S. Army War College provides graduate-level instruction to senior military officers, government officials, and civilians to prepare them for senior leadership assignments and responsibilities. It educates and develops leaders for service at the strategic level while advancing knowledge in the global application of landpower.
Guides & Resources
Free Military Schools: Your Complete Guide to No-Tuition Options
Yes, free military schools exist. Public academies, charter schools, service academies, and Youth Challenge programs offer tuition-free military education—each with different requirements and trade-offs.
How to Evaluate a Military School Like an Insider
Tour like a pro. Read the handbook like a detective. Watch the mess hall like a spy. The complete guide to seeing past the polished presentation and finding the right school.
What Is a Military School?
Understanding the different types of military academies in the United States, from private boarding schools to public academies and Youth Challenge programs.
Leaving Military School: Withdrawal Policies, Refunds, and Transitions
What happens if military school isn't working out? Understand withdrawal timelines, refund policies, transcript handling, and how to transition back to traditional school.
Alabama's CHOOSE Act: Using ESA Funds for Military School
How Alabama families can use Education Savings Account funds from the CHOOSE Act to pay for private military school tuition.
Enrollment Logistics: From Interview to Move-In Day
The complete practical guide to military school enrollment. From acing the admissions interview to packing the right items to navigating mid-year starts—every logistical detail covered.