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
MAST is a tuition-free public magnet high school on Sandy Hook in Highlands, NJ, combining mandatory Navy JROTC with marine science for 276 students in grades 9-12.
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
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Official Federal Data Sources
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Photo Gallery
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