State of School

Dear Casey Community,

I am as excited as ever for another year at Red Bank Catholic. The beginning of the school year offered us all a fresh start, one filled with its own special uniqueness. First year Caseys joined our student body, along with new teachers and veteran faculty.  Everyone radiates with enthusiasm and a renewed fervor to plan for the future.

It is with great pride that I share that RBC is thriving. Enrollment is growing and we continue to make dynamic investments in our curriculum and learning spaces. Over the past year we have been blessed with national and local accolades recognizing our successes. The world-renowned ranking agency Niche placed Red Bank Catholic on its Best Schools List for 2024, the Asbury Park Press named RBC (Best Catholic School) in Monmouth County according to readers, NJ101.5 named Red Bank Catholic the #3 high school for athletics in New Jersey, and our hardworking Performing Arts Department added 4 Basie awards in the spring for a school total of 24.   These are fitting acknowledgments of the efforts made by so many who make up the Casey Community. At Red Bank Catholic, true success is measured in every Casey who walks the halls and boldly steps out into the world to make a difference.

In September, we warmly welcomed Dr. Vanessa Pereira, our new principal. An outstanding educator, Dr. Pereira’s enthusiasm is evident in her return to Catholic education. She has already begun sharing ideas and helping us creatively envision an RBC of the future. It has been exciting to introduce Dr. Pereira to the Casey legacy and to see our extraordinary community of students, staff, and alumni embrace her.

Much work has been done to reconnect alumni and families to our school. The Development Office has worked with generous donors to fund various projects that will sustain and grow RBC, including the new 21st Century CADD Engineering Lab.  With a focus on scholarships, we remain committed to recognizing achievement through merit and need-based scholarships.  I am humbled to share that we now have 61 students receiving a partial or full donor-funded scholarship. This important work is made possible by our alumni and parents who have been called to partner in this important work. Simultaneously, last year the Red Bank Catholic High School Foundation, an independent 501c3 corporation, was announced and completed a feasibility study for a major campaign that will unite Caseys across generations. We look forward to sharing more about this in the future.

I invite you to become familiar with the following pages in our State of the School. Along with other features on our website, it will give you a clear and comprehensive picture of a school working to achieve and innovate, care for students, support and partner with families, connect generations of Caseys and, above all, embody the mission so ingrained in our Sisters of Mercy founding and St. James parish roots.

With Casey pride,

Mr. Robert Abatemarco, President

Faculty Highlights

Our faculty and staff are the heart and soul of Red Bank Catholic. Their dedication to the students’ educational, spiritual, and personal success is unparalleled. As we continue to invest in and improve the Red Bank Catholic experience, we have made some exciting changes and additions to our teachers and administration.

In September, Dr. Vanessa Pereira became principal of Red Bank Catholic High School.  Dr. Pereira brings with her over 30 years of experience, both in the classroom as a teacher, as a former principal in Lacey and most recently the superintendent of the Lacey Township School District. Dr. Pereira takes the lead after the retirement of principal, Karen Falco.  Dr. Pereira stood out among a list of highly-qualified candidates, and the hiring committee, comprised of teachers, administration, and alumni, overwhelmingly chose her to lead RBC in this role.  We are thrilled to welcome her to the Casey community and know she will be an amazing asset to our students and school.

Deborah Flego, Religion teacher and Campus Ministry member was named Director of Campus Ministry.  She has been an active member of Campus Ministry at Red Bank Catholic for 20 years.  Mrs. Flego has worked closely with Monsignor Joseph Rosie, first as a newly ordained priest assigned to St. James and now as the current director/pastor, as well as a great group of priests from the Diocese of Trenton over her many years at RBC and her home parish of St. James.

With the continued strong enrollment, investment in programs, and the retirement of four long-time teachers, Red Bank Catholic welcomes 14 new faculty this school year.  These new teachers come to RBC with a wealth of experience and appreciation of the Casey tradition of academic excellence.  

This past year we also continued to invest in key personnel in the Advancement office. With the continued growth in fundraising and alumni engagement activities, building the staff in this important area will ensure our ability to connect with Caseys, both current and alumni. We welcome the new Associate Director of Advancement, Cheryl Podmajersky and Advancement Coordinator, Julie Shapiro.

Caseys Achieve

The Red Bank Catholic Class of 2024 has much to celebrate and be proud of as they embark on the next chapter of their educational journey. This exceptional group of students has not only excelled academically but has also garnered numerous scholarships and secured admissions to prestigious colleges and universities across the United States, showcasing their remarkable potential and dedication. 

Out of the 171 graduates, an impressive 117 students were awarded scholarships, amounting to a total of $31,441,717. This remarkable feat is a testament to the students' hard work, talent, and commitment to their academic pursuits.

The Class of 2024 is continuing their educational journey at esteemed institutions all over the United States. Some notable destinations include the Naval Academy, Virginia Tech, University of Florida, Purdue University, Fordham, University of Notre Dame, Northeastern, Marist, Fairfield University, Auburn University, Providence College, Catholic University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University, among many others.

The Baccalaureate Mass was held on May 30, 2024 at St. Mary's Church in Middletown, celebrated by Monsignor Joe Rosie and Father Rick Osborn. Commencement followed on May 31, 2024 at Monmouth University OceanFirst Bank Center in West Long Branch. The Class of 2024 Valedictorian was Avery Hargis and the Salutatorian Megan Talbot.

Senior Reece Ryan and her family participated in the honored tradition of lighting the alumni candle. Reece is a fourth generation Casey, dating back to the Class of 1934.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024, and best wishes for a future filled with continued success and fulfillment!

read more here

Learning Enhancements

RBC Opens New 21st Century CADD, Graphic Design, and Engineering Lab Thanks to Casey Donors 

In September, RBC opened a brand new combination CADD, Graphic Design and Engineering lab space. CADD stands for Computer Aided Drawing and Design and while the school already had a dedicated CADD and Engineering labs, this new location was upgraded with the latest in computer hardware, software, and mechanical tools that now allows for simultaneous collaboration of students taking multiple courses. 

Engineering and CADD teacher Mr. Bryan Nesci ('09) is very excited about the new space. "The design and layout of the room is really focused on student creativity. The Maker Room portion of the lab will be a flex space with tools and equipment on moveable bases for students to create and collaborate on their ideas with ease," he shared. In addition to the usual woodshop tools, Nesci hopes to add more complex enhancements like a computer numerical control (CNC) machine.

The Maker Room is separated from the CADD and Graphic Design computer lab with a fully retractable wall that doubles as a teacher whiteboard. The orientation of computer workstations allows the teacher more mobility between students than a standard row/table setup. The computers have been upgraded with the latest version of SolidWorks CADD software for those classes, as well as the full Adobe Suite including Photoshop for Digital Photography and Photoshop courses. Additionally, the lab houses six three-dimensional printers with a seventh resin material printer to be added soon.  These printers are bringing student design projects to life!

Thanks to the generosity of donors from the Casey community, this construction project is fully funded. With these extraordinary gifts, Red Bank Catholic can remain at the forefront of evolving curriculum and technology without impacting tuition or fees.

Read more here

REd Bank Catholic Expands Learning Support Program with C.A.S.E.Y. time

For over twenty years, Red Bank Catholic has been committed to offering its Enhanced Learning Program for students with unique learning needs, giving them the opportunity to achieve success through individualized academic support programs, a focus on social-emotional growth, and an emphasis on strengthening executive functioning skills. In the fall of 2023, RBC expanded the program’s reach with the addition of C.A.S.E.Y Time (Can Achieve Success Every Year).

With C.A.S.E.Y Time, additional time is added before and after the regular school schedule, creatively allocated through a 0 period and a 9th period, as well as continuing to utilize the lunch period for the Lunch & Learn program. This smaller setting has enabled focused learning, free of the distractions that some students find difficult in regular class hours. Moreover, students with varying needs and anyone requiring additional help can receive tailored instruction from multiple teachers, ensuring a better grasp of the subject matter. C.A.S.E.Y Time is available to Red Bank Catholic students at no additional cost thanks to the generous leading support from Douglas and Heather Forsyth P ’21, P ’25 and Michael and Andrea Trebino ‘88, P ’17, P ‘27, P ‘27.

read more here

Red Bank Catholic Partners with Lakehouse Music Academy and Enhances Music Offerings

In the spring, Red Bank Catholic announced a new partnership with Lakehouse Music Academy.  Lakehouse moved its Red Bank location to the RBC Fine and Performing Arts Building and created remodeled soundproofed spaces for studios and individual lesson rooms in the basement.  While RBC dance remains on the second floor and fine arts on the first floor.

 
Through the partnership with Lakehouse Music, Caseys now have the opportunity to take a music production class and a band ensemble class during the school day.  Other lessons after school are open to the public. 

read more here

Caseys Put Their Faith in Action

Since its founding, faith and service has been the core values of a Red Bank Catholic education. Throughout the year, Caseys participate in class-level retreats, stations of the cross, prayer services, and school masses. And every day Caseys live their faith through service to others. You will see Caseys volunteering at LunchBreak, the Madonna House, and local food pantries. Caseys work hand-in-hand with other local high schools on the annual Ridge Road Run to promote suicide prevention. They volunteer at nursing homes, raising spirits with music or by giving manicures to elderly residents. Caseys also continue the tradition of the L.I.F.E (Living in Faith Effectively) Club with the annual Thanksgiving food drive, Birthright Baby Shower, and CROP Walk.  

Additionally this past year, students raised funds for a variety of causes including the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Team Jack.  Being a Casey means faith and service are at the forefront, today and always.

"We start with building relations among our family, our friend groups, our teams, and if we can practice what Christ teaches there, it will pour out into our classrooms, our parishes, our community and our world." - Campus Ministry Director Mrs. Deb Flego

Casey Athletics

• 2023-2024 Athletic Titles Include:

  • Football Non-Public A NJSIAA Title

  • Girls basketball Non-Public B NJSIAA Title

  • Girls soccer won the A Central Division

  • Girls basketball won the B North Division and the WOBM Christmas Tournament

  • Softball won the A Central Division

  • Numerous individual titles and recognition

RBC ranks among the best in high school sports

read more here

Caseys Take the Stage

Caseys Reunite

Once a Casey, always a Casey

Hall of Fame & Donor Recognition Cocktail Party:

Coach Montanaro Field Dedication and Alumni Football Game:

Norah Bruther's Jersey #13 Retired in Tribute Ceremony:

Alumni Social:

Young Alumni Breakfast:

click here to join us

Reunions: 

It was an honor to bring back classes across the decades of the 4’s and 9’s this year, as well as some postponed reunions!  Memories were shared while touring RBC and at reunion events.   Departed classmates were remembered during special class masses.  The impact RBC had on each of the Caseys in attendance was undeniable.  Once a Casey Always a Casey.

upcoming reunion information

Caseys Give

Financial Snapshot