About MAST

The Marine Academy of Science and Technology is a four-year college preparatory program with a thematic, research-based focus on technology and the marine sciences. Located within Gateway National Park, Sandy Hook, New Jersey, MAST is administered by the Monmouth County Vocational School District and is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology. MAST offers students the opportunity to pursue study in the fields of oceanography, and technology and engineering with a marine sciences theme, and has a military component requiring each student to participate in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC). To facilitate its mission, MAST utilizes a number of technology labs, including a state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) lab, a 3700 sq. ft. materials testing and fabrication lab, and a 65-foot research vessel, Blue Sea, which is utilized by all grade levels and sails several times each week throughout the Spring and Fall seasons. MAST also operates and conducts its own research programs out of the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, a marine research facility shared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of New Jersey, which sits directly adjacent to the MAST’s 3½-acre campus. Collectively, these resources provide a learning environment that allows for valid, meaningful scientific research using a wide variety of technologies, helping students become continuous learners with science, math, and technology skills equipped for the 21st Century.

MAST Awards

Award Recognition:

  • New Jersey State Department of Education Awards

    • NJ Governor's School of Excellence Award

    • NJ Best Practice Awards - Nine awards for exemplary educational practice

    • NJ STAR School of Excellence - Three time award winner

  • National Recognition

    • US Department of Education: New American High School Award

    • National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence – Two-time award winner, latest in 2013

    • National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc): Excellence in Action Award 2015 - Best US STEM Education Program for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography

  • Intel Schools of Distinction

    • Intel-Scholastic 21st Schools of Distinction Finalist Intel Innovation in Education

  • Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School Award: Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence 2011

  • 2016 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association: Recognized internationally for program excellence in technology and engineering.


Additional Recognition:

  • 2021 Virtual Protect Me With 3+ Awards, 3rd place (high school poster category)

  • One of ten finalists in JASON Learning and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI)’s 2021 “Recycling is Essential to My Community” Recycling Poster Contest

  • 2021 World of 7 Billion Video Competition State Finalist

  • 2021 NJ Conservation Poster Contest District Winner

  • 3rd place NJ state Envirothon Competition; 2019

  • Grants for Interactive Herbarium Program: Hipp Grant 2012, First Energy Grant 2012; Hipp Continuation Grant 2013

  • Technology Student Association (TSA) - Two 1st Place winners & Two 3rd Place winners at State Conference

    • TSA National Conference – one top ten finalist.

    • TSA Achievement Awards: 10 Gold, 12 Silver & 12 Bronze Awards

  • Ranked #16 among all NJ High Schools - US News & World Report, 2015

  • 2015 Association of New Jersey Environmental Commission Environmental Achievement Award for Interpretive Trial Signs & Biomimicry Panel Design

  • Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools accreditation for seven years 2015-2022

  • Key Club – Lieutenant Governor District 8 - Seven Distinguished Officers 2013

    • Awards: 1st Place Major Theme & Emphasis Competition

  • Cooperative mentoring with Rider University, Richard Stockton College of NJ, Georgian Court College, Monmouth University, Montclair State University, US Coast Guard, National Park Service, Clean Ocean Action, New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium

  • The Class of 2013 received approximately $ 17,861,800.00 in scholarships/academy appointments

  • Eleven National Merit Commended Scholars, One student attend American Legion Girls State

  • Grants for Biomimicry Interpretive Trail: Hipp Grant 2013

  • ITEEA NJ Program of the Year Award, 2015-16.

  • New Jersey Academy of Science two 1st Place, and two 2nd Place, one 3rd Place

  • Monmouth Junior Science Symposium one 3rd Place winner, Delaware Valley Science Fair awards: two 1st Place, three 2nd place

  • National Ocean Science Bowl 2nd Place Nationally in "Living on an Ocean Planet" video competition

  • NJ Audubon Society EcoSchool Grant Recipient 2017

  • NJ Natural Gas award for energy conservation or environmental project 2021

  • NJEA Classroom Close-Up three shows: Interactive Herbarium Sequence 1, After Sandy Sequence 2 and MAST Graduation Sequence # 3

  • NJEA Classroom Close-Up Award: MAST was chosen as representatives for the 20th Anniversary of the NJ Envirothon Competition they took 1st Place in soil conservation.

  • NJEA Classroom Close-Up: Biomimicry Interpretive Trail (2014), STEM Capstone (2018)

  • NJTEEA Program of the Year Award, 2015-16.

  • New Jersey’s Top Performing High Schools

  • New Jersey’s Top Performing Vocational Schools

  • Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grant recipient 2021