Featuring...The Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Science

The marine environment is the basis for a unique high school program, open to students in Ocean County.  The Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) started as a 'shared time" program in 1994, which became the building block for the full time Academy that is part of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS).

The MATES Academy, for students in grades 9 through 12, is a comprehensive high school program developed around the marine and environmental science theme.  All the required academic subjects for high school graduation, driven by the New  Jersey Core Curriculum Standards, are part of the program.

The opportunity for participation in externships in laboratories, fieldwork, and industry is made available to students during junior and senior year.  Students are eligible to take college level courses as high school seniors, and are prepared to enter undergraduate college programs at four year colleges.

To expand on their classroom and laboratory learning, MATES students are active in their communities, gaining valuable hands-on experiences and leading and participating in programs with organizations, such as COA.  Each October, MATES students are peer educators at COA’s Fall Student Summit at Island Beach State Park.  At the Summit, MATES students teach middle school students from central and south Jersey about the marine environment, leading them in scientific observations, experiments, and discussions.  MATES students also are active participants in COA’s Beach Sweeps twice each year.

The MATES Academy is housed in the OCVTS building in Toms River and plans for a new state of the art building for the Academy are finalized, but a site is pending.  For more information about the MATES Academy and how to apply, call 732.473.3100 extension 3065, or email Mates@mail.ocvts.org.

Adapted from OCVTS website.