History

St.. James Catholic School (SJS) in Basking Ridge, New Jersey is a co-ed Catholic elementary school located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen serving students in grades Pre-k through eight. Students come from more than a dozen towns in four surrounding counties. Founded in a carriage house, SJS is currently celebrating our 40th milestone year in our current building. The original structure was expanded in 1990 as SJS began to expand the program to two classes per grade level. The campus includes the St. James School Early Childhood Learning Center, which opened its doors in 2003. Today the pre-k program provides classes for three-year old and four-year old children to approximately 100 students. The faculty and staff of 45 full and part time employees led by our administration serve a total student population of 421. Faculty members hold NJ state certification or its equivalent from another state. Several possess advanced degrees and all our teachers pursue professional development opportunities for both academic and spiritual growth.

The curriculum allows us to provide a rich and challenging academic environment. The curriculum follows the guidelines set by the Diocese of Metuchen, which is the New Jersey State Core Curriculum. SJS teaches the state's curriculum through the lens of our Catholic faith and values, as the school’s mission statement clearly reveals the goal is to develop Christ-centered academic excellence in all students. Here at St. James School, strong emphasis is placed on basic skills, as we believe that an excellent foundation is essential to each student’s future success. The academic offerings include Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Religion, and three Foreign Languages- French, Italian and Spanish. Additionally, classes are offered in Computer, Art, Music, Physical Education and Health. Integration of the arts of language- reading, writing, listening and speaking- permeates all content areas. SJS employs the tools of technology to enhance and enrich the curriculum. Students in our Middle School are provided with a research class each week- staffed by the computer teacher, school librarian and one middle school instructor- where they work to further develop their skills. Major subject teachers require a written project on a rotating monthly schedule. Students in the middle school also choose an elective course offered once a week through our Expanding Horizons electives program. This year the electives offerings include Forensics, Academic Team, Chorus, Yearbook, Service Club, Home Economics and ISMs, a study of political systems. Instrumental music classes are provided on campus by an outside vendor.

Each year, a majority of the graduating class receive acceptance to prestigious private and Catholic high schools including Delbarton, Mt. St. Mary Academy, Oaknoll, Villa Walsh, Pingry, Seton Hall Preparatory School and Immaculata. SJS students are consistently placed in honors and advanced placement classes in both the public and private schools. St. James graduates have been the recipients of academic scholarships to many of these schools.

Approximately one-half of the students are transported to school by bus. After school care is available. The cafeteria offers the option of purchasing a hot lunch daily. The Somerset County Visiting Nurse Association provides a full-time nurse for SJS students. The Bernards Township Police Department provides the DARE- Drug Awareness and Resistance Education Program for the fifth and seventh graders. St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick provides instructors for the Project Respect program to students in junior high.

The mission of St. James School is to develop Christ-centered academic excellence and the entire St. James School community shares in this mission. SJS is blessed with an active and supportive Home School Association that works closely with the school administration to organize events and raise funds. The pastor offers unwavering support to our school both as a faculty member in the Middle School foreign language department and with the financial support of the parish. The School Advisory Committee shares the school’s vision for the future expansion of school facilities.