Our History

Ocean Day School was founded in 1982. The need for early literacy education, full-day kindergarten, and an affordable alternative to public and parochial school was realized. Ocean Day School opened its first facility in the Cross River Mill Professional Center in Lakewood. The school opened with forty-five students in kindergarten through third grade in a six-room space. Two administrators taught the kindergarten and first grades. One additional teacher comprised the first faculty.

By 1986, the school expanded to include Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade relocating to North Lake Drive, next to Georgian Court University within the Christ United Methodist Church complex. In 2007, the school moved to Hope Chapel Road on the Jackson/Lakewood border. On November 1, 2011 Ocean Day School returned to the classrooms in Christ United Methodist Church complex, where they were welcome with open arms and hearts.

Our Present

Today, the teachers of Ocean Day School facilitate learning in departmentalized classes of no more than ten children. Presently, the administrator/Principal, the highly qualified state certified teachers, and support staff of Ocean Day School work together with the assistance of work-study students from Georgian Court University, who serve as interns. Additionally, special certified teachers work individually or in small groups with children requiring remedial instruction in reading, writing, math, speech articulation, language development, and English as a second language. If needed, eligible students receive full child study team services on site, provided by Tree of Knowledge, an educational vendor contracted through the Lakewood Board of Education. Academically Gifted and Talented children enjoy an accelerated program as part of our unique cross-grading policy.

Year of Community Service

Trike-a-Thon for Saint Jude's Children's Research

Clothing drive for Big Brother and Big Sisters of Ocean County

Winter Coat Drive for Church of St. Mary of the Lake, Lakewood

Thanksgiving Food Drive for Christ United Methodist Church, Lakewood

Upcoming...

National Wear Red Day for the American Heart Association

Jump Rope / Hoops for Heart for the American Heart Association