By: Scott Corbett/Principal

Our mission at Ocean Academy is to foster a collaborative environment and develop active and creative minds.  We utilize the arts as a primary tool to accomplish our goals. The movement started four years ago when local artist from the Ocean County Artist Guild began using our hallways as gallery space.   Community collaboration and the arts have transformed the climate of Ocean Academy and the lives of staff and students alike.  Over the last four years we have been supported by the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, Kula Kamala Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, NJPSA/FEA, Count Basie Theater, MindALIGNED, LakeHouse Music Academy, many local artists, businesses, and now the talented students of Georgian Court University.

Last year, I had the privilege of being a guest speaker for Dr. Gemma Brennan at GCU.  I was greeted by Rebecca Scharen, sitting on a desk playing a ukulele and singing an original song about the Barnegat Bay.  After class Rebecca and a group of students approached me about an Arts Festival they had been planning to honor Ocean Academy and further enhance the arts infusion program and lives of our students

On April 21, 2018 the student committee successfully orchestrated the “Restart the Arts Festival” at GCU while finishing the most difficult semester in college and being full time student teachers.  The festival was a culmination of visual art, dance, drama, and music that had positive vibes lasting into the night.  Ocean Academy was introduced to many talented artist and musicians at the festival and we are looking forward to collaborating with them in the future.  Dean DeCapua was thrilled to share that the entire Restart the Arts committee passed their Praxis (state teacher exam); all while successfully giving back to the community. As a proud GCU alumni and an educational leader, I’m confident in the next generation of educators.  Thank you for the honoring Ocean Academy and highlighting the power of the Arts.