Marine Academy of Science and Technology

What Marine Academy of Science and Technology does

Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) is a public four-year college-preparatory career academy located within the Fort Hancock Historic Area at the tip of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, on a 3.5-acre campus of 13 renovated buildings adjacent to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and NOAA's James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, inside Gateway National Recreation Area. The school is administered by the Monmouth County Vocational School District (founded 1981) and serves high-achieving Monmouth County students in Grades 9-12 through a marine sciences and technology curriculum supported by a Marine Biology Laboratory, Oceanography Laboratory, CAD Laboratory, Multi-Media Laboratory, Marine Technology Workshop, Media Center, Chemistry and Physics Laboratories, and a 65-foot research vessel (R/V Blue Sea) that sails weekly during spring and fall seasons for hands-on field research. All students participate in the NJROTC program, which has earned the Distinguished Unit With Academic Honors designation 41 times and feeds service-academy and ROTC scholarship pipelines (e.g., approximately $17,861,800 in scholarships and academy appointments reported for the Class of 2013). Coursework spans a Marine Biology–Marine Chemistry–Marine Physics–Oceanography sequence, a technology progression culminating in a Senior Capstone, and dual-enrollment college credit through Syracuse University Project Advance, Brookdale Community College, Stockton College, and Kean University.

The school's business model is non-commercial: as a public vocational academy, MAST charges no tuition and is funded through Monmouth County Vocational School District public tax revenue and government educational allocations. The go-to-market motion is a selective admissions funnel — prospective families must attend a 90-minute mandatory in-person information session on the Sandy Hook campus to receive an eligibility confirmation form, after which they apply through the MCVSD Embark portal for a limited number of seats (with 10th-grade admission only when openings exist). MAST has no external investors, no subsidiaries, no disclosed operating revenue, and no AI/ML capability layer; its competitive position rests on unique physical assets, regulatory designation, and a multi-decade record of national recognitions including the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (two-time winner), NASDCTEc Excellence in Action Award, and Intel Schools of Distinction.

Name

Marine Academy of Science and Technology

Legal name

Marine Academy of Science & Technology

Website

https://mast.mcvsd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MAST is a public four-year college-prep career academy in Sandy Hook, NJ, serving Monmouth County high school students with a marine sciences and technology curriculum, NJROTC program, NOAA-adjacent labs, and a 65-foot research vessel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialized STEM Secondary Education (Marine Sciences)

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) & Officer Candidate Schools (OCS/OTS) (EDAHAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA), Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Test Facilities (IMAJABAN)

Keywords

• Marine science education
• STEM high school
• NJROTC program
• College preparatory academy
• Marine technology curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Highlands

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: As a public school within the Monmouth County Vocational School District, MAST is funded through public tax revenue and government educational allocations rather than direct tuition fees from students.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MAST is a four-year college preparatory career academy that delivers college-preparatory STEM education with a specialized focus on marine sciences, marine technology, and engineering to high school students (grades 9-12). The program combines classroom instruction in marine biology, marine chemistry, marine physics, oceanography, CAD technology, and naval science with hands-on research using a 65-foot research vessel (R/V Blue Sea), specialized laboratories, and NOAA's James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory. All students participate in the mandatory NJROTC program and have access to dual enrollment college credits through partnerships with Syracuse University, Brookdale Community College, Stockton College, and Kean University.

Product overview

The Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) is a four-year college preparatory career academy focused on marine sciences and marine technology and engineering. The institution operates as a unified educational program combining classroom instruction with extensive hands-on facilities including specialized laboratories (Marine Biology, Oceanography, CAD, Multi-Media, Marine Technology Workshop), science laboratories (Chemistry and Physics), a Media Center, and a 65-foot research vessel (R/V Blue Sea). The curriculum is organized as a platform of interconnected academic programs spanning Naval Science, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, and Technology, with specialized sequences like Marine Biology-Chemistry-Physics-Oceanography at the core. All students participate in the NJROTC program and complete a Senior Capstone Experience. Students can earn college credit through AP courses, Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA), Brookdale Community College, and Stockton College partnerships. The institution also maintains partnerships with NOAA's James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory and various universities for research opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marine Biology Laboratory Facility Laboratory facility for the study of marine biology, biochemistry, cellular biology, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, and marine ecology as part of the 9th grade curriculum at MAST.
• Oceanography Laboratory Facility Research laboratory for the study of marine chemistry, marine physics, plate tectonics, marine ecology, and marine geology as part of the senior Oceanography course at MAST.
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) Laboratory State-of-the-art computer laboratory for freshman technology education where students learn design and drafting software skills at MAST.
• Multi-Media Laboratory Facility Laboratory facility supporting multimedia education and digital content creation across various subject areas at MAST.
• Marine Technology Workshop Facility Workshop facility for hands-on marine technology projects and prototyping, including a 3,700 sq. ft. materials testing and fabrication lab at MAST.
• Media Center with Computer Classroom Library and computer classroom facility providing electronic database access, research resources, and technology for student use at MAST.
• Chemistry and Physics Laboratories Science laboratories for Marine Chemistry (10th grade) and Marine Physics (11th grade) coursework, including AP Physics courses at MAST.
• R/V Blue Sea 65-foot Research Vessel 65-foot research vessel utilized by all grade levels that sails several times each week during Spring and Fall seasons for hands-on marine research including fish stock assessments, water quality testing, and oceanographic research at MAST.
• Marine Biology Course (9th grade) 9th grade 10-credit course covering biochemistry, cellular biology, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, and marine classification with field work aboard R/V Blue Sea at MAST.
• Marine Chemistry Course (10th grade) 10th grade 10-credit course covering chemical reactions, atomic structures, acids and bases, with water quality testing and plankton analysis aboard R/V Blue Sea at MAST.
• Marine Physics Course (11th grade) 11th grade 10-credit course studying motion, momentum, properties of light, optics, sound, waves, and motion of the ocean including NYC bridge design trips at MAST.
• Oceanography Course (Senior) Senior 5-credit course offered for college credit through Brookdale Community College, Stockton College, or AP designation, covering marine chemistry, physics, plate tectonics, ecology, and geology at MAST.
• Environmental Science Course (Senior) Senior 5-credit course examining environmental problems, sustainability, ecosystems, and water/air pollution; available for dual enrollment college credit at MAST.
• AP Physics Courses Advanced Placement physics courses including AP Physics C (calculus-based mechanics) and AP Physics 2 (algebraic-based topics including thermodynamics and electromagnetism) at MAST.
• Naval Science / NJROTC Program Four-year Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program required for all students, covering citizenship, leadership, naval history, maritime traditions, and military skills at MAST.
• Spanish Language Program (Levels I-V) World language program teaching Castilian Spanish with levels I-V at MAST, where upper levels (IV and V) offer college credit opportunities.
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) Technology Course Freshman technology course focusing on technological literacy, design software proficiency, and problem-based learning using CAD tools at MAST.
• Computer Applications and Manufacturing Processes (CAMP) Course Sophomore technology course exposing students to computer applications including Arduino, Python, ArcGIS, Adobe Illustrator, and Makerbot software, combined with material processing in a shop environment at MAST.
• Systems Engineering Course Junior elective engineering course allowing students to apply skills from prior coursework to solve engineering design problems using research, documentation, and evaluation methods at MAST.
• Senior Capstone Experience 12th grade project-based course requiring students to integrate K-12 subject matter to design and develop solutions to design problems, available in Engineering, Marine Research, or blended focus areas at MAST.
• Drill Team / Color Guard Competition Program Competition team of approximately 80 cadets participating in drill meets throughout Area 2 and community parades at MAST, with recent Area 2 Championship win in 2025.
• Academics Competition Team Academic competition team ranked 4th in the nation for Navy teams at Joint Leadership and Academic Bowl Nationals in 2024 and 2025 at MAST.
• Key Club Community service and leadership organization with officers and district involvement, advisor-supported student club at MAST.
• National Honor Society Academic honor society recognizing student achievement and providing service opportunities at MAST, with dedicated website and advisor support.
• Technology Student Association (TSA) Competition-based technology student organization at MAST with multiple state-level winners and national conference qualifiers.
• Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) Dual Enrollment Dual enrollment partnership providing college credits through Syracuse University Project Advance, allowing MAST students to earn college credits in American History (HST 101 and HST 102), Multivariable Calculus, and SUPA History courses with access to Syracuse University Library.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAST shares the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory with NOAA and the State of New Jersey. The facility sits directly adjacent to MAST's 3.5-acre campus, enabling collaborative marine research programs where students work with visiting NOAA scientists on research including mapping using side scan sonar, ichthyoplankton identification, and fish population dynamics studies.
• Syracuse UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership providing college credits through Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA). Students can earn college credits in American History (HST 101 and HST 102), Multivariable Calculus, and SUPA History courses. Students also gain access to Syracuse University Library system.
• Brookdale Community CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership allowing students to earn college credits through Brookdale Community College. Students can take Oceanography and Environmental Science courses for college credit.
• Richard Stockton College of New JerseymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership providing dual enrollment opportunities. Students can earn college credits through Stockton College for Environmental Science and Oceanography courses.
• Kean UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual enrollment partnership through Kean University for 3 college credits. Students can take Modern Humanity and Genocide Studies course for college credit.
• Monmouth UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership where visiting scientists from Monmouth University collaborate with students aboard the research vessel Blue Sea for research projects including side scan sonar mapping and fish population dynamics.
• Montclair State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership providing mentorship and educational support for students.
• Georgian Court UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership where visiting scientists from Georgian Court University work with students aboard the research vessel Blue Sea for marine research and studies.
• Rutgers UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership. NJROTC cadets visited Rutgers NROTC program for informational sessions about scholarship process and midshipman life. Rutgers NROTC staff and midshipmen provide guidance on ROTC scholarship applications.
• US Coast GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership providing mentorship, career exploration, and research collaboration opportunities. Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook personnel participate in Annual Military Inspection as inspectors.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership with National Park Service. MAST is located within Gateway National Recreation Area, and NPS provides access to facilities and educational resources within the park.
• Clean Ocean ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership providing environmental education and ocean conservation advocacy opportunities.
• New Jersey Marine Sciences ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative mentoring partnership providing marine sciences education resources and collaboration opportunities.
• Christian Brothers AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAST Color Guard attended Dinner for the Troops at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ, honoring Army First Lieutenant Dennis W. Zilinski II. MAST presented a $1,870 check donation to the memorial fund.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics & Engineering Technologies: New Jersey county vocational STEM academy sharing MAST's county-funded public magnet structure, selective admissions, and college-preparatory STEM mission with specialized laboratory focus.
• Communications High School: MCVSD sister academy specializing in communications/media, sharing identical application process, governance, and public-vocational funding structure with MAST.
• Bergen County Academies: Selective New Jersey public STEM magnet with multiple career-focused academies (science, engineering, medical). Comparable in selectivity, dual-enrollment offerings, and STEM career-academy positioning.
• High Technology High School: Sister school within the Monmouth County Vocational School District. Both are public four-year STEM career academies sharing the same admissions portal, governance, and funding model, with HTHS focused on technology/engineering versus MAST's marine sciences focus.
• Academy of Allied Health & Science: MCVSD sister school with the same county-vocational structure and selective admissions process, focused on health sciences. Operates with the same funding and governance model as MAST.
• Biotechnology High School: Another MCVSD sister academy offering a four-year STEM career-track program with similar application process, dual-enrollment options, and competitive admissions. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and target families.
• Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut: Public magnet high school with a thematic focus on marine sciences, field-research vessels, and coastal ecosystem studies. The most direct national peer to MAST's marine sciences + research-vessel model.

Broad incumbents

• Brooklyn Technical High School: Large New York City public STEM career-academy high school with multiple themed majors including engineering/technology. Comparable college-prep STEM specialization model, though at significantly larger scale.
• Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology: Nationally recognized public STEM magnet serving grades 9-12 with rigorous college-prep science/tech focus and research opportunities. Larger scale and broader scope than MAST, but comparable STEM-magnet mission and outcomes profile.

Emerging players

• High School for Environmental Studies (NYC): Public NYC high school focused on environmental and marine sciences with fieldwork and partner research opportunities. Shares MAST's environmental/marine thematic focus but with broader public-school admissions rather than selective.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MAST_SandyHook
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/mast_mcvsd/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRm519leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFDZWFpQncwSkk2TjZUZGs2c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQBMAABHgiKysLFmn0EKyUl1M32Br6PWEwgpi_IwvmnX7RqhALycTiVrJix9RTWyeBu_aem_YN9u8KuNJ2A0Fe7y4yRi7g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/marine-academy-of-science-and-technology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marine Academy of Science and Technology