A Message from the Principal

Thank you for visiting our website and please, take some time to look around. Keep up to date with the Seraph family by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Mater Dei Prep is an independent Catholic college preparatory high school that focuses on developing each student’s spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being in accordance with Roman Catholic tradition. Our curriculum will challenge each learner on an individual level, offer duel enrollment at the collegiate level and provide opportunities in both the co-curricular and athletic arenas.

 

All students can engage in hands-on experiences through our innovative Career PREParation Tracks. Our Health Sciences track provides students dual enrollment opportunities with the Rutgers Health Sciences Program taught by Dr. Kovacs, an RU faculty adjunct. Our Fine and Performing Arts track offers art courses, instrumental instruction and our award-winning theatre arts program. The Technology track includes IT classes, the Robotics Club, and the ability for students to create various items using our MakerSpace lab. The Law and Government track affords students preparation for careers in law enforcement and public service.  And our Global Leaders track, provides unique opportunities for our students to participate in and lead workshops at the United Nations in New York City. 

Our school is a small, family community made up of caring teachers, staff and administrators. We invite future Seraph parents to stop by for a visit. Your child is welcome to experience Mater Dei Prep firsthand with our “Shadow a Seraph” for a day experience.

 

With prayers for you and yours,

 

Debra Serafin

Principal

Debra Serafin brings a wealth of experience to Mater Dei Prep. She was a professional educator with 35 years combined experience as a teacher, building level supervisor, assistant principal and district level supervisor for curriculum and instruction. Mrs. Serafin graduated from Rutgers University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in education. She furthered her education by receiving a master’s degree in business administration from Monmouth College in 1991 and continued in the doctoral program of educational leadership at Rowan University in 2010.

Throughout her years as a school administrator with Freehold Regional and North Brunswick Township High School districts she has written numerous grants to improve programs for teachers and students; developed a freshman academy, teacher advisory and peer leadership program to foster school community and relationships; piloted the New Jersey Department of Education Personalized Student Learning Plans program that provided students with an educational plan for success; and researched, developed and implemented a virtual high school on-line credit recovery and summer school program.

As a visionary leader, Debra has been instrumental in being a change agent in school districts by facilitating secondary school reform initiatives and implementing new courses and programs to address the growing needs of students.

Upon retiring from public education in December 2012, Debra joined the team of educational trainers at the New Jersey Foundation for Educational Administration. Through a grant received by FEA, she was a facilitator/trainer in low-performing school districts to enhance leadership capacity. Mrs. Serafin also worked as the Director of Financial Educational Services with Innovative Wealth Partners in Manasquan and as a real estate agent with Keller Williams.