In January 2021, the Diocese announced it was closing Trenton Catholic Academy due to the Diocese’s further financial consolidation.
Thereafter, a group of Alumni sought to continue Catholic quality education for the soon-to-be displaced students. In March 2021, Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc., was created to provide Catholic education, but as a private, independent school, managed by a Board of Trustees, dedicated to providing outstanding academics, and a safe home where every student can thrive and succeed. 

Despite the name changes, the school mascot remains the Iron Mike, paying homage to the tough man with the soft heart who made this school possible. TCPA carries on Monsignor McCorristin’s dream to enrich students’ lives through an affordable and quality Catholic education.

Located on a beautiful, quiet 64-acre campus in suburban Hamilton, NJ, Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc. is a PreK-12 school. With a demanding preparatory curriculum, TCPA prepares a universal population to succeed now, in college and beyond.

Our academy is leading the way with outstanding academics, first-rate Robotics and STEM education, Project Lead The Way programs, High School Esports League, FIRST Lego League, developing championship sports teams, and providing a safe and inclusive environment, while also embracing service, diversity, and acceptance for all.

We are anticipating a 100% graduation rate in the upper school and we are projecting over $3.5 million in college scholarships and grants to be given to our students. 

The Upper and Lower Schools are located in separate wings connected by a corridor. Students share a chapel, gymnasium and cafeteria.

Competitive athletic teams play in top-notch facilities. The gymnasium, baseball, track & field, and soccer fields have received extensive renovations over the last five years. 

Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc. is a NJ Not for Profit Corporation and all donations go directly to the school. To make a tax-deductible donation go to IronMikesFund.com. 
Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Join the Home of the Iron Mikes Today! Iron Mikes Strong! 

Mission
The mission of Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy Inc. is to educate a diverse PreK-12 student body to be responsible citizens of a global society through a challenging and relevant curriculum centered in Catholic traditions and values.

Service
Students thrive where respect, responsibility and reverence live. As part of a Catholic community, TCPA provides opportunities for students to experience and understand the joy of reaching out to serve others in peace, justice and love.

Service is performed within the school community. Some activities include helping teachers, organizing fundraisers, collecting items for causes like hurricane relief, our military and food for the Mt. Carmel Guild. In addition, handmade cards from the lower school students have touched the hearts of many elderly veterans throughout the area. 

Service assignments can also be very hands-on. Students may serve food at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, visit the elderly in assisted living and donate blood.

While mandatory service requirements exist for each year of high school, many students go beyond their minimum hours as volunteerism becomes an ingrained habit for life. Compassion and dedication are part of the real-life lessons that they learn while serving and giving to others and these lessons will last a lifetime.

In 1962 the all-boys Trenton Catholic High School announced it would close its doors. Concerned for the academic and spiritual future of area youth, Monsignor Michael P. McCorristin, pastor of St. Anthony Parish, petitioned Bishop George Ahr of the Diocese of Trenton, to build a new parish high school in Hamilton. Through his vision and the hard work of many, St. Anthony High School was built on the grounds of the former Kuser Estate. In 1965, the first graduating class received their diplomas from the newly established, St. Anthony High School.

To staff the new school, Monsignor McCorristin employed the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who along with lay teachers, educated thousands of students in the Trenton and Hamilton area. In 1979, Bishop Ahr renamed the building, McCorristin Catholic High School in honor of Monsignor McCorristin for his dedication to the students and their families.

In 2005, following a study of area parochial schools, the Diocese of Trenton consolidated four Catholic elementary schools, Holy Cross School, Holy Angels School, Immaculate Conception School and St. Anthony Grammar School with McCorristin Catholic High School to create Trenton Catholic Academy. Sister Dorothy Payne, SSJ, who had previously served in the Office of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Trenton, was named President of the Academy and remained at the helm of the school until her death in 2019. 

In January 2021, the Diocese announced it was closing Trenton Catholic Academy due to the Diocese’s further financial consolidation. Thereafter, a group of Alumni sought to continue Catholic quality education for the soon-to-be displaced students. In March 2021, Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc., was created to provide Catholic education, but as a private, independent school, managed by a Board of Trustees, dedicated to providing outstanding academics, and a safe home where every student can strive and succeed. 

Despite the name changes, the school mascot remains the Iron Mike, paying homage to the tough man with the soft heart who made this school possible. TCPA carries on Monsignor McCorristin’s dream to enrich students’ lives through an affordable and quality Catholic education.

Margaret Flood, President
Paul Pennacchi, Secretary
Denise Viola, Treasurer
Tracey Destribats, Trustee
John Rittley, Trustee