848-308-1905Avoid Surgery and Reduce Pain with
Advanced Knee Pain Treatment in Middletown, NJ
Are you experiencing knee pain symptoms such as popping, clicking, bone-on-bone grinding, achiness, or sharp stabs? You're not alone in this journey. Knee pain affects nearly 25% of adults in the United States, causing discomfort, swelling, and chronic pain that can hinder everyday activities like childcare, walking, and exercise. Shockingly, recent statistics from The American Academy of Family Physicians indicate a 65% increase in diagnosed knee pain cases.
In a world where invasive surgeries and prescription painkillers are often the default solutions, it's crucial to explore the effective non-invasive options that are available. These alternative treatments provide relief without the associated risks of surgery.
Today, many doctors still recommend invasive surgeries and prescription painkillers rather than exploring non-invasive options. While those treatments are needed in some circumstances, there are alternative treatments available that can help you overcome knee pain without needing to go under the knife.
NJ Sports Spine and Wellness' advanced knee pain treatment in Middletown, NJ gives men and women suffering from knee pain hope. Instead of relying on surgery, our team of doctors and physical therapists use non-invasive, highly effective treatments to help heal prevalent conditions such as:
Arthritis
Soft tissue injury
ACL tears
MCL tears
Patella dislocation
Misalignment of the kneecap
Patella tendonitis
Jumper's knee
Osgood Schlatter's Disease
Knee
With the right treatment,
many people can reduce their pain and improve their function, allowing them to return to normal daily activities. Plus, by taking preventative measures and seeking prompt care from our team, it's possible to reduce your risk of developing chronic knee pain and other painful knee conditions. If you've been searching for a non-invasive way to eliminate knee pain and get back to an active life, your journey to recovery starts here.
Let's take a closer look at some of the knee pain treatments available at NJ Sports Spine and Wellness, which all serve as great alternatives to knee replacement surgery.
Physical Therapy:
Optimizing Musculoskeletal Health with Conservative Care
The field of Physical Therapy (PT) aims to rehabilitate individuals who have experienced injury, illness, or disability by restoring their mobility and function. Physical therapists cater to patients of various ages and capabilities, ranging from young athletes to senior citizens, in order to help them surpass physical limitations and improve their standard of living with advanced knee pain treatment in Middletown, NJ.
At NJ Sports Spine and Wellness, our physical therapy program was founded on a patient-centric philosophy, where physical therapists work closely with patients to get a deep understanding of their goals, preferences, and capabilities. In doing so, they can create a tailor-made treatment strategy to address their unique knee pain with the goal of avoiding a knee replacement. Treatment may involve exercises that are therapeutic in nature and can include:
Joint mobilizations
Soft tissue mobilization using cupping
Graston technique
Soft tissue massage
Stretching of associated muscle groups
Joint Mobilization for Knee Pain
This unique knee pain solution involves physical therapists using skilled manual therapy techniques to help improve your joint range of motion while simultaneously reducing your knee pain.
During joint mobilization, a physical therapist applies targeted pressures or forces to a joint in specific directions to improve its mobility. The intensity of the force applied can vary, and it is adjusted based on the patient's comfort level. Joint mobilization is generally pain-free.
STM
Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM)
Soft Tissue Mobilization is a manual therapy technique that involves stretching and applying deep pressure to rigid muscle tissue. This helps to relax muscle tension and move fluids that are trapped in the tissues that cause pain and inflammation. This effective form of physical therapy is often used as an advanced knee pain treatment in Middletown, NJ for treating knee strains, knee sprains, knee pain, and more.
Graston
The Graston Technique
The Graston Technique involves the use of handheld instruments to identify and break up scar tissue through specialized massage. During a Graston Technique session, physical therapists use convex and concave tools for cross-friction massage, which involves rubbing or brushing against the grain of the scar tissue. This process re-introduces small amounts of trauma to the affected area. In some cases, this process temporarily causes inflammation, which can actually boost the amount and rate of blood flow in the knee. This process helps initiate and promote the healing process so you can get back to a normal life.
Massage
Soft Tissue Massage
Soft tissue massage is a less intense form of massage than it's deep-tissue relative. Instead of focusing on slow and firm strokes to reach the deep layers of muscles and tissues, this massage technique uses a variety of pressures, depths, and durations. Soft tissue massage is helpful in alleviating different types of knee aches, pains, and injuries. Soft tissue massages can also help reduce stress, improve circulation, and promote relaxation.
Advanced Mechanics and Technology:
The Future of Knee Pain Therapy
While knee pain is a common symptom that affects millions of Americans every year, no two cases of knee pain are ever exactly alike. Some types of knee injuries require non-traditional solutions. At New Jersey Sports Spine and Wellness, we offer a range of treatments that leverage mechanics and technology to help patients recover from injuries while treating inflammation and pain as well as resolve the root cause of the pain.
Alter® Anti-Gravity Treadmill
The Alter® Anti-Gravity Treadmill is equipped with NASA Differential Air Pressure (DAP) technology, which is a precise air calibration system that uses the user's actual body weight to enhance rehabilitation and training. By utilizing a pressurized air chamber, the AlterG allows patients and athletes to move without any pain or restrictions.
This advanced knee pain treatment in Middletown, NJ uniformly reduces gravitational load and body weight up to 80% in precise 1% increments. The results can be incredible, with patients reporting benefits such as:
- Restoring and building of knee strength
- Restored range of motion in the knee
- Better balance
- Improved knee function
- More
What Makes the Alter® Anti-Gravity Treadmill So Effective?
The Alter® Anti-Gravity Treadmill can monitor various metrics such as speed, gait pattern, stride length, and weight distribution. With real-time feedback and video monitoring, your rehabilitation team can promptly and accurately identify issues and pain points or monitor your progress throughout your knee pain rehabilitation journey.
One of the key benefits of this cutting-edge equipment is that it replicates natural walking and movement patterns without the artificial feel that hydrotherapy or harnesses create. This makes it an excellent choice for faster recovery after knee injuries or surgeries, as it allows for early mobilization while also preserving strength. Furthermore, it is ideal for sports recovery as athletes can use it for physical conditioning maintenance.
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Our advanced treatment modalities for knee pain include laser therapy, which harnesses the revolutionary power of light through photobiomodulation (PBM). LiteCure™ low-level laser therapy is available for acute and chronic types of knee pain and can be hugely beneficial when coupled with physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, and sports recovery care.
Understanding Photobiomodulation (PBM)
PBM is a medical treatment that harnesses the power of light to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities. The photons from the light penetrate deep into the tissue and interact with mitochondria, which results in a boost in energy production. This interaction sets off a biological chain reaction that increases cellular metabolism. Utilizing low-level light therapy has been shown to:
- Alleviate knee pain
- Speed up tissue healing
- Promote overall health and wellness
- Expedite knee pain injury recovery
Exclusive Access to
Pain Management Professionals
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, we know that every patient requires a personalized approach to chronic knee pain and condition management. Sometimes, our patients need access to pain management professionals, who can offer relief in conjunction with physical therapy and other solutions like low-level laser therapy.
Two of the most common services we offer for pain management includes acupuncture which can assist in avoiding knee replacement surgery.
-
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a common treatment
-
What Happens During Acupuncture Therapy
for Knee Pain?
-
Is Acupuncture Actually Effective for
Knee Pain?
Acupuncture is a common treatment for knee pain that involves inserting thin needles into specific points in your knee. This ancient Chinese medicine has gained popularity in Western culture due to its effectiveness in treating various conditions with minimal side effects.
Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system to release various biochemicals, including endorphins and other neurotransmitters. The release of these chemicals helps to reduce inflammation, decrease pain perception, and improve overall blood circulation.
Multiple studies have shown that acupuncture can be effective in treating knee pain caused by a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis and injuries related to physical activity like running. Acupuncture can also help reduce inflammation, improve muscle function, and decrease pain perception, making it a viable treatment on its own or as an addition to traditional treatment methods like physical therapy.
When undergoing acupuncture, a professional acupuncturist will insert thin needles into specific acupoints on the skin. These needles are left in place for roughly 20 to 30 minutes and may be gently stimulated for an enhanced effect. Patients might experience a slight tingle or warmth at the needle insertion site, but overall, acupuncture is considered a painless procedure.
Acupuncture has been a trusted and effective treatment option for thousands of years. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture as a legitimate form of healthcare, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has even funded research studies to explore its efficacy for a range of medical conditions. To learn more about acupuncture for knee pain, contact NJSSW today.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a common treatment for knee pain that involves inserting thin needles into specific points in your knee. This ancient Chinese medicine has gained popularity in Western culture due to its effectiveness in treating various conditions with minimal side effects.
Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system to release various biochemicals, including endorphins and other neurotransmitters. The release of these chemicals helps to reduce inflammation, decrease pain perception, and improve overall blood circulation.
Multiple studies have shown that acupuncture can be effective in treating knee pain caused by a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis and injuries related to physical activity like running. Acupuncture can also help reduce inflammation, improve muscle function, and decrease pain perception, making it a viable treatment on its own or as an addition to traditional treatment methods like physical therapy.
What Happens During Acupuncture Therapy for Knee Pain?
When undergoing acupuncture, a professional acupuncturist will insert thin needles into specific acupoints on the skin. These needles are left in place for roughly 20 to 30 minutes and may be gently stimulated for an enhanced effect. Patients might experience a slight tingle or warmth at the needle insertion site, but overall, acupuncture is considered a painless procedure.
Is Acupuncture Actually Effective for Knee Pain?
Acupuncture has been a trusted and effective treatment option for thousands of years. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture as a legitimate form of healthcare, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has even funded research studies to explore its efficacy for a range of medical conditions. To learn more about acupuncture for knee pain, contact NJSSW today.
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Avoid Knee Replacements with Advanced Knee Pain Treatment in Middletown, NJ
When it comes to knee pain therapies and treatments, getting a knee replacement should be last on your list. Why put your body through such trauma if you haven't tried other non-invasive treatment options? Whether you're an athlete trying to work through a knee injury or you're over 65 and are dealing with osteoarthritis, NJ Sports Spine and Wellness can help.
It all starts with an introductory consultation at our office in Matawan or Marlboro. During your first visit, we'll talk to you about your knee pain symptoms, the goals you have in mind, and the advanced knee pain treatments available to you at our practice. From there, it's only a matter of time before you get back to a healthy, active lifestyle.
Every day you wait can worsen your knee condition. Contact us today and let our team help get you on the road to recovery and life with painful knees.
Latest News in Middletown, NJ
We're Exhausting Every Possibility, Superintendent Says At Budget Hearing Monday
patch.comhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/middletown-superintendent-we-are-exhausting-every-budget-possibility
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Middletown schools superintendent Jessica Alfone started off Monday night's public budget meeting by saying:"We have had a lot of productive conversations over the last several days and those discussions are continuing to happen in small groups with the Board of Education and the administrative team. We are exhausting every single possibility that comes our way. April 8 is our board meeting where we will have an executive session and then a public portion, and we hope to have some specific information to gi...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Middletown schools superintendent Jessica Alfone started off Monday night's public budget meeting by saying:
"We have had a lot of productive conversations over the last several days and those discussions are continuing to happen in small groups with the Board of Education and the administrative team. We are exhausting every single possibility that comes our way. April 8 is our board meeting where we will have an executive session and then a public portion, and we hope to have some specific information to give you at that time."
"The things you've brought forward are things we're having conversations about behind the scenes ... about what our next steps will possibly be," she added.
That April 8 meeting will begin with a private executive session, then followed by a public session — where Alfone said additional information will be revealed.
Also, later today the Middletown school district intends to send a survey to all parents/guardians. The school district wants to send that same survey to all community residents — not just public school parents.
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Monday night, one dad presented an idea he said the parent community came up with:
The Board of Education should sell two distinct properties it owns on Kings Highway: One 10-acre tract near the intersection of Sleepy Hollow Road, and another 8-acre wooded lot directly behind Village Elementary School. If using the sale price of land from the recent Mater Dei sale, the combined 18 acres could be sold for more than $10 million, which could plug the district's current $9.8 million budget gap, he said.
It remains unknown if the district will consider this idea. Neither Alfone nor the school board has said anything publicly about this idea, or other alternatives the community proposed.
The Middletown school district proposed a tentative $197 million budget for next year, with a $9.8-million budget hole the district says it has to close. The school district proposes closing Leonardo and Navesink elementaries, and Bayshore Middle School, plus close an additional one or two more elementary schools in the coming years.
Monday night's meeting was attended by many parents from the savemiddletownschools.com movement, wearing their signature bright blue T-shirts.
The first speaker accused "certain members of the board" of "playing partisan politics and ended up with lawsuits because of it."
Parents called the district's proposal to close three schools a "half-crafted plan" and one that was not backed up with data or evidence.
"Our seniors feel pushed out," said another mom. "Our parents feel even more pressure and we're destroying our property values. These are our largest personal investments. Why didn't you mention all this before the election last fall?" she asked the board, to much applause. "Why didn't you tell us about that before you asked us to vote on an open space initiative?"
Watch Monday night's public budget hearing:
It's Not Just 3 Schools: Middletown Seeks To Close More In Future (March 20)
The first public budget hearing: Older Middletown Residents: We Can't Afford 10 Percent Tax Hike To Keep Schools Open (March 27)
Gov. Murphy Responds To Proposed Middletown School Closures (March 27)
2nd Middletown Schools Budget Meeting Will Be Monday Night
Carly Baldwinhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/2nd-middletown-schools-budget-meeting-will-be-monday-night
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Here's a reminder that the second emergency public budget meeting for the Middletown school district will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Thompson Middle School gymnasium.If you cannot attend tonight's meeting in person, it will be livestreamed via the district's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channe...These are "emergency" public hearings on the budget because the school district has ...
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Here's a reminder that the second emergency public budget meeting for the Middletown school district will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Thompson Middle School gymnasium.
If you cannot attend tonight's meeting in person, it will be livestreamed via the district's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channe...
These are "emergency" public hearings on the budget because the school district has until April 30 to come up with a balanced 2025-'26 budget that does not include closing three schools, as the school district has proposed.
Other alternatives include a 10.1-percent school property tax increase (the district already tentatively plans to raise school property taxes 4.88 percent next year, in addition to closing the three schools; see this letter), or possibly laying off 120 school employees, and eliminating some extracurriculars for students.
The remaining meeting schedule:
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The administrative team and the Board of Education are actively working on vetting further alternative options to eliminate a significant shortfall in next year's budget," said superintendent Jessica Alfone in this March 21 letter to Middletown public school parents and guardians. "After the first two forums, the district will be putting out a survey to all community members for feedback, and the Board of Education will be holding a special executive session on April 8 to discuss the feedback from the community. Following this meeting, alternatives will be shared with the school community. The final two forums will be for the community to express feedback on the various alternatives to balance next year's budget and ensure a path forward for the future. I want to reiterate to the school community that nothing is finalized in regards to the budget until our April 30 meeting."
Here's some of what was said at the first public budget hearing: Older Middletown Residents: We Can't Afford 10 Percent Tax Hike To Keep Schools Open
Everything Planned This April In Monmouth County Parks
Carly Baldwinhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/everything-planned-april-monmouth-county-parks
Huber Woods Environmental Center in Middletown will host an Earth Day Open House April 26.Patch StaffLINCROFT, NJ — This April, the Monmouth County Park System is showering local residents with fun – the Spring Craft Show, Earth Day Open House, nature walks and so much more!Here’s what’s planned for the month:19th Century Woodworking DemonstrationSaturday, April 5 from 12-3 p.m.Historic Longstreet Farm, HolmdelFind out what's happening in Middletownf...
Huber Woods Environmental Center in Middletown will host an Earth Day Open House April 26.
Patch Staff
LINCROFT, NJ — This April, the Monmouth County Park System is showering local residents with fun – the Spring Craft Show, Earth Day Open House, nature walks and so much more!
Here’s what’s planned for the month:
19th Century Woodworking Demonstration
Saturday, April 5 from 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
See how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools, and crafts beautiful and functional items. FREE!
Milling Demonstrations
Saturdays & Sundays, April 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20 and 26 & 27 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
See the 19th century gristmill grind corn into meal. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE!
Climb Time
Sunday, April 6 from 3-6 p.m.
Shark River Park, Wall
Try the Park System's 25’ portable climbing wall. You must be 42” or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE!
Splendid Spring Stroll
Wednesday, April 9 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen - Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot.
Wednesday, April 30 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Clayton Park, Upper Freehold - Meet in the Emley's Hill parking lot.
Welcome the season by joining a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk through the park. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. FREE!
Spring Craft Show
Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls
This seasonal craft show features 40 + local artists and crafters. Admission and parking are free.
Open Shoot Archery
Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft
All equipment is provided for this open shoot. No outside equipment permitted. This is not an instructional clinic and NOT designed for beginners. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only.
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s
Saturday, April 12 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit. FREE!
Cookstove Demonstration
Saturdays, April 12 & 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See what's cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques, and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE!
Seashore Open House
Tuesday, April 15 from 1-4 p.m.
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Activity Center, Long Branch
Stop in during our annual Open House for some fun by the sea. Engaging hands-on activities will entertain and educate you and your family about the shore and the ocean. Speak with a Park System Naturalist about your own shell collection or the aquatic animals on display. Free admission and parking.
Seabrook-Wilson House Open
Sundays, April 20 & 27; Mondays, April 21 & 28; and Thursday, April 24 from 1-4 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Visit this house, which dates back to the early 1700s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and see displays on the ecology of the bay and local history. FREE!
Earth Day Planting
Tuesday, April 22 from 5-6:30 p.m.
Holmdel Park, Holmdel - Use the Forest Edge parking lot.
Join a Park System Naturalist as we restore our native forests. Your actions will provide valuable food and shelter for local wildlife. Supplies provided, but plants are limited.
Nature Lecture: Skate Fish Along the Jersey Shore
Thursday, April 24 from 7-8 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth
Skates are flattened fish related to sharks and rays and live in the waters off the New Jersey coast. Learn more about this unique fish that calls the Jersey Shore home during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. FREE!
Earth Day Open House
Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown
Celebrate Earth Day with live animal displays, guided nature walks, crafts and more. Local nature organizations will be on hand to provide valuable information. FREE!
Wool Days/Sheep Shearing
Saturday & Sunday, April 26 & 27 from 12-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See the farm staff use traditional blade shearing practices to remove the fleece from our sheep. Gene Sheninger will return with his collies to demonstrate their herding skills. FREE!
Earth Day Beach Cleanups
Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth
Sunday, April 27 from 1-3 p.m.
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Activity Center, Long Branch
Help clean our coastline of trash and plastic debris while discovering more about the local environment.
Wood Carving Demonstration
Sunday, April 27 from 1-3 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
See how the wood carver whittles a block of wood into a beautiful work of art. FREE!
Casual Birder
Tuesday, April 29 at 9 a.m.
Big Brook Park, Marlboro
Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk and meander for about an hour and a half and see what birds we can find. Participants should expect to be walking a few miles (2-4) on sometimes uneven or muddy terrain. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available on a first come basis. FREE!
To learn more about these Park System activities, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the Park System TTY/TDD number is 711. The Monmouth County Park System, created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, is Monmouth County’s Open Space, Parks, and Recreation agency.
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Middletown has announced plans for the former Mater Dei school
Amanda Oglesbyhttps://www.app.com/story/news/local/red-bank-middletown-area/middletown/2025/03/28/mater-dei-prep-middletown-nj-park/82700087007/
MIDDLETOWN -- The property of the former Mater Dei Prep school will soon become a public park used for youth sports and recreation, Mayor Anthony "Tony" Perry announced Thursday evening in a video posted to Facebook."The Township Committee has reached a tentative agreement to preserve the 20-acre Mater Dei property, a place where so many memories were made and friendships were formed and dreams began," the mayor said.The purchase price will be $11.75 million and will be paid for through the township's open s...
MIDDLETOWN -- The property of the former Mater Dei Prep school will soon become a public park used for youth sports and recreation, Mayor Anthony "Tony" Perry announced Thursday evening in a video posted to Facebook.
"The Township Committee has reached a tentative agreement to preserve the 20-acre Mater Dei property, a place where so many memories were made and friendships were formed and dreams began," the mayor said.
The purchase price will be $11.75 million and will be paid for through the township's open space trust fund and money from Monmouth County officials, he said.
"We are protecting this land from development and giving it new life as Mater Dei Park," Perry said. "This isn't just about saving space. It's about creating space, space for our children to run and play, for families to gather, and for our community to grow stronger together."
By the end of May, the former private school's running track and sports fields will be opened to the public and youth sports teams for exercise and recreation, he said.
The former school building will be demolished, according to Middletown officials.
An official with the Parish of St. Mary's in Middletown, which currently owns the property, declined to comment. A spokesperson with the Catholic Diocese of Trenton also could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.
Mater Dei Prep closed to students in 2022, after officials announced that enrollment had declined by half since 2014.
"Fewer students and the resulting loss in revenue through the years has created an operational deficit that depleted the school’s reserve despite aggressive fundraising efforts," school officials said at the time.
The year it closed, its enrollment was down to 220 students.
The Middletown Committee will introduce an ordinance to complete the purchase and hold a public hearing on the issue at its April 7 meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. and be held at the municipal building at 1 Kings Highway. A final vote on the purchase is scheduled for the Committee's April 28 meeting.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.
Middletown Twp. Will Purchase Mater Dei High, Make It Town Park
patch.comhttps://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/middletown-twp-will-purchase-mater-dei-high-make-it-town-park
The Mater Dei high school building will indeed be torn down, this summer.MIDDLETOWN, NJ — On Thursday evening, St. Mary's Catholic church in Middletown confirmed a rumor that has been circulating through town this week: St. Mary's parish will sell the former Mater Dei High School building, and surrounding grounds, to Middletown Township.Middletown plans to buy the 20-acre property and turn it into a recreational park. The existing sports fields will be kept as is, said Mayor Tony Perry. The new park will be called Mater...
The Mater Dei high school building will indeed be torn down, this summer.
MIDDLETOWN, NJ — On Thursday evening, St. Mary's Catholic church in Middletown confirmed a rumor that has been circulating through town this week: St. Mary's parish will sell the former Mater Dei High School building, and surrounding grounds, to Middletown Township.
Middletown plans to buy the 20-acre property and turn it into a recreational park. The existing sports fields will be kept as is, said Mayor Tony Perry. The new park will be called Mater Dei Park.
However — in what will likely be difficult news for many Middletown residents to hear — the Mater Dei school building itself will indeed be torn down. The entire property will be used for youth and adult recreational sports, said Mayor Tony Perry. The Township has no need for the aging former Catholic school building on site.
"Plans call for the former high school building to be razed," confirmed St. Mary Mother of God in a press release.
Interior demolition will begin very soon, as soon as the sale is completed, said the mayor. The building itself will be torn down this summer.
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
None of these plans affect St. Mary's grammar school, which will still continue to operate as usual on site and which has a healthy enrollment of Middletown youngsters.
The sale price is $11.75 million. However, an agreement made between Middletown and the county determined that Middletown will pay just 25 percent of that price (just under $3 million) and the county will pay the remaining 75 percent, over $8 million. Monmouth County will make this large purchase using tax dollars from the county's Open Space Trust Fund.
It will be a Middletown town park, not a county park.
The $11.75 million will go directly to St. Mary Mother of God Catholic church in Middletown. It will not go to the diocese in Trenton. That means the main Catholic church in Middletown has an $11.75-million check headed its way. This millions-of-dollars-cash infusion will be used to pay down debt service, parish maintenance, continue religious education and start a student endorsement fund to continue Catholic education in Middletown, said the St. Mary's pastor, Father Jeff Kegley.
The largest portion of funding from the sale will go to the student endowment fund for Saint Mary School, which is operated by the parish and provides Catholic education for students from age 2 through eighth grade, said Kegley. Proceeds from the endowment will support long-term educational initiatives, he said.
Remaining funding from the sale will be dedicated to the maintenance and upkeep of the parish and Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Shrine, he said.
“The decision to sell was not taken lightly, but we believe it is in the best interest of our parish and the broader community,” Father Kegley said. “It will secure our parish’s future and the mission for Catholic education in our town."
None of this can be done without public input: On April 7, the proposal to buy Mater Dei will be introduced at a Township Committee meeting. There will be a public hearing April 28.
Founded in 1961, Mater Dei was Middletown's longtime Catholic high school. Since the 1960s, it educated thousands of teenagers. Many in Middletown were heartbroken to see Mater Dei permanently close in 2022, but the Diocese of Trenton said enrollment had dwindled to a mere 220 students, and the school could not cover a $1-million yearly operating deficit.
Since then, the Mater Dei building has had a ... colorful history. You can see the building and grounds immortalized forever when it was used as the filming location for the "Mean Girls" movie revival, which filmed at Mater Dei in March/April 2023.
Then, St. Mary's tried to enter into an unusual arrangement last spring with College Achieve Public School (CAPS), a charter school in Neptune and Asbury Park. CAPS was going to rent the building from St. Mary's and bus 9th-12th graders up from Asbury Park to Middletown.
CAPS was going to pay St. Mary's $30,000 a month in rent, plus a $150,000 sign-on bonus.
But this bombshell Star Ledger report by reporter Matthew Stanmyre revealed that CAPS was paying its administrators exorbitant salaries, all in New Jersey taxpayer dollars: CAPS founder and CEO Michael Piscal was paid $697,528 a year. CAPS Paterson director Gemar Mills made $433,734 a year. Jodi McInerney, director of CAPS Asbury Park — who graduated from Red Bank Catholic — was paid $323,245.
Stanmyre also reported CAPS manipulated a loophole for it basketball team, which pummeled the Shore Conference in the winter of 2023/'24: An NJSIAA rule allows students from outside of town if a charter school is not at full enrollment. CAPS-Asbury Park said it was not fully enrolled, and put 11 of the most highly ranked basketball players in the state on its '23/'24 team, from towns such as Trenton, Keyport, Newark and Irvington. Critics say CAPS deliberately recruited and stacked its team with out-of-town players.
After that report, the Asbury Park school district sued CAPS, saying CAPS siphoned $1.4 million that should have gone to Asbury public schools by enrolling dozens of teenagers who live out of town. Out of 338 kids enrolled in CAPS-Asbury Park for the 2023-24 school year, Asbury Park BOE says they were only able to verify 53 actually live in Asbury Park.
After that report, McInerney and her husband, principal Tim McInerney, both went on administrative leave.
CAPS is currently being investigated by the state of New Jersey for possible misuse of taxpayer funds: The New Jersey Office of the Comptroller filed a subpoena in November 2024 seeking access to all of CAPS' contracts, lease agreements, spending documents, real estate transactions and financial documents, according to NJ.com and the Asbury Park Press.
CAPS abandoned its plans to rent Mater Dei. Middletown Twp. never granted them a certificate of occupancy, anyway.
The Catholic parish of Saint Mary was founded in Middletown in 1879 and currently counts more than 4,200 families as members of the church.
Here's a history of when St. Mary's tried to rent Mater Dei to CAPS charter school:
NJ Now Investigating CAPS Charter School, Which Wanted To Move Into Mater Dei (Feb. 2025)
Lawmakers Want CAPS Investigated, As It Seeks Expansion To Middletown (May 2024)
St. Mary's Plans To Bring Urban Charter School To Mater Dei Campus (April 2024)
'Mean Girls' Movie Musical Filming In Middletown In March And April (Feb. 2023)
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