Centenary University and The Patrick School announced signing of an innovative agreement Dec. 9.

Unanimously approved by the Hackettstown Land Use Board, the plan calls for the TPS to relocate to Centenary’s Hackettstown campus. According to the school, leasing the space will enhance its ability to provide the high-quality academic, athletic and residential opportunities.

Located in Hillside, TPS is a private, 6-12 grade school that features a powerhouse, nationally ranked high school basketball team. The institution boasts an impressive array of NCAA and NBA basketball stars among its alumni.

TPS was established in 2012 as an independent, co-educational high school. The institution emerged following the closing of New Jersey’s first parochial high school, St. Patrick High School Academy.

Key details from the agreement include:

• The nationally ninth-ranked (in preseason polls) TPS boys basketball team will live and take classes on Centenary’s campus
• The team will practice at the Reeves Athletic Facility
• Day students who shuttle to the school will take classes in Centenary’s Ferry Hall

Dual enrollment development

“Having a private high school on campus enables Centenary to develop innovative dual enrollment programs where high school students can take college classes,” said Centenary University President Dale Caldwell. “It also provides Centenary education students with the opportunity to do their student teaching on campus.”

“This collaboration has been fantastic,” said Patrick School President and head basketball coach Chris Chavannes. “Our players love the facilities and are playing at a very high level. Already, Nike’s director of high school basketball has visited the campus and is impressed with the opportunities this agreement represents for us to recruit the best high school players in the world. Together, Centenary University and The Patrick School are advancing our shared missions to educate and elevate the lives of our students.”

“Having some of the best young athletes in the world on campus is already inspiring our student-athletes to play at a higher level as they compete in DIII sports,” said Caldwell. “In addition, the residents of Hackettstown will get to see some future NBA stars, who will potentially do as well as TPS alumnus Kyrie Irving.”

This residential agreement marks the second such for Centenary with an educational institution.

Three years ago, the university entered an agreement with Sussex Community College. Under that plan, Centenary’s residence halls house the SCC football team. The partnership also provides a clear pathway to transfer to Centenary.

“Centenary’s relationship with Sussex Community College has been highly successful, and now, we are pleased to provide a similar residential experience to high school student-athletes from The Patrick School,” said Kerry Mullins, Centenary University vice president for campus life and dean of students. “Living on Centenary’s campus will better prepare these students to succeed in college.”