Sea Bright Education History

by Greg Kelly · Published October 12, 2023 · Updated November 15, 2023

Learning in the Past …

The first-ever Sea Bright public school was opened in 1874, according to the Long Branch Daily Record. The town’s initial effort at public education fell to flames though. The school was one of many structures taken during the “Great Sea Bright Fire” in June 1891 when a majority of downtown burnt.

By 1892, a new four-story schoolhouse on River Street was opened at a cost of $11,650. The school board president then was George Brown. Set between river and ocean the school was remembered for its ornate exterior, many windows, interior woodwork, and winding fire-escape. Built by Garrett Hennessey, the brick structure lasted for over 125 years. Empty and neglected for 40 years, the majestic schoolhouse was finally torn down in September 2019 (I watched its fall).

With few dollars and even fewer students, Sea Bright learning efforts started humbly. Annual town spending on education did not reach $10,000 until 1923.

Helen Sawyer was the school’s longest serving principal holding the top job from 1942 to 1967 (she taught English too). The longtime Oakhurst resident with an NYU graduate degree died in July 1984. Others to lead the Sea Bright School system were: Margaret Quackenbush Goslee, James. S. McCain (1904-1914), Forman O. Cossaboom (1920-1928), and David W. Shipp (1928-1942). The last principal at the K-6 Sea Bright school was LeRoy von Entress.

With its small enrollment always presenting a challenge, the school finally closed in 1978 (with annual education budget under $275,000). In 1979 the board of education sold the property to Ingol Media Service for $125,000. Sea Bright grammar school children have attend Oceanport schools since then. The borough never had a high school instead sending its students first to Long Branch High School and beginning in 1962 to Shore Regional High School in WLB.

Sea Bright Public School, 1909. The budget for the 1908-09 school year was $4,100.

Sea Bright School dedication plaque, 1892.

Sea Bright School bell, Fall 2023.

Old Sea Bright School desk and chair. The school closed in 1978.

Sea Bright School on River Street, 1978.

Sea Bright School, 1970s (Terri Miller Photo).

Sea Bright School, 2019. Just prior to its demolition.

Sea Bright School seen from Ocean Avenue prior to demolition, 2019.

Sea Bright School on River Street, 1976.

Garrett Hennessey built the Sea Bright School in 1892. Born in Ocean Grove in July 1841, he also owned a successful pound boat operation in North Long Branch. Once an owner of the Long Branch Pier, he died In March 1918.

Sea Bright School tear down, September 2019.

Sea Bright School assembly room, Red Bank Register, April 1976.

Sea Bright School, 1940. During a fire escape tutorial given by the borough firefighters.

Asbury Park Press, May 1977. Although voters approved this plan easily by 2-to-1, the school board voted to close the school by a 5-4 vote in Sept. 1978. All SB students ended up attending Oceanport schools.