Sea Bright School — Learning in the Past

by Greg Kelly · Published December 23, 2022 · Updated February 25, 2023

Sea Bright School History

The first-ever Sea Bright public school was opened in 1874, according to a Long Branch Daily Record, and burned four years later and was rebuilt.

A four-story, brick building on River Street was opened in 1892. The builder was Garrett Hennessey and the cost was $11,650. The SB school board president was George Brown. The school closed in 1978. The last principal at the K-6 school was LeRoy von Entress.

According to a WordontheShore.com report, the SB Board of Education sold the school to Ingol Media Service for $125,000 in 1979. In 1988 Fondeur Bridges Properties, Inc. acquired it for $600,000. In 1995, Aldo J. Frustacci, who represents River Realty, LLC, bought it for $100,000. In recent years, the property was on the market for just under $5 million.

The old school was finally torn down in September 2019. Sea Bright grammar school children now attend Oceanport schools.

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

Sea Bright School, 1940. During a fire escape tutorial given by the SB Fire Department.

Sea Bright School on River Street, 1976.

SB School plaque (Thanks to SB Councilman Marc Leckstein).

SB School tear down, September 2019.

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.