About ICS

Parish History

Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church was established on Oct. 13, 1864, as a mission church attended, at different times, by pastors of parishes in High Bridge, Hampton, Lambertville and Flemington. The first church building was constructed in 1879 and was situated on Halstead Street in Clinton Town. On Nov. 14, 1947, Immaculate Conception became a parish church with the appointment of its first resident pastor.

The parish moved from Clinton Town to the Annandale section of Clinton Township in 1969. Our present house of worship, situated on St. Mary’s Hill, was dedicated on June 30, 1996.

School History

In 1992 the Sisters of Jesus our Hope established the Sheepfold at Immaculate Conception Parish, which served children in three-year-old preschool, four-year-old preschool and kindergarten.

In August 1999, Bishop Breen approved the establishment of a parish grammar school at Immaculate Conception. Immaculate Conception School opened its doors in the Fall of 2001 to children entering three-year-old preschool through fourth grade. In the Fall of 2002, our new school building opened and now serves students in three-year-old preschool through eighth grade.

Mission Statement

Immaculate Conception School exists as a gift to God’s children, to prepare them to live a life with Jesus the Good Shepherd as their teacher and friend. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, and through the intercession of Mary, the school seeks to foster in each student spiritual growth, academic excellence and moral integrity.

Philosophy & Goals

Every child is a reflection of the image and likeness of God. That reflection comes to fruition in the love of our parish families. At Immaculate Conception School, we seek to fulfill our mission by being the extension of Christ the Teacher as we partner with parents and extended family. We are guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Metuchen in order to teach our children the virtues of faith, hope and charity. With these tools, each child can go forth to develop his or her potential as a Christian in a secular world.

Religion

Immaculate Conception School is a faith community in which the development of our faith is central to the curriculum. The school environment reflects the Gospel spirit and the presence of Jesus. The spiritual aspects of the curriculum are expressed through Christian values in religious instruction, the daily word in prayer, the celebration of the sacraments, general academics and the interpersonal relationships between students and adults. As a community of faith, a supportive relationship between parent and teacher is strongly encouraged to promote academic progress and home school faith-sharing activities. Religious values are woven throughout the integrated curriculum and daily activities creating a unique learning atmosphere. Moral and ethical development is supported through community service, justice and peacemaking.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Special subjects include Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish and Media, which includes Computer Science and Library.

Curriculum content is determined by the Diocese of Metuchen. Extensions of the curriculum are based on the needs of the school community and the individual students.

The curriculum is differentiated, integrated and child centered. Instructional emphasis is on individual progress. Student progress is assessed regularly and through this assessment student goals and needs are determined.

Each program is developed through a team approach including collaboration with student, teacher, parent and administration. Within this partnership, school and family jointly ensure that our children thrive academically, spiritually and socially in a Christ-filled environment.

Curriculum Extension & Extra Curricular Activities at ICS

The following activities serve to extend the curriculum or offer students opportunities for extra curricular activities:

Reading Olympics

Spelling Bee

Science Fair

Book Adventure

Hunterdon Democrat Kids Pages

D.A.R.E.

Destination Imagination

Faith Families

Spanish Club

Year Book

Math-a-thon

Chess Club

Study Skills

Art Goes to School

Art Club

Glee Club

IC Singers

Band (4^th & 5^th, 6^th – 8^th)

Jazz Band

Jr. Broadway Theater (5-8^th grade)

Talent Show

Student Government

Cross Country

Basketball

Cheerleading

The following are special events that enhance our school activities:

Arts:  Christmas Concert

          Festival of the Arts

Social Concerns:   Monthly food pantry collection

                             Personal care items for Youth Shelters

                             Placemats for Senior Centers

                             Valentines for Troops

                             Eyes for Needy

Spiritual Growth:   Monthly Beatitude Theme

                             Student readers/participation at monthly Liturgy

                             Advent Jesse Tree

                             Las Posadas re-enactment

                             Living Stations of the Cross

                             Living Rosary

Social:   Fall Fest

             Spring Fling

Programs

Math - The math program includes supplemental math instruction for on level and advanced tracks in grades 6th – 8th. Supplemental Math is provided for exceptionally advanced students.

Science - A fully equipped laboratory complements the science curriculum in grades one through eight.

Foreign Language - Spanish is offered as a world language beginning in Kindergarten with a two day program in Grade 6 and a four day per week program in grades 7 and 8.  Latin is included as language enrichment for Grades 7 and 8.

Music - The music program includes general music, instrumental band, jazz band, bell choir, choir, glee club and show choir along with musical theatre and concerts.

Sports & Athletics - The physical education program includes a wide variety of activities for each age group. After-school options include basketball teams in grades 4 through 8 that compete in the Diocese of Metuchen basketball league. Additionally, cheerleading, instructional lacrosse and intramurals are offered.

Computer Technology

Information Technology is developed from preschool through eighth grade by classroom integration and instruction in the library/media center. The library/media center contains 28 Apple Mac Mini computers to accommodate an entire class of students and each classroom is equipped with a minimum of five Dell workstations. All of the computers are connected to the school’s local area network, and software for both platforms is compatible.  All school computers have internet access and are protected by both anti-virus software and a content filtering firewall appliance.  A laptop cart with 28 MacBooks is available to teachers and students, as well as (16) SmartBoards in several classrooms to integrate curriculum with technology.

Preschool

Our preschool programs are half day sessions offered in the morning and afternoon. The three-year-old program meets two days a week on Tuesday and Thursday.  Our standard four-year-old program meets three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  The Prekindergarten program for young 5 year olds meets five days a week.

Extended Care

Extended Care is available to students in 4 year Preschool through eighth grade. The program is consistent with the guidelines of the Diocese of Metuchen. It provides children with a Catholic environment, extending the philosophy and values of Immaculate Conception School into after-school hours. The program includes recreation and homework time. The staff works to help each child grow in maturity and self-respect while encouraging an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding of others.

Facilities

Serving families in Hunterdon and Warren Counties in New Jersey, Immaculate Conception School is located at 314 Old Allerton Road, in the Annandale section of Clinton Township, NJ, near the intersection of State Highway 31 and Interstate 78. Encompassing 54 acres, the facilities include a church, cemetery, Early Education Building, elementary school building, and athletic fields.  The elementary school building includes a Music/Art Room, Media Center, Science Lab, Health Office and Multipurpose Room.

Transportation

The North Hunterdon/Voorhees and Delaware Valley school districts are providing bus service for most students living in those sending districts.  The remaining districts are providing transportation reimbursement.

2010 -2011 Fee Schedule/Tuition

Tuition for Kindergarten through eighth grade is $4,640 for the first child in the family. Tuition for the second child in the family in Kindergarten through eighth grade is $3,340. Tuition for the third child in the family in Kindergarten through eighth grade is $2,000. Tuition for the fourth child in the family in Kindergarten through eighth grade is $ 370.  There is no tuition charged for the fifth child, etc. Tuition for the three day four-year-old preschool program is $2,600.  Tuition for the Pre-Kindergarten program is $ 4,100.   Tuition for the three-year-old preschool program is $1,850. The registration fee for each child in the three-year-old preschool program, the four-year-old preschool program, and Kindergarten through eighth grade is $250 for new families, and $180 for returning families. A general student fee of $240 per child is applicable for each child in Kindergarten through eighth grade. The fee for the Kindergarten program is $250 per student.