Catholic School to Launch “Mary Ellen’s Angels”
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — September 9, 2025 — St. Peter School, providing Catholic education in Ocean County for more than 102 years, is honored to receive a $2 million pledge over 10 years from the Golden Dome Foundation to support the launch of a new needs-based tuition assistance program and student character development initiative.
The funding will expand access to a St. Peter School education for families in need and promotes the school’s core values of respect, reverence, and responsibility. The foundation will provide $200,000 a year over 10 years if the school meets certain benchmarks.
“St. Peter School has always been a cornerstone of Catholic education in our region, and this extraordinary gift from the Golden Dome Foundation ensures that its tradition of faith, service, and academic excellence will remain accessible to every family who seeks it,” Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Doug Vitale said. “This investment is not only in the students of today but in the future leaders of our communities, who will carry forward the values of compassion, respect, and responsibility that make a lasting difference.”
By jumpstarting this program at St. Peter, the Golden Dome Foundation hopes to cultivate a greater culture of compassion that encourages others to become more active financial participants in the school and their communities.
Mary Ellen Harris, the co-founder of the foundation, explained that the grant has specific purposes: To offset tuition for under-privileged families, to fund tuition for the children of St. Peter staff, to help families who have more than one child in St. Peter School and to provide smaller scholarships to students who excel in leadership, respect, kindness, athletics or academics.
“The program will provide financial aid based on demonstrated need, with an application process designed to be confidential, compassionate, and respectful. This is a small school, known for its community service, and with an excellent student-to-teacher ratio.” said Judith Lolli, of Point Pleasant Beach, who also serves as a foundation board trustee.
The school expects to name these exceptional students as “Mary Ellen’s Angels.”
“Our foundation focuses its highly selective giving to non-profit groups that are truly transformational,” Harris said. “Our objective is to not help an entity balance its budget or purchase supplies. We seek out organizations that are doing truly amazing work and leverage our funding to expand the benefit to those who need it the most.”
“This is an investment in our families and our future,” said Father Robert Schlageter, pastor of St. Peter Church. “This tuition assistance program is a reflection of our faith in action—supporting our community and building a legacy of opportunity for every student. This program will be transformational to members in our community.”
St. Peter School serves students in Pre-K3 through Grade 8 and earned a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and the New Jersey State School of Character award. Families interested in learning more about enrollment opportunities are encouraged to visit www.stpschool.org or call (732) 892-1260.
Learn more here about the Golden Dome Foundation.