Pirates Academy
Pirates Academy
Pirates Academy is a week-long summer program exclusively for rising 8th graders, focused on introducing students to the culture and ethos of Seton Hall Prep while also giving them opportunities to meet new friends, learn to work together and overcome challenges, and prepare for both our entrance exam and the academic challenges of their 8th grade year.
Throughout Pirates Academy, students will be instructed by Prep teachers, participate in SHP activities with our club moderators, meet our renowned varsity coaches and visit our athletic facility, engage in service and mindfulness activities with our Campus Ministry team, and develop relationships with our current students, who will serve as their mentors for the week.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings of Pirates Academy are reserved for academic instruction, with a focus on math and English topics relevant to our entrance exam. Students will also participate in enrichment classes that introduce them to STEM and language at Seton Hall Prep and help develop their public speaking and study skills. In the afternoons, students will get to experience our extracurricular programs, learn more about Seton Hall Prep, and participate in teambuilding activities. On Wednesday, we leave the classroom behind and put our teamwork to the test on a rafting trip down the Delaware River- the highlight of Pirates Academy for most students! See the "Important Information" to the right for more details on the rafting trip.
2025 Pirates Academy Parent Testimonials
"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for this past week. It really opened my son's eyes to what a difference a well-rounded education and focus on community can make."
"I asked [my son] what he thought of the program on Monday and he couldn't stop talking about it, which is unusual for him."
"We wanted to thank you for a great week at Seton Hall Prep. [Our son] went into the week apprehensive about camp and what it would be like. And since Monday he's come home so excited to talk about all the things he's done, the people he's met and how much he's enjoyed himself."
"[Our son] had a fantastic Pirate's week and embraced you, Mr. Merklinger, your colleagues, and your student mentor's positivity. Thank you for including parents in numerous ways throughout the week too. These family opportunities made the entire experience very special."
2025 Pirates Academy Student Testimonials
"I wanted to thank you for a great week at Pirates Academy. Pirates Academy was a great experience for me because I got an understanding of the admissions tests and I got a feel for what it would be like to go to SHP. The rafting trip was amazing because of all the friends I made and the fun time I had. I enjoyed learning about the meaning behind Hazard Zet Forward and I can't wait for Freshman For a Day."
"Thank you so much for hosting Pirates Academy last week. I had a great time and it really helped me prepare for the entrance exam. The academic classes were awesome, and the teachers taught me so much. The rafting trip was my highlight of the week. I had fun rafting across the river with my group members. The trip helped us learn how to work together. To add on, I really enjoyed the team building activities because it helped me get to know the people in my raft. I look forward to seeing you again soon!"
"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for this past week. It really opened my son's eyes to what a difference a well-rounded education and focus on community can make."
"I asked [my son] what he thought of the program on Monday and he couldn't stop talking about it, which is unusual for him."
"We wanted to thank you for a great week at Seton Hall Prep. [Our son] went into the week apprehensive about camp and what it would be like. And since Monday he's come home so excited to talk about all the things he's done, the people he's met and how much he's enjoyed himself."
"[Our son] had a fantastic Pirate's week and embraced you, Mr. Merklinger, your colleagues, and your student mentor's positivity. Thank you for including parents in numerous ways throughout the week too. These family opportunities made the entire experience very special."
2025 Pirates Academy Student Testimonials
"I wanted to thank you for a great week at Pirates Academy. Pirates Academy was a great experience for me because I got an understanding of the admissions tests and I got a feel for what it would be like to go to SHP. The rafting trip was amazing because of all the friends I made and the fun time I had. I enjoyed learning about the meaning behind Hazard Zet Forward and I can't wait for Freshman For a Day."
"Thank you so much for hosting Pirates Academy last week. I had a great time and it really helped me prepare for the entrance exam. The academic classes were awesome, and the teachers taught me so much. The rafting trip was my highlight of the week. I had fun rafting across the river with my group members. The trip helped us learn how to work together. To add on, I really enjoyed the team building activities because it helped me get to know the people in my raft. I look forward to seeing you again soon!"
"I want to express my gratitude for organizing such an amazing week at the Prep. Additionally, I want to thank you for all the opportunities I was given to experience classes that I may take as a possible incoming freshman in 2026... the most important thing from my week at the Prep was the welcoming ways expressed from both the mentors and the staff. Unlike other schools I have visited, Seton Hall Prep and its students have been extremely welcoming and I feel all truly grasp the aspect of brotherhood. This week made me feel this will be the right high school for me."
We are excited to offer three sessions of Pirates Academy in 2026:
Cost: $475 due upon registration. Pirates Academy has sold out every year, and registration is based on a first-come-first-served basis. Registration will open on December 12 at 12 PM.
- Session 1: June 15-19.
- Session 2: June 22-26.
- Session 3: July 6-10.
Cost: $475 due upon registration. Pirates Academy has sold out every year, and registration is based on a first-come-first-served basis. Registration will open on December 12 at 12 PM.
Important Information
- Lunch and drinks must be brought by students each day.
- Dress code is casual and comfortable. T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers are encouraged.
- Transportation is not provided for Pirates Academy. Pirates Academy begins at 8:30 AM and concludes at 2:30 each day (aside from Wednesday). Participants may be dropped off at SHP as early as 8AM each morning.
- Rafting Trip Details: The rafting trip is scheduled for each Wednesday of Pirates Academy (with a rain date on Thursday). Parents drop off their sons at Smithfield Beach at 10:00 AM and are welcome to stay to watch us push off. Parents will pick up their sons at the Delaware Water Gap about 2.5-3 hours after we embark. We encourage parents to carpool and we will provide information for ways for parents to spend their day while the students are rafting, including directions to the Crossings Outlets. Many more details regarding this trip are included in a letter you will receive upon registration.
- Lunch and drinks must be brought by students each day.
- Dress code is casual and comfortable. T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers are encouraged.
- Transportation is not provided for Pirates Academy. Pirates Academy begins at 8:30 AM and concludes at 2:30 each day (aside from Wednesday). Participants may be dropped off at SHP as early as 8AM each morning.
- Rafting Trip Details: The rafting trip is scheduled for each Wednesday of Pirates Academy (with a rain date on Thursday). Parents drop off their sons at Smithfield Beach at 10:00 AM and are welcome to stay to watch us push off. Parents will pick up their sons at the Delaware Water Gap about 2.5-3 hours after we embark. We encourage parents to carpool and we will provide information for ways for parents to spend their day while the students are rafting, including directions to the Crossings Outlets. Many more details regarding this trip are included in a letter you will receive upon registration.
- Please email the director of Pirates Academy, Mr. Peter Durning '06, at pdurning@shp.org with any questions.
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