history

Hunterdon Preparatory School welcomed its first students in 1975.  Founded as Hunterdon Learning Center, the school’s early mission was to provide a learning environment for young people who were struggling in traditional school settings. The school was developed on the philosophies of education pioneers John Dewey and William Glasser, who promoted a variety of experiential learning techniques to help students reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION

In 2013, Hunterdon Preparatory School moved from its original location in rural Lebanon Township, to a more central location near Clinton, NJ. The new location provided a larger campus that allowed the school to grow in number of students and in the breadth of academic, elective, and extracurricular programs. The more central location provided students with opportunities to be involved volunteering and working at student internships in the local community.

CONTINUITY

In June of 2022, long-time Executive Director, Toby Loyd, retired from Hunterdon Prep after nearly four decades of leading the school community with his creative and sometimes non-traditional approach to education. He inspired us to believe in ourselves and in the possibilities that await us. He taught us that self-improvement comes from hard work and that perseverance in challenging times teaches us to be resilient. Toby instilled in us the importance of connection to a community and the responsibilities that come along with it.

The principles on which the school was founded continue under the new leadership of Interim Executive Director, Alisa Kopacz, who has nearly two decades of experience working with students at Hunterdon Prep. Alisa began her career at Hunterdon Prep in 2003 and has led the school’s counseling department since 2020. We look forward to all of the possibilities that await us under her leadership.

As we look ahead, Hunterdon Prep will continue to set the bar high for both the academic and personal success of its students. Through innovative programming, delivered by our highly skilled staff, every student will be able to discover their own potential and to unleash the best in themselves and others. One thing is certain, Hunterdon Prep. is poised for a bright and exciting future!