TOMS RIVER, N.J. — As declining enrollment reshapes education across New Jersey, the recent conversion of three former public school properties into yeshivas has prompted new questions about whether Ocean County College could eventually face similar redevelopment discussions if its student population continues to shrink.
Ocean County College has experienced a steady enrollment decline for more than a decade. According to the college’s 2024-2025 Fact Book, fall enrollment reached 7,095 students in 2024, down from a historic peak of 10,415 students in 2009 and more than 1,000 students below pre-pandemic levels, a 25% overall drop.
The trend reflects broader demographic changes affecting schools throughout Ocean County, where districts including Toms River Regional Schools, Jackson Township School District, and several neighboring communities have reported declining enrollment driven by lower birth rates and shifting population patterns.
Those enrollment changes have already led to the sale or repurposing of several former public school properties across New Jersey.
Most recently, three area schools have either sold and become yeshivas or are in the process of becoming yeshivas.
The former Bass River Elementary School in Burlington County received local planning board approval to be converted into a private boarding yeshiva after years of legal and zoning disputes. Other former school properties in central New Jersey have also been acquired by organizations planning religious educational uses.
In neighboring Jackson Township, the board of education there sold off two schools: Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School and McAuliffe Middle School. Both are now functioning as Yeshivas with the latter being a higher education facility operated by Beth Medrash Govoha, America’s largest yeshiva.
The Toms River Board of Education has also held discussions to downsize, with North Dover and Citta Elementary School allegedly mentioned in the behind-closed-doors discussions, according to county officials. The school board sold its administration building on Hooper Avenue to the county after it was announced it was downsizing, cutting teaching jobs, and even selling off trees from its properties.
The Ocean County Board of Commissioners agreed to purchase the Toms River Regional School District administration building at 1144 Hooper Avenue for $15.4 million. The sale of the 92,000-square-foot facility was arranged to help the school district close a major budget deficit
In March 2022, Georgian Court University announced an agreement to sell 42 acres of undeveloped edge land and a few administrative buildings along Lakewood Avenue to neighboring Beth Medrash Govoha (BMG) in Lakewood. The transaction supports campus updates for the university and new housing for the yeshiva.
Ocean County College has not announced any plans to sell buildings or reduce its campus footprint.
However, county officials have previously explored alternative uses for available space. One proposal would have relocated the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office into an underutilized college building before the sheriff’s administration instead pursued construction of its own headquarters in downtown Toms River.
Earlier this year, the college also eliminated 21 positions after officials reported enrollment had fallen roughly 15% since fiscal year 2020, citing reduced tuition revenue and increasing operating costs.
- Ocean County College’s enrollment has declined from 10,415 students in 2009 to 7,095 students in Fall 2024.
- Several former New Jersey public school properties have recently been approved or converted for use as yeshivas.
- Ocean County officials have evaluated alternative uses for portions of the OCC campus, although no plans to sell property have been announced.
Community colleges differ significantly from K-12 school districts because they typically serve broader regional populations, offer workforce training and adult education, and maintain multiple funding sources beyond traditional student enrollment. Ocean County College has also expanded online learning, dual-enrollment partnerships with local high schools, and new workforce certificate programs in an effort to stabilize enrollment.
Still, demographic forecasts suggest New Jersey’s traditional college-age population is expected to continue declining over the coming years, forcing many higher education institutions to reconsider how much classroom space they need.
Whether that ultimately results in portions of Ocean County College’s campus being redeveloped remains entirely speculative. No proposal has been introduced by county commissioners or college administrators to sell campus buildings, and there has been no indication that any religious institution has expressed interest in acquiring college property.
Shore News Network has reached out to the OCC public relations department and will update the story when information is provided by the college.
For now, the campus remains fully operational as officials continue adapting academic programs to changing educational demand while evaluating the long-term needs of one of Ocean County’s largest public institutions.
FAQ
Is Ocean County College selling any buildings?
No. College officials and Ocean County have not announced any plans to sell campus buildings or property.
Why is Ocean County College’s enrollment declining?
Officials cite long-term demographic changes, lower birth rates, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and changing student preferences, including increased online learning.
Why are yeshivas part of the discussion?
Several former public school properties in New Jersey have recently been approved or converted into yeshivas after enrollment declines left those facilities vacant or underused.
Has a yeshiva proposed purchasing Ocean County College property?
No. There is no public proposal or announced interest from any yeshiva or religious organization regarding Ocean County College property.
Could Ocean County College eventually redevelop underused buildings?
While officials have evaluated alternative uses for some campus space in the past, including a proposal involving the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, no redevelopment or sale plans have been announced.
Sources: Ocean County College 2024-2025 Fact Book; NJ.com; Ocean County public records; Pine Barrens Tribune reporting on the Bass River Elementary School redevelopment.
