St. James Elementary School's history dates back to 1867, when a spirited priest, Rev. John F. Salaun, established a school in the church basement and placed it in charge of a woman named Miss Thompson. However, the school proved to be too great of a burden and was discontinued after two years of operation.

In 1876, the Rev. Michael E. Kane assumed the pastorate of St. James Church and served the faithful for fifteen busy years. Three years after his arrival, on June 8, 1879, the new St. James parochial school was opened at the Pearl and Wall St. site. Not being able to obtain teaching Sisters, he secured the services of lay people as teachers. In 1888, three Sisters of Mercy came to take charge of the school. The Sisters continued to head our school until 1983.

On July 3, 1927, the cornerstone was laid for the new grammar and high school building — the present Red Bank Catholic High School. The cost of building this new location was $175,000. The old church property on Pearl and Wall Streets were sold for $50,000 to help defray some of the costs of the new building. The new school was to be erected on the south side of the church.

Then, in the fall of 1946, extensive repairs were done to the school building, and a new central heating plant and garage building were erected. With the school population increasing at an accelerated pace, Bishop Wm. Griffin of Trenton decided to erect, a temporary classroom building on the school grounds to house the grammar school. This would separate the grammar school classes from the high school classes in the main building. This temporary building was of prefabricated wooden construction and was intended to be replaced by a permanent structure five years later. It actually stood for fifteen years and was dismantled in 1961 to make way for the new St. James Grammar School, which now stands on Peters Place.

In September of 1953, Monsignor Monahan was placed in charge of St. James Parish. The pressing need at that time was for a permanent grammar school building. Six properties were obtained at the present church site. The property at 17-19 Drummond Place, which was acquired in 1955, was turned into four classrooms immediately and has served grammar and high school purposes ever since. Five properties were razed to make way for the erection of the new St. James auditorium-gymnasium. The new school was dedicated on December 11, 1960.

The new school cost approximately one and a quarter million dollars to build and another $150,000 to furnish. It was comprised of twenty-four classrooms, with complete administration facilities, a library, and the auditorium-gymnasium. The cafeteria, seating more than 600, had a completely furnished kitchen and continues to serve both schools for lunch.

In 1983, Mrs. Maureen Hintelmann, a teacher at St. James, became principal, a position she held until 1997. During her long and ambitious tenure, Mrs. Hintelmann accomplished many great things, including the introduction of the Reading Resource Program in 1984. She also started the Preschool Program for four-year-olds in 1991. The St. James Preschool program has now expanded to include classes for three and five year olds. Full day Kindergarten was introduced in 1992 as well as the Extended Day Program (EDP), which was created to meet the needs of the busy families of St. James who desire supplementary after-school care. Staffed with teachers and aides, the program provides homework help, snack, and recreation.

The Royals Club was founded and run by Tom McGrath and John Boruzzi. As an integral part of the PTA, The Royals Club is open to all male family members and guardians of St. James students.

In keeping with the fast-paced times, the first Computer Science Program was introduced to St. James students in 1992. Headed by Mrs. Kathy Vassallo, who has since passed away, the comprehensive Computer Program brought the exciting and challenging world of high-tech directly to the St. James students. In keeping with this high-tech tradition, Math and Computer Labs were brought to St. James in 1995. Mrs. Hintelmann also planted the seeds of the Development Program in 1993.

Mrs. Janet Dolan was named Principal of St. James School in 1997. Prior to her promotion, Mrs. Dolan was Vice Principal since 1993. She also served as the 6th and 7th Grade Religion Teacher and the Sacramental Coordinator for the school. Mrs. Dolan first joined the staff of St. James in 1989, when she was a Third Grade Teacher until 1993.

Mrs. Dolan has had numerous accomplishments since taking the helm in 1997, including expanding the school's curriculum to focus on individualized programs to better meet students' needs. The curriculum expansion includes the addition of Pre-Algebra and Algebra, an Advanced Integrated Arts Program, and Spanish from Preschool through 8th Grade. Mrs. Dolan also supplemented St. James' after-school activities with the addition of After School Clubs for Kindergarten through 2nd Grade, and the new Drama Club, Challenge+ Program as well as Service Program. She has also expanded the Leadership Program with the Peer to Peer Program in 2003, The Royal Ambassadors in 1998 and the “Give Back Program in 1997.

In 2001, Mrs. Maureen Waters, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed School Social Worker, joined the St. James staff. Mrs. Waters is available to children and parents who are experiencing emotional, social, and behavioral challenges.

Other significant expansions have taken place under Mrs. Dolan's authority: the school now has complete Internet access, and laptop computers on rolling carts are available to the students. She has expanded Professional Development for the teachers, and the Resource Program has been enhanced. The Math Resource Program is now available to Grades 1 through 5, and Reading is open to Grades K through 7.

There have also been several notable capital improvements. Because of very successful PTA fundraisers, all furniture in the school has recently been replaced, the library was renovated in 2001, and the playground was refurbished in 2000. In addition, St. James School now has two computer labs and over 50 computers schoolwide. Building security has been upgraded, school lockers have been installed for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, and the Principal's Office and the Business Office were renovated in 2000.

At the present, more than 600 children are enrolled in St. James School. Although the administration has changed, the mission remains the same. Although we still retain our affiliation with the Sisters of Mercy, they are no longer at the helm of our school. Since 1983, St. James has had a lay person acting as principal. Due to the diminishing number of Sisters, our teachers are also lay people.