Archdiocese students head back to school (Photos)

As students across the Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools embark on a new academic year, many marked the occasion with special traditions. From joyful back-to-school Masses to heartwarming Blessings of Backpacks, the excitement and faith-filled energy of the school communities were captured in these memorable moments. These photos from our Catholic schools highlight new beginnings of learning, growth, and spiritual development.

Students navigate their way across campus on the first day back to school at Oratory Prep in Summit.

The Lacordaire Academy Class of 2025 gathered at Eagle Rock Reservation in Montclair to celebrate the final first day of school as high schoolers. (Lacordaire Academy)

Students posed for back-to-school selfies at Christ the Teacher Academy in Fort Lee. (Christ the Teacher Academy)

The whole school gathered to celebrate the first day of school at Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus. (Paramus Catholic High School)

St. Cassian School in Montclair is ready for a new school year. (St. Cassian School)

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Classmates at Saint John’s Academy in Hillsdale gathered for a Blessing of the Backpacks to kick off the new school year. (St. John’s Academy)

Classmates at Aquinas Academy in Livingston gathered for the first Mass of the school year. (Aquinas Academy)

Students at the Sacred Heart School in Lyndhurst gathered for the annual Blessing of the Backpacks, an annual church and school tradition to kick off the new school year.

Students at Union Catholic High School are ready for the new school year. (Union Catholic High School)

Students walk into the first day of classes at Bergen Catholic Academy in Oradell. (Bergen Catholic Academy)

At Notre Dame Academy in Palisades Park, students and their families kicked off the school year with an ice cream social. (Notre Dame Academy)

Families at Our Lady of Częstochowa School in Jersey City gathered for an ice cream social to kick off the new school year. (Our Lady of Częstochowa School)

Teachers welcomed back students and families at Queen of Peace Grammar School in North Arlington. (Queen of Peace Grammar School)

Students walk across campus on their first day of school at Saint Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City. (Saint Peter’s Preparatory School)

Students gather to memorialize the start of the new school year at Saint Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield. (Saint Thomas the Apostle School)

Featured Image: Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange started the new school year with an all-school Mass.