Yesterday the New Jersey Department of Education announced the results of the most recent round of charter school authorizations. Three new charter schools were approved — Union Arts and Science Charter School (Elizabeth/Linden), LEAD Academy Charter School (Newark), and Achieve Community Charter School (Newark) — and sixteen were granted extensions. Notably, Red Bank Charter School and Hatikvah International Academy (a Hebrew immersion school in East Brunswick) were denied expansions; both were particular targets of Save Our Suburban Schools-NJ.
NJ Spotlight has the complete list.
Here’s a statement from the N.J. Charter School Association:
The New Jersey Charter Schools Association applauds the Department of Education for its decision to approve 16 charter expansions for the 2016-17 schoolyear. This move reaffirms the Christie Administration’s commitment to the expansion of high-quality schools in areas with demonstrated needs. The children residing in Bergen, Englewood, Jersey City, Millville, Newark, Perth Amboy, Somerset, Teaneck, and Vineland will have greater access to a quality education for the 2016-17 schoolyear. This is a tremendous step forward for the families of these cities.
Furthermore, the absence of any closures is demonstrative that the charter accountability process is working. The charter school community is strengthened by the addition of new seats being made available to more students in a period of rigorous academic, operational, and fiscal oversight.
We are pleased that more students will now have greater access to schools that will prepare them for college, career, and life. This approval is part of a series of moves from the Christie Administration that supports a flourishing charter school community with heightened accountability. The NJCSA looks forward to continuing to work with the Department of Education towards initiatives that will continue to improve access to high-quality public education for every child in New Jersey.
