State rejects one charter school for Paterson, advances another | Paterson Times Paterson Times

State rejects one charter school for Paterson, advances another

By Jayed Rahman
Published: July 13, 2015

classroom

Two charter school submitted applications to open their doors to Paterson students. One school was rejected and another has advanced to the second-phase of the approval process, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.

The Global Learning Charter School which would have served 180 students in grades k-2 in its first year and 480 students in grades k-5 in its fourth year was rejected by the state.

Advanced to phase-two of approval was Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson which hopes to serve 135 students in pre-kindergarten to kindergarten in its first year and 270 students in grades pk-3. Over a period of 15 years the Newark-based charter school will cover grades pk-12, according to its application to the state.

The charter’s Newark campus’ 2013-14 school year report card shows the school “significantly lags” academically compared to schools across the state. It also “significantly lags in comparison to its peers” in academic performance, according to the state report.

Its college and career readiness is “very high” compared to schools across the state and “very high” compared to its peers, according to the report card.

During this first-phase of the approval process 14 prospective charter schools were denied in New Jersey and nine advanced to phase-two. Michael Yaple, spokesman for the department, said phase-two applications will be decided in late September.

Those schools approved for phase-two state wide were:
• Camden Innovations Charter High School, Camden
• Elizabeth Prep Charter School, Elizabeth
• First Ocean Charter School, Lakewood
• International Academy of Greater Irvington to serve Hillside, Irvington
• Liberty Community Charter School, Trenton
• NPC Charter School, Newark
• Regional Pneuma Academy CS for Science, Health and Tech, Asbury Park, Neptune Township
• Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson
• Universal Business Academy, Englewood.

Charter schools denied:
• ACE Charter School, Jersey City
• Agape Trinity Charter School, Plainfield
• KEEN Charter School of Trenton, Trenton
• Synergy Charter School, Keansburg, Hazlet, Keyport
• 24/7 Learning Academy Virtual Charter School, Newark
• Asbury Park Youth Movement Charter School, Asbury Park
• Global Learning Charter School, Paterson
• The Holistic Charter School for Behavioral Therapy, Howell, Lakewood
• International Academy of Passaic Charter School, Passaic
• Langhorne Preparatory Charter School, Princeton
• Learn STEM Charter School, Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Egg Harbor Twp.
• The Montessori Charter School of New Jersey, Ewing, Hopewell, Lawrence, Trenton
• Theresa M. Fredericks Academy Charter School to serve Hamilton, Trenton.

The Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson which may obtain final approval to open later this year comes at a time when city officials have been bemoaning loss of funds through charter schools.

Given our very difficult financial situation another charter school here makes it even harder for us to provide an education for the vast majority of Paterson, said Jonathan Hodges, school board president.

Hodges said charter schools have been financially “destabilizing” the district. In fiscal year 2015-16 the district will have to send $34.65 million to local charter schools.

The district recently laid off more than 300 employees, said Hodges. “Now you’re coming and taking additional money out of our budget which will benefit a small number of kids, but harm the vast majority,” he said.

Both the city’s school board and the city council have approved resolution seeking a moratorium on new charter schools in the city. Those resolutions were sent to the state urging a freeze on charter schools.

Representatives of Philip’s Academy Charter School did not return messages seeking their comments for this story.


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