State grants final approval to 3 charter schools including Philip’s Academy in Paterson
By Jonathan Greene
Published: July 18, 2016
The New Jersey Department of Education granted final approval to three charter schools including the Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson to open in September.
Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson will begin with 54 kindergarten students and enroll 189 students in K-3 grades by the fourth year, according to the state.
The school will open at a leased facility at 47 State Street in September. Students of the city’s fifth charter school will occupy four classrooms and other space on the first floor of the former mill building.
Philip’s Academy Charter School operates a namesake middle school in Newark. Paterson education advocates have criticized charter schools for draining millions of dollars from the Paterson Public Schools’ budget.
This year, the Paterson Public Schools will transfer $34 million to the charter schools in the city.
The state also granted final approval on Friday to Cresthaven Academy Charter School for Plainfield and Hudson Arts and Science Charter School for Kearny and Jersey City.
Cresthaven Academy Charter School will begin with 75 students in kindergarten before expanding to enroll 40 students in K-3 grades.
Hudson Arts and Science Charter School will begin with 360 students in K-5 Grades. In its fourth year it will have 540 students in K-8 grades, according to the state.
“More New Jersey students and families will have access to high-quality public school options with the addition of these new charter schools,” said Education Commissioner David Hespe. “This Administration continues to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to providing better school choices and educational opportunities for parents and their children.”
Charter schools undergo a multi-stage review process including preparedness visit, review of school’s academic, and operational components before a final charter is granted to ensure a school is ready to provide high-quality educational program from the day it opens for students.
The three new school pushes up the number of charter schools in New Jersey to 88. In September, there will be 50,328 charter school seats available to New Jersey students.