Largest Number of Charter Schools Approved in Single Year

NEWARK - During ribbon cutting ceremonies for the SPARK Academy Charter School, Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that the New Jersey Department of Education has approved eight new charter schools. The successful applicants can now begin planning and start-up activities leading to new school openings next September.

"Today is a milestone for TEAM Academy Charter Schools, and the SPARK Academy Charter School - a school with great promise to provide a quality education for its students," said Governor Corzine. "I'm equally proud to announce that the State of New Jersey has just approved eight new charter schools, which by this time next year, will serve nearly 1,000 new students. We look forward to partnering with these new charter schools and the charter school community, as well as our traditional school partners."

The eight schools were among 27 applications received by the New Jersey Department of Education in April.  This is the largest number of charter schools approved in a single year since 1999.

The approved schools are:

• Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (Hoboken)
• Trillium Charter School (Hunterdon County)
• Academy for Urban Leadership Charter School (Perth Amboy)
• Hatikvah International Academy Charter School (East Brunswick)
• Charter High School for Environmental and Civics Studies (Teaneck)
• Barack Obama Green Charter School (Plainfield)
• Visions Academy Charter High School (Newark)
• Newark Legacy Charter School (Newark)

Since 2006, the number of charter schools has increased by 34 percent while student enrollment rose almost 55 percent. Currently, there are 68 charter schools operating in New Jersey. Today's approvals will bring that total to 76. Approximately 14,496 students attended charter schools in 2006. That number is projected to increase to more than 22,000 by October 2009.

Governor Corzine recently directed Education Commissioner Lucille Davy to review the charter school approval process and announced a recommendation to implement a new expedited charter approval process. Last week, the State Board of Education gave proposal-level approval to new regulations that would allow for a fast-track approval process for certain qualified charter school applicants with past experience in running successful charter schools.  This will reduce the timeframe from application to opening from about 18 months to about 10 months for applicants deemed to be well-prepared and well-positioned to move forward.

"New Jersey employs a rigorous review process for charter school applicants because we owe it to families to ensure that the schools they are choosing for their children have the greatest promise for quality and continuity," said Education Commissioner Lucille Davy.  "Our review of applications under this alternative process will be no less rigorous.  The only difference is that applications will be received earlier and we will provide answers more quickly."

Charter schools are public schools operated by a charter granted by the Commissioner of Education. A charter school is open to all students on a space-available basis with preference being given to students from the district of residence or region of residence of the charter school.  All classroom teachers and professional support staff must hold appropriate New Jersey certification.

More information on the eight charter applications approved today is available at:  http://www.nj.gov/education/chartsch/app/docs/2009ApprovedApplicationList.pdf 

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