3 Newark Charter Schools Ordered To Shut Down: New Jersey DOE

NEWARK, NJ — A trio of “low-performing” Newark charter schools have been ordered to shut their doors at the end of the year, the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) announced Wednesday.

The three schools - Newark Prep Charter School, Paulo Friere Charter School, and Merit Prep Charter School – had all been on probation prior to the decision, according to the DOE.

Administrators at the Paulo Friere Charter School issued a statement about the DOE decision on Thursday.

“We are quite disheartened by Acting Commissioner Harrington’s decision with regard to the Paulo Freire Charter School. We feel that the decision is not reflective of the school’s true accomplishments or the efforts of our hardworking students, parents/guardians and staff. In fact, throughout the past year, we all have worked diligently to improve in the three areas identified by Commissioner Hespe last year as the cause of our probation: Instruction, School Climate/Culture and Assessment.”

The statement continued:

“As a result of these inspection and assessment improprieties by the OFCS, our board is in the process of reviewing its legal options on the closing directive and will pursue this matter within the constructs of the law. Unfortunately, as this matter works its way through our legal system, there will be very little we can do with regard to saving our school for our current students and staff. However, it is our hope that we will be able to at least get justice for our students, their families, and our dedicated teaching staff and administrative team.”

Read the full statement here.

Jeff Kwitowski, a spokesman for K12 Inc., which provides curriculum and school programs for Newark Prep, told NJ.com that the decision comes as a shock.

“School officials had multiple conversations and several site visits with department officials over the past couple months, and no indication was given that the department was planning to close the school,” Kwitowski said.

According to the DOE, if a school does not meet academic, fiscal and organizational standards that are outlined in its initial charter application and performance framework, the agency will make the decision to close the school.

“When this does happen, the top priority is ensuring that students are not disrupted by this closure,” the agency’s website states. “The NJDOE works with local public schools, both district and charter, to find a school that meets the needs of each individual student.”

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