Link Community Charter School In Newark Marks 50 Year Anniversary

NEWARK, NJ — More than 300 students, educators and elected officials rang in a new school year at Link Community Charter earlier this year, marking a big milestone: 50 years.

The Newark Charter School Fund (NCSF) joined Link Community Charter School on Sept. 3 to celebrate Link’s 50th first day of school. Students, educators and elected officials enjoyed breakfast and participated in a “Morning Circle,” Link’s signature event, in which Head of School Maria Paradiso discussed the school’s history and its vision for the future.

“The Newark Charter School Fund is thrilled to celebrate this milestone with Link Community Charter School,” said Executive Director Michele Mason.

Mason said 82 percent of scholars at the school receiving free or reduced lunch, which provides a big benefit to the local community.

“The Newark Charter School Fund is honored to play a part in providing educational opportunities to these deserving students,” Mason said.

The NCSF provided the following background about the school’s half-century of history:

"In 1967, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell began Project Link in hopes of healing the city from devastating civic unrest through their commitment to social justice and education. Over the next two years, Project Link became an Educational Center and opened its doors to 50 7th graders. The first principal was named in 1991, and by 1997, Project Link was named Link Community Charter School. After a full review of the programs and results by the New Jersey Department of Education in 2017, a school expansion was approved, bringing the total number of seats to 320. Maintaining the vision first established by the Dominican Sisters, Link educators strive for social justice and educational equity for Newark students. Link’s success is measured by the changed lives of over 3,000 students who have walked their halls."

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