2 Mercer County Charter Schools Get State Nod To Expand

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Two charter schools based in Mercer County received good news this week from the NJ Department of Education (DOE).

The Murphy administration granted expansion approvals to Achievers Early College Prep Charter School and Paul Robeson Charter School. In total, 11 public charter schools in the state received expansion approvals. Most of the schools are located in some of the state’s poorest districts.

The Mercer County-based schools will now be able to offer more grade levels and seats for students.

Ninth graders at Achievers will now be able to continue their education in 10th grade.

“My child has blossomed at our charter school in Trenton,” Diana Martinez, a parent at Achievers said in a statement. “She is currently on a path to receive college credits and industry credentials at the same time she receives her high school diploma and we are beyond thrilled that she will have that opportunity at Achievers.”

The state’s charter schools have thousands of prospective students on its waitlist. More than 28,000 students are currently on waitlists, according to the data collected by the NJDOE.

“We applaud the Murphy Administration for evaluating the data and making performance-based decisions that will put thousands of students on the path to educational success. Communities win when we increase public school options that have a track record of meeting students’ needs,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO of the NJ Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA).

Last year hundreds of students and parents gathered at the State House Annex in Trenton to protest the state’s denial to expand the schools. More: Charter Schools Rally In Mercer, Protest State Denial To Expand

The NJPCSA had argued that the state’s denial will displace hundreds of low-income families of color from attending high-performing schools.

Among charter school students, 46 percent are Black, 39 percent are Hispanic and 71 percent are from low-income households.

“These decisions will allow thousands of Black and Latino children throughout the Garden State to get the education that best meets their individual needs,” said TJ Best, Senior Advisor of NJPCSA.

According to the charter school association, Black and Latino students enrolled in charter schools are twice as likely to be proficient in English language arts and math compared to their district peer.

Achievers and Paul Robeson Charter schools received $1.5 million each in grants from the US Department of Education in January. More: $3M In State Grant For 2 Mercer County Charter Schools

These funds will be reinvested to allow more students access to the schools in Trenton, the NJPCSA said.

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