The schools announced today will increase the state's total by about a third Complete list by county
TRENTON — New Jersey's Department of Education has approved 23 new charter schools, Gov. Chris Christie announced today.
Charter schools, which are public schools operated independently of a local school district, have been increasing in number across the state and the nation, although experts differ on whether children in charter schools perform better than kids in "regular" public schools.
Last year the state approved just six charter schools, but this past fall the Department of Education received 50 applications. The batch of 23 announced today is the largest approved in a single year, increasing the state's total by about one third.
Christie is visiting the Robert Treat Academy in Newark today, one of the state's top-performing charter schools. The governor has long been a supporter of the schools, making them a key facet of his education reform agenda.
On Monday, a Star-Ledger survey of educational data found well over half of the state’s charter school classes outperformed their local school district counterparts on standardized tests.
There are about 73 charter schools operating in New Jersey now, most in urban areas, serving varying grade levels.
Christie touts them as a way to provide an innovative learning environment for children struck in chronically failing schools and said his office will work to open more.
"Last year New Jersey opened six charter schools," Christie said at a town hall in Paramus last week. "It’s going to change significantly. Hopefully that movement will continue to grow."
Latest Christie Administration Charter School Approvals: View complete descriptions for each school here
Atlantic County
• Atlantic City Community Charter School:K-8 (950) Atlantic City
• Atlantic Preparatory Charter School: 9-12 (552) Atlantic City
• Global Visions: K-4 (165) Egg Harbor City, Galloway Township, Mullica Township
Bergen County
• Shalom: K-8 (240) Englewood, Teaneck
Burlington County
• Willingboro: K-5, 9-12 (410) Willingboro
Camden County
• Camden Community Charter School: K-8 (950) Camden
• New Jersey Virtual: 10-12 (300) Camden, Perth Amboy, Neptune Township, Paterson
Cumberland County
• Millville: K-5 (216)
Essex County
• Arete:K-4 (300) East Orange, Orange
• Forest Hill Charter School: K-8 (80) Newark
• Great Oaks: 6-10 (331) Newark
• Martha Palmer Chaneyfield Charter School: K-4 (400) Newark
• New Day Charter High School: 9-12 (100) Newark
• New Jersey Virtual Academy: K-12 (1200) Newark
• People’s Prep: 9-12 (380) Newark
• Roseville Community: K-4 (330) Newark
• Spirit Prep: 9-12 (600) East Orange, Irvington, Newark
• Vailsburg Prep: 9-12 (600) Newark
Gloucester County
• Kingdom: K-6 (210) Gloucester Township
Hudson County
• Dr. Lena Edwards: K-8 (396) Jersey City
• M.E.T.S.: K-6 (210) Jersey City
Salem County
• Bright Horizon Charter School: K-8 (306) Penns Grove-Carneys Point
Union County
• Dr. Therman Evans Charter School for Excellence: 6-8 (225) Linden, Elizabeth, Roselle
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie wants every N.J. county to develop a school for children with autism
• Gov. Christie pushes five-year performance review for teachers
• N.J. Supreme Court requests 'special master' to look into legality of Christie's education cuts
• Christie praises D.C. schools chief, shows support for education reform plan
• Suit challenges N.J. Department of Education's role in delaying review of superintendent contracts
• N.J. superintendents group sues to block Gov. Christie's planned salary cap