The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) recently approved two new charter school applications, one each in Middlesex and Mercer counties.
Each approved charter school applicant must now complete the NJDOE’s preparedness review before a final charter is granted and the school is allowed to open. This review determines whether the approved applicant has the academic, fiscal and organizational components in place to ensure high-quality educational outcomes for each and every student.
If final charters are granted in July 2018, the two new charter schools would open for the 2018- 2019 school year. The schools are Achievers Early College Prep Charter School, located in Trenton, and Middlesex County STEM Charter School, located in Perth Amboy.
There are currently 89 charter schools operating in New Jersey, with 56,201 authorized seats.
The newly-approved charter applications are:
| Charter Schools (Date approved to open) | District(s) Served | Year 1 Grades (Enrollment Projection) | Year 4 Grades (Enrollment Projection) |
| Achievers Early College Prep Charter School (September 2018) | Trenton | 6th (90 students) | 6th-9th (360 students) |
| Middlesex County STEM Charter School (September 2018) | Perth Amboy | K-2nd (180 students) | K-5th (360 students) |