Princeton Charter School
Address
100 Bunn Drive

Princeton
,
New Jersey
Coordinates40°22′09.2″N 74°39′25.3″W / 40.369222°N 74.657028°W / 40.369222; -74.657028
Information
TypeCharter School
Religious affiliation(s)None
Established1997
HeadmasterLawrence D. Patton
Faculty37.8 FTEs[1]
Enrollment400 (as of 2017–18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio10.6:1[1]
Campus7 acres (2.8 ha)
Color(s)Red/Black
MascotHawk
Websiteprincetoncharter.org

The Princeton Charter School (PCS) is a K-8 Charter school in Princeton, New Jersey. Admission to the school is by lottery, available to all residents of the town, and free of charge. The school was founded in 1997, following the passage, by the New Jersey Legislature, of the Charter School Program Act of 1995. From the original class of 72, the school has grown to around 400 students. Students from the school go on to Princeton High School or one of several private schools in and around Princeton.[2] The Charter School is a top academic performer statewide, especially in standardized testing, with 91% of students proficient in math and 92% of students proficient in reading.[3] In 2019, the school was ranked as having the best teachers in the state by Niche.com.[4][5] The main focus of Princeton Charter School's academics is on "core academic skills", with an emphasis on English and mathematics, which meet daily for one hour, while classes such as history and science meet daily for 45 minutes.[6] A silent reading period is built into the schedule for students to receive individual help,[7] as well as three recess period for all grades.[8]

As of the 2017–18 school year, the school had an enrollment of 400 students and 37.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.6:1.[1] There are about 50 students in each grade, with smaller class sizes intended to provide a more "close-knit" atmosphere for students, and to allow them “to be known and to feel known”.[8]

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics,[9] for 2022-2023 school year there were 422 students enrolled at PCS, Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity was Asian (200), White (143), Hispanic (16), Black (16), two or more races (46), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (3), and Native American (0). There were 40 students in kindergarten, while the largest classes were 4th-8th with 50 (there were 48 students in the 7th grade). There were 203 male students and 219 female students.

History

Founding

The idea of the school was conceived in 1996 following the passage of the Charter School Program Act of 1995 by a group of local parents who wanted a “rigorous curricula, with well-defined grade-by-grade outcomes in line with state, national, and international standards, focusing on cumulative acquisition of knowledge and skills in academic areas.” After trying to work through the local schools, the decision was made to establish a charter school.[8] This announcement was controversial, especially on the local school board, which feared that the school would be a financial drain on the school district's resources. On October 14, 1997, the Regional Board of Education passed a resolution urging the state Department of Education to "deny any waivers or changes that would increase the approved rate of growth of the Princeton Charter School."[10] In November, School Board Vice President Michael Littman stated that the school board's policy would be "to interact with the Charter School at the minimum level required by law."[11] Reasons for the opposition were based on fears of lack of accountability and a negative financial impact on Princeton Public Schools.[12]

Once the charter was drawn up, the founders searched for employees and a building, settling on a former office building in North Princeton, which was purchased for 2.8 million dollars. In May 1997, the school hired its first Head of School, Charles Marsee.

A third of all parents with children eligible for the school applied, and the school opened in 1997. In its first year, the school had high test scores, and the second school year began in 1998.[13]

Early years

Princeton Charter School was the first charter school in the nation accredited by the American Academy of Liberal Education when it was accredited in 2002.[14]

In September of that year, the school completed its K-4 building and opened it to students. That same month, the United States Department of Education named Princeton Charter School a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School. Five years later, work began on the campus center addition.[14][13][15]

Expansion

2016 expansion proposal

The school completed the campus center addition in 2010.[15] In late 2016, Princeton Charter School submitted a request to the New Jersey Department of Education to expand enrollment by 76 students within two years, planning as well to introduce a weighted lottery, prompting debate and legal action from Princeton Public Schools. On March 20, 2018, Princeton Public Schools board member Dafna Kendal proposed that PPS would cease its litigation if PCS agreed to limit its number of admitted students. In response, Paul Josephson, president of the PCS Board of Trustees, emphasized that the spot of any student offered admission would be protected, but refused to directly answer Kendal's proposal. [16][17][18]

The expansion, currently under construction, will add four classrooms, a new cafeteria, and an expanded parking lot. Additionally, two amphitheaters will be added, as well as new playground equipment and a relocated basketball court. Electric vehicle charging stations are also being considered for the parking lot.[19]

COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Princeton Charter School switched to a remote learning schedule starting March 16, 2020.[20]

Education program

Mission

Princeton Charter School's mission statement claims that the school aims to "provide its diverse student body the best possible education by focusing on the fundamental academic disciplines in an atmosphere that affirms academic achievement and, in so doing, to offer the community true choice in public education."[2]

Admission

Princeton Charter School admits students through a lottery system, weighted for students who are economically disadvantaged in order to "reduce achievement gaps by eliminating an important cause — the insufficient mastery of basic knowledge and skills required for further academic achievement.” The lottery system also has a sibling preference, in which a student's sibling can be admitted to the school without their name being drawn, which according to Head of School Lawrence Patton "played a significant part in increasing the number of economically disadvantaged students".[8]

Curriculum

Princeton Charter School places great emphasis on teaching students in their younger years, and begins serious education earlier than many other schools. The curriculum mostly focuses on language arts, mathematics, science, history and geography, foreign languages, and the arts.[21]

Students must complete certain "milestones" for each grade. For example, the first grade English milestone requires students to be able to read a text at the level of Dr. Seuss, the sixth-grade physical education milestone involves running a half-mile, and the eighth-grade French milestone consists of a presentation given about a work of art.[22]

The curriculum is reviewed in all subjects by parents, educators, and outside experts as part of the school's Curriculum Committee process.[8]

Sports

Princeton Charter School has a variety of sports teams, listed below:

Cross country home meets are held at the nearby Smoyer Park.[24] Field Hockey and soccer home games are held on the athletic field.[25]

Clubs

Princeton Charter School has a variety of clubs, including a jazz ensemble for grades 5-8[26] and a Mathcounts team, as well as an orchestra, piano ensemble, an art club, and a chess club.[27] The school's National Science Bowl team won the regional finals in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023 and moved on to the national competition in Washington, D.C.[28][29] The school's Operation Smile club, founded in 2017, was named "Best New Club of the Year" at Operation Smile's International Student Leadership Conference in July 2018.[30]

Administration

The administration of Princeton Charter School consists of the head of school and two assistant heads of school, one in charge of the K-4 Division, one in charge of the 5-8 Division. The current head of school is Lawrence Patton, while the K-4 and 5-8 assistant heads of school are Gail Wilbur and Lisa Eckstrom, respectively.[31]

The interior of the Princeton Charter School Campus Center, facing the field

Campus

The school is located on a seven-acre plot in north-western Princeton. There are two main school buildings, the 5-8 building, a three-story former office building renovated between 1997 and 1999, and the K-4 building, designed by Princeton University architect Ralph Lerner.

Other buildings

In 2010, the Campus Center addition was completed, a 17,000 square foot facility including a black-box theater, a gymnasium, and art classrooms. All students have daily classes in the Campus Center.

The administrative offices are located in the Marsee Center, an 1800s farmhouse at the north end of the campus named for former head of school Charles Marsee. The campus also contains a large field, used for sports, and a playground.[15]

Transportation

Princeton Charter School's transportation is mainly provided by the regional school district.[2]

Panorama of the campus (from left to right: Marsee Center, Campus Center, 5-8 building, K-4 building)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 District information for Princeton Charter School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 1, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "History and Mission". Princeton Charter School.
  3. ↑ "Explore Princeton Charter School". Niche. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  4. ↑ "Princeton Charter School Has Best Teachers In NJ". Princeton, NJ Patch. 2019-10-14. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  5. ↑ "New Jersey Department of Education, School Report Card" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Education School Report Card. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "History and Mission". pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  7. ↑ "FAQs :: FAQs". pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Q&A with Lawrence Patton, Head of School at Princeton Charter School | Princeton Magazine". Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  9. ↑ "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Princeton Charter School". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  10. ↑ "School Board Asks The State to Curb Charter School Growth". Town Topics. 22 October 1997.
  11. ↑ "Charter School Viewed As A Threat To Regional School Board's Power". Town Topics. 26 November 1997.
  12. ↑ "Anti Charter School Report: Six Reasons For Rejecting The Charter School For Its Negative Impact On The Community". Town Topics. 18 December 1996.
  13. 1 2 "Founding Principals, Founding Principles of the Princeton Charter School". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-05.
  14. 1 2 "Princeton Charter School". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  15. 1 2 3 "Campus". pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  16. ↑ Truong, Ivy (April 6, 2018). "Princeton Public, Charter schools reach settlement". The Daily Princetonian. p. 1.
  17. ↑ "Why the Only Charter School in Princeton, N.J. is Now a Flash Point". Washington Post.
  18. ↑ http://www3.princetonk12.org/FOV2-000271C7/057B9C31-000F50D3.4/FAQ%20on%20the%20Proposed%20PCS%20Expansion.pdf
  19. ↑ Kahn, Lea; Writer, Staff (2019-12-14). "Princeton Planning Board grants revised charter school expansion". centraljersey.com. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  20. ↑ @PtonCharter (March 16, 2020). "Sixth grade students successfully navigating the new and unusual reality of distance learning! #wearePCSproud…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ↑ "Princeton Charter School :: Education Program". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  22. ↑ http://www.pcs.k12.nj.us/academics/PCSmilestones.pdf
  23. ↑ "Teams". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  24. ↑ "Princeton Charter School :: Calendar Event". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  25. ↑ "Princeton Charter School :: Calendar Event". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  26. ↑ "Princeton Charter School :: Calendar Event". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  27. ↑ "Clubs at PCS". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  28. ↑ "Princeton Charter Defends Science Bowl, Will Go to D.C. for National Competition | Town Topics". Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  29. ↑ "Princeton Charter School Takes Home Science Bowl Win For 4th Straight Year | Town Topics". Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  30. ↑ "Princeton Charter School :: Calendar Event". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  31. ↑ "Faculty and Staff". pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
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