Princeton Charter School

The Princeton Charter School 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 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]

Princeton Charter School
Address
100 Bunn Drive

Princeton
,
New Jersey
Coordinates40°22′09.2″N 74°39′25.3″W
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

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]

1990s

In 1996, a group of parents who believed most schools in area focused on student self-esteem more than academic achievement met together and started planning to open a new charter school in Princeton. This announcement led to a wave of controversy, especially on the local school board, fearing that the school would be a financial drain on their resources. Once the charter was drawn up, the founders looked around for employees and a building. They settled 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.[8]

2000s

In 2003, the school constructed its K-4 building and opened it to students. Five years later, work began on the campus center addition.[8][9]

2010s and 2020s

The school completed the campus center addition in 2010.[9] In the latter half of the decade, Princeton Charter School caused controversy when it applied for an expansion, prompting debate in the town and an article in The Washington Post.[10]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Princeton Charter School switched to a remote learning schedule starting March 16th, 2020.[11]

Education program

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.[12]

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.[13]

Sports

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

Cross country home meets are held at the nearby Smoyer Park.[15] Field Hockey and soccer home games are held on the athletic field.[16]

Clubs

Princeton Charter School has a variety of clubs, including a jazz ensemble for grades 5-8[17] and a Mathcounts team, as well as an orchestra, piano ensemble, an art club, and a chess club.[18] The school's National Science Bowl team won the regional finals in 2019 and 2020 and moved on to the national competition in Washington, D.C.[19] 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.[20]

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 Lisa Eckstrom and Gail Wilbur, respectively.[21]

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. The campus also contains a large field, used for sports, and a playground.[9]

Panorama of the campus

References
  1. District information for Princeton Charter School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 1, 2019.
  2. "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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ5m_CdpRTQ
  9. "Campus". pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  10. "Why the Only Charter School in Princeton, N.J. is Now a Flash Point". Washington Post.
  11. https://twitter.com/PtonCharter/status/1239617966926422019
  12. "Princeton Charter School :: Education Program". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  13. http://www.pcs.k12.nj.us/academics/PCSmilestones.pdf
  14. "Teams". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  15. "Princeton Charter School :: Calendar Event". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  16. "Princeton Charter School :: Calendar Event". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  17. "Princeton Charter School :: Calendar Event". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  18. "Clubs at PCS". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  19. "Princeton Charter Defends Science Bowl, Will Go to D.C. for National Competition | Town Topics". Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  20. "Princeton Charter School :: Calendar Event". www.pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  21. "Faculty and Staff". pcs.k12.nj.us. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
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