New Jersey renews 13 charter schools but flunks three others

Thirteen of 16 charter schools up for renewal this year have been approved by the Christie administration, but three others – including one of the state’s oldest, in Jersey City – had their renewals denied.

The Liberty Charter School in Jersey City, in its 14th year, was rejected over what the state said was a poor record of student achievement and limited evidence that it could improve.

Even among the schools approved for renewal, four had expansion plans rejected and three others were put on probation.

Just one school, the Vineland Public Charter School, saw its full proposal for expansion approved, according to the list released late yesterday.

Following are charter schools up for renewal, along with the administration’s rulings for each one. The non-renewals can be appealed to the state education commissioner.

*Charter Tech High School (Somers Point) – Renewal approved

*Discovery Charter School (Newark) – Renewal approved

*Ethical Community Charter School (Jersey City) – Renewal approved, with expansion to Grade 5 only

*Freedom Academy Charter School (Camden) — Probation extended, final decision pending

*Institute for Excellence Charter School (Winslow) – Renewal denied

*Liberty Academy Charter School (Jersey City) — Renewal denied

*Maria Varisco-Rogers Charter School (Newark) – Renewal approved, with expansion denied

*Marion P. Thomas Charter School (Newark) – Renewal approved, with expansion denied

*New Horizons Community Charter School (Newark) – Renewal approved, with probation; expansion denied

*Newark Educators Charter School (Newark) – Renewal approved, with probation; expansion denied

*Oceanside Charter School (Atlantic City) – Renewal denied

*Pace Charter School of Hamilton (Trenton) – Renewal approved, with expansion

*Ridge and Valley Charter School (Blairstown) – Renewal approved, with probation

*Riverbank Charter School (Florence) – Renewal approved

*Village Charter School (Trenton) – Renewal approved

*Vineland Public Charter School (Vineland) – Renewal approved, with expansion.

________________________________________________________

NJ Spotlight, an independent online news service on issues critical to New Jersey, makes its in-depth reporting available to NewsWorks.