Philip’s Academy Charter School Opens

Yesterday Philip's Academy Charter School made history as it opened its doors to 372 students for the first official day of class as a new charter school. The school is the first to convert to charter status from an independent school under a New Jersey Law passed in 2011. Designed as a regional charter school, enrollment is open to any child living within the districts of Newark, East Orange and Irvington. The school does not charge tuition.

Converting from St. Philip's Academy to Philip's Academy Charter School enables the organization to extend its successful educational model to more students. Since 1988, the school has inspired within its students a love of learning and intellectual curiosity using innovative learning techniques that serve as the building blocks for success. The school's EcoSPACES program, for example, includes a 4,600-square-foot rooftop garden, teaching kitchen, fiber arts component, an indoor farming lab and a unique food service and education program which promotes a seed-to-table lifestyle. It was featured as a positive example in the movie, Soul Food Junkie.

Charter schools are public schools that receive state approval to operate and have greater freedom to design an environment and curriculum they believe will best serve students' needs. Charter schools do not charge tuition, don't require any entrance exams or interviews, and are open to all students in the district who wish to attend, including students with disabilities and English Language Learners.