Social Issue- Education

Social Issue in Perth Amboy: Education

Charter Schools within Central Jersey

            A charter school for middle-school students in Linden, Elizabeth, and Roselle has recently received state approval. Also, a virtual school will serve high school dropouts from Perth Amboy, Camden, Neptune and Paterson. The charter school and virtual school’s main focus is on character, leadership and culture. For those who don’t know, charter schools are schools that receive public money, and sometimes private donations, but do not have to have the same rules and regulations as other schools. They usually specialize in certain criteria’s like, English, Mathematics, or any other subjects in school that students tend to need more focus on. For the most part, they are usually open to all students.

              The Dr. Therman Evans Charter School for Excellence in Union County and the New Jersey Virtual School for students in grades 10-12 are just two of the twenty three charter schools to be approved. The New Jersey Virtual School for 10th-12th grade students, that will also be ran in Perth Amboy is expected to begin its operations in 2012. However; it could be earlier. The virtual program will be taught on online classes. The classes will follow New Jersey content core standards. When the schools begin, students will meet twice at week at local community colleges with high school guidance counselors and a resource team.

            The Dr. Therman Evans Charter School for Excellence will be offering a program that focuses on character, leadership and culture for students in middle school students in grades sixth through eighth. The school is named for Evans, a physician, professor and pastor of Morning Star Community Christian Church in Linden since 1999. “Increasing the opportunity and choice available to families is crucial to reforming the education system and building a foundation for excellence” says Chris Cerf, acting state education commissioner.

New Jersey Virtual School will join another charter in Perth Amboy, the Academy for Urban Leadership Charter High School. The academy opened in the fall of 2010. It is the former site of the St. Michael Byzantine Rite Catholic School. Overall, these charter schools are great for the towns of Linden, Roselle, and Perth Amboy. They provide benefits for these students to excel in fields that they need help with in regular public schools. It is a great opportunity and experience for these children, especially those who feel neglected by their communities.