#SameKidsSameNeeds

Every public school student in New Jersey deserves to learn in a SAFE, HEALTHY, and SECURE school building.

Public charter schools have never received dedicated facilities funding and spend, on average, $2,000 per student in operating dollars on their buildings. This is funding that should be going to increase teacher salaries, classroom supplies and technology.

Just like all other public schools, public charter and renaissance schools need to upgrade boilers, replace windows and roofs, and increase space in aging buildings and over $1 billion in charter facilities needs have been identified over the next decade.

Here’s the truth:

The students who attend public charter and renaissance schools in New Jersey are the same students who attend district schools.

Public charter and renaissance schools educate 1 in 5 students in Schools Development Authority (SDA) districts (New Jersey’s 31 most under-resourced school districts).
91% of public charter and renaissance school students in SDA districts are students of color.
76% of public charter and renaissance school students in SDA districts qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Nearly 30 public charter school buildings in New Jersey are 100 years old or older.

"The students who attend public charter schools are the same students who attend district schools. They are friends, neighbors and in many cases, siblings."

Harry Lee

NJPCSA President and CEO

Learn more about New Jersey’s public charter schools and read more media coverage here.