Princeton Charter School is a public school in Princeton Township, New Jersey, operated under a charter granted on January 15, 1997 by the Commissioner of Education of the State of New Jersey, Leo Klagholz. The school's charter was renewed on February 1, 2001 by Commissioner David Hespe.
Princeton Charter School is a public school, offering a free, academically rigorous education to students in kindergarten through grade eight. Admission to PCS is offered on an equal basis to all residents of Princeton Township and Princeton Borough; since every year the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available, admission is by random lottery.
On September 17, 2004, the United States Department of Education named Princeton Charter School a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School The award recognizes the school as a national model of excellence, meeting the nation's goals of high standards and accountability. To be recognized, a school must demonstrate a strong commitment to both excellence and equity.
The Blue Ribbon award was not the first time Princeton Charter School received national recognition for its commitment to excellence, equity, and accountability. In April of 2002, PCS became the first charter school in the nation accredited by the American Academy of Liberal Education.
In April 2004, the New Jersey Department of Education gave Princeton Charter School the 2004 Charter School of Distinction Award, which recognizes the charter school that has a consistently outstanding record of performance as measured by high student achievement and school accomplishments, exemplary teaching practices, effective and efficient administrative leadership, and solid governance.
In June 2004, Princeton Charter School's world language program in French was given a Best Practices award. This award-winning program was developed by the school's French teachers, Marta Toma and Sova Fisher.