Dear Parents/Guardians,
We invite you to consider enrolling your child in Princeton Charter School (PCS) for next year. Every fall, PCS accepts applications for the following school year for students who will be in kindergarten through grade eight.
Publicly funded and tuition-free, Princeton Charter School's mission is to provide its diverse student body the best possible education by focusing on the fundamental academic disciplines in an atmosphere that affirms academic achievement, and in so doing, to offer the community true choice in public education.
All children are welcome at Princeton Charter School. There are no tests or other barriers to admission. Students who live in the Princeton Regional School district have first priority for enrollment. If there are more applicants than available spaces, a random lottery will be held in early January to select students and to establish the waiting list. Once enrolled in the school, students are guaranteed enrollment each subsequent year through the eighth grade. Younger siblings of enrolled resident students have priority over other applicants provided they apply to the school when first eligible.
PCS believes that all children learn best when taught a systematic curriculum that sets high standards and builds steadily from year to year. In the early grades, reading, writing, and mathematics are top priorities. Through regular testing, PCS identifies students who need extra help or extra challenge. The daily schedule includes time for in-school tutoring, to help all students keep up with their class. Students with limited English proficiency receive appropriate help, and students with special education needs receive services per their Individualized Educational Plans.
In addition to providing an excellent education, PCS has wonderful facilities and programs to enrich the educational experience. The school has a high-school quality science laboratory, and a campus center with space for the arts, student performances, and indoor recreation. Our playing fields are home to PCS cross country, field hockey, and lacrosse teams while the PCS boy's and girl's basketball teams also enjoy a full schedule of games against other area schools. PCS offers after-school enrichment including an acclaimed, award-winning chess team, MathCounts, music, drama, and a variety of clubs.
We're delivering on our promise to provide excellence and choice in public education. During its recent evaluation, the state commend the "strong academic progress, faithfulness to the provision of the original charter, and the school's thorough examination of its results to guide improvement." Princeton Charter School's dedication to supporting and challenging every student was recognized by the United States Department of Education on September 17, 2004, when they named PCS 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.
Find out more about the school's superb programs and achievement-oriented philosophy by attending an Open House in November or December. One Open House is on a Saturday and one is on a Sunday. Please check our calendar for the exact dates. The school will be open from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. the faculty will give a presentation about the school. Teachers, students, parents, and members of the board of trustees will be available to describe the academic program and to answer questions. If you are unable to attend any of these events, please call the school office at 924-0575 and leave your name and address to receive information and an application. Information is also available on the school's web site, http://www.pcs.k12.nj.us.
Completed applications (one for each child) should be mailed or delivered to Princeton Charter School, 100 Bunn Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540 and must be received at PCS by the deadline in early January. All applications are confidential.
The Trustees of PCS hope you will consider PCS for your child's education.