Marion P. Thomas Charter School

“It is exciting to see true sisterhood develop amongst the young girls in my class.

Not only are they maturing as individuals but they are evolving academically, socially and emotionally.

They are also learning to collaborate to resolve issues; help each other excel and maintain friendships. I am confident these girls are positioned to do great things.�

-Keisha Slaughter SELECT 5th Grade Teacher

Marion P. Thomas Charter Schools MPTC Elementary School |370 S. 7th St. SELECT Elementary Academy at MPTCS | 88 Shipman St. MPTC Middle School | 570 Broad St. MPTC High School of Culinary and Performing Arts |125 Sussex Ave.

Marion P. Thomas Charter School: Our Story

Our History: Marion P. Thomas Charter School (MPTCS), the largest minority led, independently- operated free public charter school in New Jersey, was established by the community, to serve the community and improve the community. At MPTCS, the school leaders reflect both its student population and the neighborhoods it serves.

The impetus for MPTCS began in the pews of one of Newark’s oldest faith-based institutions, The New Hope Baptist Church. More than 20 years ago, the late Rev. Dr. Charles E. Thomas, former pastor of New Hope, urged his congregation to take on the challenge of developing a quality educational option for Newark’s youth. After years of planning and fundraising, Pastor Thomas’ vision became a reality when the school opened its doors to 60 kindergarten to second grade students in 1999. Unfortunately, Pastor Thomas’ wife, Marion, an early champion of the school, succumbed to cancer before the school opened its doors. To memorialize her commitment to Newark’s future generations the school was named in her honor.

Within 10 years, MPTCS grew from four classrooms to two campuses, encompassing kindergarten to 8th grade. In 2014, MPTCS merged with Visions Academy Charter High School, another charter school established by a historic faith-based institution – St. James AME Church. The consolidation united both schools into one entity that provides a “crayons to college and career” educational experience allowing students to move seamlessly from kindergarten through 12th grade. MPTCS now has four campuses – two elementary schools, a middle school and high school – and a student body of 1400+ students.

Our Mission: By every means necessary, our mission is to be a 21st century village that is responsive to the needs of students, parents, staff and the Newark community at large, where scholars are college and career ready, globally aware, and fully equipped to lead in an evolving society.

Our Motto: It takes a whole village to raise a child Our Educational Philosophy: The Marion P. Thomas Charter School’s core educational culture stems from deep organic roots in Newark and an overarching goal to improve the community at-large through education. MPTCS believes that all students learn when accountable stakeholders create a disciplined and focused learning environment.

Instruction is therefore delivered and developed through data-analysis and a projectbased curriculum designed to prepare students for college and career readiness.

I T TA K E S A V I L L A G E : D R . K A R E N THOM AS, CEO & CO - FO UNDER

Dr. Karen Young-Thomas’ New Jersey roots have kept her firmly focused and committed to the empowerment of the Newark community, where she was born and raised. She helped found the Marion P. Thomas Charter School more than 17 years ago to offer Newark’s youngest residents a new educational alternative to their local public schools. Dr. Thomas oversees all aspects of operations at MPTCS and spearheaded the school’s growth from four classrooms serving 60 students to four campuses educating more than 1,300 students. Dr. Thomas is also an innovative leader, following her doctoral dissertation on the impact of single gender instruction on bridging the educational gap between African American boys and their peers, Dr. Thomas established the pilot program for SELECT (Scholars Electing Lifelong Education, Character and Transformation).

SELECT is a single-gender program that seeks to address the different learning styles of boys and girls and incorporates various teaching methods that are differentiated for each gender. The classes have led to a decrease in discipline problems and an increase in student achievement. To offer support to MPTCS’ graduates, in 2008, Dr. Thomas established the Marion P. Thomas Charter School Foundation, to fund scholarships in support of graduating MPTCS students furthering their education.

Prior to founding and leading MPTCS, Dr. Thomas was the Marketing Director for ESSENCE magazine and owner of RK Productions marketing firm. Dr. Thomas holds a Doctorate in Urban Leadership from Kean University, where she also earned her MA in Educational Leadership with a certification as a School Business Administrator. She is also currently an adjunct professor in the Nathan Weiss Graduate School of Education.

Additionally, she holds a graduate degree from New York University in special events and marketing, where she previously served as an adjunct professor. Her undergraduate degree is in Communications is from Simmons College. She has completed the Harvard Graduate School of Education program for urban educators as well as certification from the Schools in Transition Program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Dr. Thomas is a fellow of Leadership Newark Class of 2005 and a founding member of the Simmons College Leadership Council.

I T TA K E S A V I L L A G E :

MILESTONES

1999

2011

MPTCS officially began in 1999. The school started with about 60 students; covering kindergarten through 2nd grade and was contained in four classrooms.

School leaders began to notice a pattern – incoming kindergarten students did not possess the skills necessary to excel in early elementary school.

The MPTCS prekindergarten program was established in 2011 to provide scholars with the essential skills needed to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. MPTCS was the first charter school to provide preschool options for Newark families.

1999 - 2004 MPTCS consistently grew and relocated to different facilities to accommodate its growth.

The school was briefly housed in New Hope Baptist Church, moved to Mt. Prospect Ave., and found a home, for 4 years, on Muhammad Ali Avenue in the basement of Hopewell Baptist Church.

2005 School leaders discovered 370 S. 7th St., the home of a former Newark institution, Chad Science Academy. The facility was for sale and Friends of MPTCS (a non-profit entity) purchased its first facility for the exclusive use of Marion P. Thomas Charter School. The school housed kindergarten through 8th grade.

2009 In 2009, the school’s growth spurred the search for another facility. There were several vacant lots next to MPTCS and the Friends of MPTCS acquired the land and built an early elementary wing. 2009 also marked the birth of the middle school.

2010 In an effort to address the achievement gap of boys of color and the need to bolster the performance of girls in science and math, MPTCS piloted the SELECT (Scholars Exhibiting Leadership Excellence Character and Teamwork) single gender program. Teaching methods and activities that are designed for the different ways in which boys and girls acquire and process knowledge serve as the foundation for this innovative program. Today, SELECT is offered in grades 2-5. The SELECT Elementary Academy will open in the 2016-2017 school year.

2014 In 2014, MPTCS merged with Visions Academy, a charter high school. That merger resulted in MPTCS becoming a “crayons to college” school, encompassing prekindergarten through 12th grade. Due to the consolidation, MPTCS acquired the Shipman building, which was the former location of the upper high school and will become the location of the SELECT Elementary Academy.

2015-2016

MPTCS graduates its first high school class. The class of 2015 had the largest percentage (88%) of charter high school graduates in Newark, NJ

MPTC High School of Culinary & Performing Arts makes its debut. The MPTC High Shool opened its doors in August. This state-of-the art building was constructed to meet the needs of the new offerings for its high school scholars. The facility features 38 classrooms, 4 fully equipped state of the art science labs, media and technology rooms, individual and group music lesson rooms, a black box theatre, culinary learning center and a dining facility.

I T TA K E S A V I L L A G E : O U R S C H O O L S

Marion P. Thomas Charter Elementary School | Grades: Kindergarten – 5th Grade | 370 S. 7th St., Newark The elementary school, comprised of kindergarten through grade five, provides a strong academic foundation in a nurturing environment. The key ingredients of a quality elementary education program have been incorporated into the MPTCS model, which encompass creating an exciting learning environment that lays the groundwork to excel in middle school and beyond. Innovative elements of our curriculum and culture include:  Scholars learn through the infusion of music, movement and hands on experiences  World language (Spanish), physical education, music and technology classes offered beginning in kindergarten  Outdoor playground-recreation area  College and career readiness focus even in our earliest grades  Interventionists who provide small group, targeted support for scholars not achieving on grade level  Before and after care available  Extended school year from August to June  Extracurricular activities including: cheerleading, yoga, first tee golf, taekwondo and arts & crafts Marion P. Thomas Charter SELECT Academy | Grades: K, 2nd – 6th Grade | 88-108 Shipman St., Newark SELECT (Scholars Exhibiting Lasting Excellence, Character and Teamwork) is a single gender program offering all girls and all boys classes in 1st through 5th grade. Originally established to address the achievement gap for African-American boys, as well as bolster the performance of girls in science and math, this gender-based program employs teaching methods and activities that are designed for the different ways in which boys and girls acquire and process knowledge. The culture and curriculum of SELECT focuses on core values, good scholarship, social skills and expanding the experiences of the scholars. This unique learning environment includes:  Gender-specific reading, writing and literary centered materials and math manipulatives  Special events such as: Doughnuts with Dads; Girls Do Code and more  Partnership with the Institute for Children offering introduction to culinary program Marion P. Thomas Charter Middle School | Grades: 6th – 8th Grade | 570 Broad St., Newark The middle school program is an important bridge for our scholars. Fundamentals learned in the elementary school years prepare students to succeed in the middle school and new challenges and rigor will equip emerging teens to thrive in high school. The middle school curriculum fosters students’ interest and expertise in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English, as well as exposure to performing and culinary arts through a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs. This exposure encourages students as they cultivate a sense of their strengths and identities. The experiences and strong connections formed in middle school act as guideposts and pillars for students during this period of rapid growth. The MPTC Middle School offers:  Enrichment classes for students in need of additional support  PAWS (Performing Arts with Style) After School Program

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Drumline and Marching Band Poetry Club

Marion P. Thomas Charter High School of Culinary & Performing Arts | Grades: 9th – 12th Grades | 125 Sussex Avenue, Newark Marion P. Thomas Charter High School of Culinary and Performing Arts (MPTCHS) opened the doors to its brand new facility in 2015. The building is equipped to offer a full range of academic courses in addition to a concentration in culinary or performing arts. The state-of-the art building has 38 classrooms, science labs, media and technology rooms, individual and group music lesson rooms, a black box theater, dance studio and a fully equipped culinary learning lab. Instruction at the high school focuses on college and career readiness.

In addition to completing a challenging preparatory curriculum, scholars will choose to major in either performing or culinary arts. Studies have shown that arts instruction and engagement improves academic outcomes, and the focus on performing and culinary arts is expected to promote both collegiate readiness and the development of marketable skills for MPTCS graduates. High School scholars also have an opportunity to participate in a myriad of classes and extracurricular activities including:  Culinary classes focused on safety, food preparation and externships  Performing arts classes encompass music, dance, theatre arts and production  Sports: Basketball, Track and Field, Cheerleading, Soccer, Wrestling, Softball and Baseball

I T TA K E S A V I L L A G E : O U R D O N O R S & S U P P O R T E R S

I T TA K E S A V I L L A G E : T E S T I M O N I A L S

“MPTCS is a living, vibrant example of how the Black community has historically taken responsibility for insuring quality education for its youth, whether it was through equality and legislation or institutions like our HBCUs. As board chair of MPTCS we are continuing that legacy.” ~Rev. Ronald Slaughter, Pastor, St. James AME Church; MPTCS Board Chairman “As the CEO and leader of MPTCS, I am charged and challenged with the responsibility of providing a quality education and real-world experiences for all of our students and families. The development of innovative programming, like single gender classes, culinary and performing arts, helps us to create culturally-relevant and diverse learning opportunities that lead to cultivating critical thinkers, problem solvers, character, talent and marketable skills.” ~Dr. Karen Thomas, CEO & Co-founder “As the parent of three MPTCS students I know that my voice is heard and my opinions matters, which is important for any parent. I understand that education begins with me not the school, but we must be willing to work with the school.” ~ Lesley Leslie, Parent and Board Member “MPTCS truly embodies its motto, “it takes a whole village to raise a child.” Collectively, the instructors, administrators and other staff members work together to insure that children are succeeding both academically and socially. I have successfully lobbied my employer, Newark-based RAZAC Products, to support the school and now they are believers and active members of the village.” ~Kema Roberts, Parent “What distinguishes MPTCS is their focus on nourishing the whole person and providing an environment for each employee to excel. I started as a principal’s assistant and am now a Human Resources Manager.

MPTCS gave me the opportunity to grow and learn. It is a joy to work and give back to the community I call home.” ~ Anna Brown, Employee and Newark resident "My experience at Marion P. Thomas Charter School motivated me to work hard, seek out challenging opportunities and to do all that I can to succeed. Now I am pursuing a career as a physician, and I know I wouldn't be where I am without the strong start I had at Marion P. Thomas Charter School I am also so grateful for the MPTCS Foundation, which helped me to continue my education by providing scholarships that defrayed the costs of school.” ~Mariame Fofana, MPTCS Alumna; Seton Hall University Graduate and Meharry Medical College Scholar “Marion P. Thomas Charter School embodies every aspect of the school’s motto, “it takes a whole village to raise a child”. In my experiences both past and present the faculty and staff truly care about their students.

The teachers go the extra mile to ensure that their students succeed both in and out of the classroom. I am truly thankful for the “village" because without the opportunities Marion P. Thomas Charter School has given me, my life would be drastically different.” ~ Isaiah Cromwell, MPTCS Alumnus; Franklin and Marshall Alumnus; Teacher (Teach for America) My teachers have equipped us with the tools in life to be successful and to not be scared to take new opportunities. ~ Razinah Pearson, 12th grade scholar

I T TA K E S A V I L L A G E : O U R S TA K E H O L D E R S

“Marion P. Thomas Charter School is an important part of the fabric of the city of Newark and the constituents I serve.” ~Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. at the Groundbreaking ceremony for the MPTC High School of Culinary & Performing Arts

“Marion P. Thomas Charter School is doing the critical work necessary to educate Newark’s youth and to move the city forward.” ~Susan L. Taylor, Emeritus Editor-in-Chief, ESSENCE Magazine, at the MPTCS Mothers’ Day Tea

“I applaud Marion P. Thomas Charter School for its commitment to our youth and the city of Newark.” ~U.S. Senator Cory Booker at the “Fathers for our Children” program, MPTCS’ annual awards ceremony and scholarship fundraiser

My success at Marion P. Thomas Charter High School wasn’t based solely on my strength; it had a lot to do with the help I received from the wonderful teachers and staff who provided support both during and after school. Their encouragement led to me not only graduating, but graduating with honors. During my first year in college, I knew it would be challenging, but I was a lot less stressed because I was prepared, both academically and financially.

My school even provided a scholarship to help offset my tuition costs. I love the MPTCS Village!

- Class of 2015 Valedictorian; Montclair State University Student