Princeton Charter School FAQs Brochure

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Established 1997

THE SCHOOL’S MISSION The mission of Princeton Charter School 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. Princeton Charter School believes that a “thorough and efficient” education is best accomplished through a rigorous curriculum that requires mastery of core knowledge and skills.

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PRINCETON CHARTER SCHOOL

SPECIFIC SCHOOL OBJECTIVES

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• Develop clear and effective written and oral communication skills using standard English • Acquire a strong foundation in mathematical reasoning skills • Learn about the political, economic, cultural, geographic, and technological forces that have shaped the history of our country and the world • Acquire knowledge and skills in the sciences and be able to conduct inquiries using the scientific method • Develop an informed appreciation of the arts and participate in their creation • Speak, read, and write in a language other than English • Learn the essentials necessary for a healthy, safe, and fit life • Recognize the importance of hard work, personal responsibility, and respect for others

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE SCHOOL • No tuition, fees, or tests are required for admission • English and Mathematics are the cornerstone of the PCS education and meet daily for one hour • History, Science, and World Languages meet daily for 45 minutes • Students participate in studio art, music, or physical education for 45 minutes each day • K-2 students are taught in self-contained classrooms led by a primary teacher • Grade 3-8 students are taught by subject specialists in each of the academic subjects • The school day is from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

• Bus transportation is provided by the regional school district • PCS offers Special Education and related services in full compliance with state and federal law

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• Princeton Charter School is a free public school

• PCS supports and challenges all students academically

STUDENT LIFE At Princeton Charter School our mission of educating for character is integral to our mission of educating for excellence. We are committed to working with parents to address the academic, emotional, and social well-being of our young people. Parents and faculty have come together to define the core values of our diverse, close-knit PCS community, and we address the critical topic of character education in the following ways: Building Community, Building Respect, & Building Responsibility.

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FRIENDS of PRINCETON CHARTER SCHOOL The Friends volunteer services, raise funds, & organize community building events including picnics, parties, concerts, field days, and art shows. Friends of PCS is a tax-exempt corporation that exists for the exclusive benefit and support of Princeton Charter School.

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ADMISSION PROCESS • PCS is a free community public school • Admission is open to children in grades K-8 who live in Princeton Township or Princeton Borough • There are no tests, fees, or other barriers to admission • A simple application form available from the school office, by telephone (609) 924-0575, or from the PCS website (www.PrincetonCharter.org) must be completed for each child • When there are more applications than spaces, a random lottery determines admission • Kindergarten applicants must be 5 years old by September 30 • Applicants who are not admitted due to space limitations are placed on a waiting list • Applicants who miss the first application deadline in January will be placed into a late-applicant lottery in May • To learn more about the school, you are invited to attend one of our open houses in December or January where students, parents, and teachers provide tours and answer questions

ACADEMIC PROGRAM Princeton Charter School is a vibrant institution in an extraordinary community, strengthened by the enthusiasm of its students, by the dedication of its outstanding faculty, and by an outpouring of help from parents and the community at large. The school strives to deliver the best possible education to its diverse student body by focusing on the fundamental academic disciplines and by creating an atmosphere that affirms academic achievement.

We believe that hard work and personal responsibility are important, and we hold high expectations for every student and teacher. Our program focuses on mastery of the core knowledge and skills required for further academic achievement. We feel that every child, regardless of background, can benefit from a rigorous educational foundation. Ours is a public school, equally available to every child in the community. We recognize that learning is most effective within an environment that is supportive, caring, and fun. We strive to foster an atmosphere of fairness and respect for others. Our program is enhanced by numerous extracurricular activities – sports, music, chess, clubs, and community service – which make our students well-rounded citizens and human beings

www.PrincetonCharter.org

www.PrincetonCharter.org

BOARD of TRUSTEES Princeton Charter School is governed by a Board of Trustees whose responsibility is to uphold the mission of the school by providing for the school’s future well-being. The Board protects the public interest and upholds the public trust by applying the highest standards of service in governing the school according to its charter, by-laws, and relevant state and federal statues. It is the duty of the Board of Trustees to plan strategically, establish policy, and assess the overall performance of the school. Open public meetings of the board are held monthly.

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Princeton Charter School 100 Bunn Drive Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 924-0575

PRINCETON CHARTER SCHOOL A Commun it y Pu blic S c hool

Establi shed 1997