TRENTON -- The Christie administration on Friday advanced four charter school applications to the final round of state review but denied a proposal in Montclair that had stirred strong resistance in the community.
The following four schools were cleared to open as long as they pass a final review next year:
- College Achieve Greater Asbury Park Charter School (Asbury Park, Neptune Township
- College Achieve Paterson Charter School (Paterson)
- Ocean Academy Charter School (Lakewood)
- Ailanthus Charter School (Franklin Township, New Brunswick)
All of the schools, except Ailanthus Charter School, plan to open in the fall of 2017. Ailanthus plans to open in 2018.
The approvals on Friday give the groups permission to move forward with their schools, though they must still pass a final review of their financial and academic plans.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Education rejected three other proposals, including a proposed French immersion charter school in Montclair. School district officials and parents in Montclair had campaigned against the charter school, saying it isn't needed in a district with a reputation for good schools.
The state said the denied applications had deficiencies but did not elaborate on those problems in the rejection letters sent to applicants.
Along with the school in Montclair, the proposed Elite Academy Charter School in Jersey City and Innovation STEM Charter School in Newark were also rejected.
If the four schools that advanced Friday win final approval, they will bring the total number of charters schools in New Jersey to 92.
Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.