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Charter schools in Newark, NJ

15 schools in Newark, 31 more within 15 miles. Public, and free to attend.

Public charter schools (tuition-free)

Newark charter schools at a glance

15 public charter schools give Newark as their address in the 2025-26 federal school directory, and 31 more are within 15 miles. The 15 in town had about 21,388 students in 2024-25. 14 teach elementary grades and 6 teach high school. Every one is a public school that charges no tuition.

21,388 students, 2024-25
6 high schools
$0 tuition

Nearby, within 15 miles (31)

Charter schools in other towns, nearest first. Online schools are left out here because their address is an office.

Charter school Grades Students (2024-25) Per teacher Town Miles Phone
Burch Charter School of Excellence K-5 335 17.6 Irvington 3 (973) 373-3223
Pride Academy Charter School 5-8 300 16 East Orange 3 (973) 672-3200
Hudson Arts and Science Charter School K-9 848 14.1 Kearny 4 (201) 773-9140
Soaring Heights Charter School K-8 272 16.7 Jersey City 4 (201) 434-4800
East Orange Community Charter School K-4 414 21.8 East Orange 4 (973) 996-0400
University Academy Charter High School 9-12 429 10.7 Jersey City 4 (201) 200-3200
Empowerment Academy Charter School K-11 1,272 12.1 Jersey City 5 (201) 630-4798
Jersey City Community Charter School K-8 561 15.6 Jersey City 5 (201) 433-2288
Learning Community Charter School PK-8 634 13.8 Jersey City 5 (201) 332-0900
Dr Lena Edwards Academic Charter School K-8 383 14.2 Jersey City 5 (201) 433-5300
The Ethical Community Charter School K-8 357 22.3 Jersey City 5 (201) 984-4151
Kindle Education Public Charter School 6-8 87 21.8 Jersey City 6 (551) 350-1520
Jersey City Golden Door Charter School PK-8 662 16.3 Jersey City 6 (201) 795-4400
BelovED Community Charter School K-12 1,573 22.2 Jersey City 6 (201) 630-4700
Jersey City Global Charter School K-8 423 18.4 Jersey City 7 (201) 744-2444
Hoboken Dual Language Charter School K-8 441 22.1 Hoboken 7 (201) 427-1458
Hoboken Charter School K-12 299 14.2 Hoboken 8 (201) 963-0222
Elysian Charter School of Hoboken K-8 292 11.9 Hoboken 8 (201) 876-0102
Passaic Arts and Science Charter School K-12 2,175 13.6 Passaic 10 (201) 773-9140
Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton 5-8 185 18.5 Clifton 11 (973) 278-7707
Bergen Arts and Sciences Charter School K-12 1,276 14.3 Garfield 11 (201) 773-9140
Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology K-12 1,708 12.9 Paterson 12 (973) 247-0600
John P. Holland Charter School PK-8 787 15.7 Woodland 12 (973) 345-2212
Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson K-8 683 13.3 Paterson 13 (973) 247-8920
Paterson Arts and Science Charter School K-12 1,330 12.9 Paterson 13 (862) 336-1550
Community Charter School of Paterson K-8 896 18.3 Paterson 13 (973) 413-2057
Paterson Preparatory Charter School K-7 362 15.1 Paterson 13 (347) 523-8905
College Achieve Paterson Charter School K-12 1,688 20.1 Paterson 13 (862) 257-1423
Teaneck Community Charter school K-8 377 12.6 Teaneck 14 (201) 833-9600
College Achieve Central Charter School K-12 1,572 16.4 Plainfield 14 (908) 625-1879
Barack Obama Green Charter School 6-12 358 14.3 Plainfield 15 (908) 251-6467

Charter schools: how they work

  • Public and free. NCES describes a public charter school as a publicly funded school, usually run by a group or organization under a contract (the charter) with the state, the district or another body. The federal definition says a charter school does not charge tuition.
  • Families choose it. Under the same definition, a charter school is one parents choose to send their children to, and it admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for.
  • Its own rules, its own accountability. The charter frees the school from some state or local rules; in return it must meet the standards written in its charter. It is nonsectarian.
  • No program badge. ChoiceFunded’s program badges and “schools that accept” lists cover private schools only. Charter schools are listed separately here, with no badge, and are never counted with private schools.

Sources: 20 U.S.C. 7221i (federal Charter Schools Program definitions); NCES, Condition of Education: Public Charter School Enrollment. Each state writes its own charter law, so ask the school how enrollment works there.

Questions parents ask

How many charter schools are in Newark?

15 public charter schools in the 2025-26 federal directory are in Newark, and 31 more are within 15 miles. North Star Academy Charter School, TEAM Academy Charter School, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School, Marion P. Thomas Charter School, Gateway Academy Charter School, Philip's Academy Charter School and others.

Do charter schools in Newark charge tuition?

No. Charter schools are public schools, and the federal definition of a charter school says it does not charge tuition. Ask each school about fees for extras.

How do I enroll in a Newark charter school?

Apply to each school directly. Under the federal definition, a charter school admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for, so check each school’s application dates. Each state writes its own charter law.

School facts: U.S. Department of Education, Common Core of Data (2025-26 directory, 2024-25 enrollment and staff). Where our data comes from.

See charter schools How enrollment works