JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – The Liberty Academy Charter School in the Heights section of Jersey City is among three charter schools the state has ordered closed by year’s end.
“We firmly believe that it is a privilege to be able to operate a school in New Jersey and we must treat it as such. Our charters are afforded additional freedom and autonomy in exchange for meeting high standards,” State Education Department Spokesperson Barbara Morgan told WCBS 880 reporter Levon Putney.
And if they don’t meet the higher standards, Morgan said they don’t get to stick around, such as in this case.
“There were test scores that were not outperforming the district in a measurable way,” she said.
Also closing are the Oceanside Charter School in Atlantic City and the Institute for Excellence Charter School in Hammonton.
“In these cases, the academics just did not meet the standards that we are holding for our charter schools,” Morgan said.
Along with the closings, four schools, including New Horizons Community Charter School in Newark, the Newark Educators Charter School, and schools in Blairstown and Camden were placed on probation.
13 charter licenses were renewed statewide.
