What types of entities can apply for and receive a charter in NJ?
The New Jersey Charter School Act of 1995 allows the following individuals or groups to apply for a charter: teaching staff members, parents with children attending the schools of the district or a combination of the two, as well as higher education institutions or private entities located within the state in conjunction with teaching staff members and parents of children attending the schools of the district. Currently existing public schools are eligible to convert to charter schools if at least 51% of the teaching staff working in the school and 51% of the parents or guardians attending the school sign a petition in support of the school becoming a charter school. Private and parochial schools are not eligible for charter status. N.J.S.A. 18A:36A-4(a).
