New Jersey Approves Newark Charter School Renewals and Expansions

State education officials greenlight five charter school renewals and two enrollment expansions in Newark

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:31pm

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The New Jersey Department of Education has renewed the charters of five Newark charter schools - Great Oaks Legacy, LEAD, Robert Treat Academy, North Star Academy, and TEAM Academy - for the next five years. Additionally, the state approved enrollment expansions for Robert Treat Academy and North Star Academy to be implemented by the 2030-2031 school year, though it blocked a 1,000-seat expansion request from TEAM Academy.

Why it matters

Newark has a large charter school sector, with charters serving over 40% of the city's public school students. The renewal and expansion of these schools signals the state's continued support for charter school options in the city, though the blocked expansion for TEAM Academy suggests limits on unchecked growth.

The details

The New Jersey Department of Education has renewed the charters of five Newark charter schools - Great Oaks Legacy, LEAD, Robert Treat Academy, North Star Academy, and TEAM Academy - for the next five years. Additionally, the state approved enrollment expansions for Robert Treat Academy and North Star Academy, though it blocked a 1,000-seat expansion request from TEAM Academy.

  • The state education commissioner renewed the five charter schools on January 28, 2026.
  • The approved enrollment expansions for Robert Treat Academy and North Star Academy are to be implemented by the 2030-2031 school year.

The players

New Jersey Department of Education

The state education agency that oversees and regulates public schools, including charter schools, in New Jersey.

Great Oaks Legacy

A Newark charter school that had its charter renewed for the next five years.

LEAD

A Newark charter school that had its charter renewed for the next five years.

Robert Treat Academy

A Newark charter school that had its charter renewed for the next five years and received approval to increase enrollment by the 2030-2031 school year.

North Star Academy

A Newark charter school that had its charter renewed for the next five years and received approval to increase enrollment by the 2030-2031 school year.

TEAM Academy

A Newark charter school that had its charter renewed for the next five years, but had a 1,000-seat expansion request blocked by the state.

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The takeaway

The renewal and expansion of these Newark charter schools demonstrates the state's continued support for school choice options in the city, though the limits placed on TEAM Academy's growth suggest the state is balancing charter school growth with other educational priorities.