The following is a list of frequently asked questions.

What is a charter school?
A charter school is a public school that operates independently of the district board of education under a charter granted by the Commissioner. Once the charter is approved and established, the school is managed by a Board of Trustees with status as a public agent authorized by the State Board of Education to supervise and control the school. A charter school is a corporate entity with all the powers needed to carry out its charter program.




How did North Star Academy get started?
Governor Whitman signed the law creating charter schools in January 1996. Before the ink was dry, James Verrilli and Norman Atkins began designing the school. Verrilli had been a teacher and principal at Link Community School in Newark and Atkins had been co-executive director of the Robin Hood Foundation in New York City. They were joined by a group of Newark parents and other interested citizens. In October 1996, they submitted their charter application. In January 1997, North Star was hailed in the governor's state-of-the-state address and awarded one of New Jersey's very first charters. It opened its doors in September 1997 with 72 fifth and sixth graders.




What makes North Star Academy different from other schools?
At North Star, the goal for every student is college. While only a small percentage of Newark students go to college, 95% of North Star graduates are currently attending college. With an average of 19 students per class, North Star features smaller class size than other Newark public schools. Its school day is an hour longer and its school year goes 11 months, from August through July. Students use downtown Newark as an extended campus, utilizing art at the Newark Museum down the block, swimming at the YM/WCA across the street, regularly attending events at the NJ Performing Arts Center around the corner, and using the Newark Public Library across the park as the school library. Students wear uniforms, learn to touch-type from the 5th grade, learn to canoe and rock-climb, and demonstrate what they know before juried panels at the end of the school year. North Star's high school program builds a college preparatory program that provides students with the tools to succeed in college and in life.




Does North Star cream the best students from the district to achieve their results?
By law, charter schools cannot select their students. Every student is accepted by a random lottery held each year in March. Academic performance is never considered as part of the admissions process. Some might still argue that only good students apply to North Star. In fact, when studying the performance of our students on New Jersey state assessments (NJASK3 & NJASK4) before they enter North Star, their test scores show them to be performing below the Newark District average, which is one of the lowest performing districts in the state.




Is part of North Star's success due to having more financial resources than traditional public schools?
In reality, North Star receives far less funding than traditional public schools. Administratively lean, North Star stretched shorter dollars. 69% of the per pupil public funds attributable to students at traditional Newark public schools to produce a longer program (11 months and extended school day). Almost all of North Star's fundraising has focused on funding its facilities, which in contrast to traditional public schools are not covered by the state. Even with this fundraising, the school still under-spends in relation to traditional district schools. Additional resources don't drive the change that can be seen at North Star; dedicated teachers and high expectations do.




How many students are enrolled at North Star?
There are over 900 students enrolled at North Star in grades K, 1, 2, and 5-12. They currently attend school at either the Downtown Campus, Clinton Hill Campus, or Elementary Campus.




How can I enroll my child at North Star?
North Star admits students into Kindergarten and the 5th grade through a random lottery. Parents of Pre-K students and 4th graders interested in applying must attend an Open House and students attend a Simulated School Day (see dates in the section Application Process). In March, the school holds a lottery. Siblings of current students who have otherwise followed the same application process are given preference, in accordance with the school's charter. In addition to the students selected in the lottery, a waiting list is also formed. If a current North Star student should decide not to attend North Star or to leave during the year, the first student on the waiting list is selected to take that spot. Students enrolling at North Star after the 5th grade are taken in order off of the waiting list. There are currently over 1,900 students on the waiting list. Students must complete the 4th grade and reside in Newark to be admitted to a North Star middle school for the 5th grade in the fall. Kindergarten applicants must also reside in Newark to be eligible to attend.




Can I come see North Star in action?
North Star receives over 400 visitors every year - you are more than welcome to join us! Click here for our tour schedule and to register online.




Where can information about state statutes and regulations on charter schools be found?
State statutes can be found in Title 18A:36A New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.) Charter School Program Act of 1995. State Board of Education charter school regulations can be found in New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) Chapter 6A:11. These publications can be found at most public libraries and the offices of the county superintendents of schools. Both the statute and the code are also available on the Department of Education's web site. Click charter schools on the home page then charter school application. The law and the code are part of the appendix.