• Category 2

    Selected in 2019

  • Grades: k - 8
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 89,078
    Student Enrollment: 377
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 31%
    White/Caucasian: 9%
    Hispanic: 53%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 79%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1999
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Deborah Pontoriero
  • CONTACT:
    52 Lafayette Ave
    Hamilton, NJ 08610
    609-599-1212
    dpontoriero@pace.charter.k12.nj.us
Pace Charter School of Hamilton
Hamilton, NJ
Pace's philosophy is that all children can meet high academic expectations when their environment is safe, welcoming, and conducive to acquiring knowledge.
Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.
Parents are involved at Pace through participation in enrichment programs held after school in Science, Math and Language Arts, organizing and participating in fundraising and community service projects, joining the Parent Teacher Organization and serving on the Board of Education as parent advisors.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
The "Annual Color Fun Run", now celebrating its 5th year is one that our school and local community truly look forward to each year. Staff, parents, students, members of the community, and local businesses all take time out each year to support this event at the local County Park.
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
Pace's philosophy is that all children can meet high academic expectations when their environment is safe, welcoming, and conducive to acquiring knowledge.

This positive learning environment is created by effective communication, strong classroom management, academic rigor and high expectations, as well as parental involvement, and strong teacher collaboration.
What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?
Expansion to create a K-4 Elementary School building, a 5/6 Intermediate School Building and a 7/8 School Building.

Increasing our charter from 15 students per class to 18 students per class.
What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
SMALL CLASS SIZES in order to better meet each individual students learning needs.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
An initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on achievement and closing opportunity gaps is individualized and small group instruction by highly qualified teachers.

As per our charter class sizes are capped at 15 students. At each grade level, there is is a highly qualified teacher dedicated to providing Math and English Language Arts support to identified students.

Math and English Language Arts data, along with teacher observations, are critical in designing instruction tailored to meet students at their current level and provide them with the skills and tools not only to remediate, but to enrich their learning.
Explain how ESEA federal funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
ESEA funds are used to provide staff that works directly with an individual or small group so that students received individualized instruction.

Funds are also used to provide technology and other materials to ensure successful 21st Century Learners.
Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.
The goal of all Professional Development activities is improving student achievement. Teachers connect and learn from one another through peer to peer observations, problem-solving what works for students, open communication and turn keying outside training, in order to ensure all students achieve success.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
Data is used to identify student strengths and deficiencies to effectively guide teachers’ instructional decisions to determine the best course of action to ensure that all students succeed. These findings inform professional development plans and lead to an in-depth analysis of current curriculum programs, staffing needs, and intervention and enrichment resources available to students.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
The most effective professional development engages teams of teachers to focus on the needs of their students. They learn and problem solve together in order to ensure all students achieve success.”
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2019

  • Grades: k - 8
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 89,078
    Student Enrollment: 377
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 31%
    White/Caucasian: 9%
    Hispanic: 53%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 79%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1999
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Deborah Pontoriero
  • CONTACT:
    52 Lafayette Ave
    Hamilton, NJ 08610
    609-599-1212
    dpontoriero@pace.charter.k12.nj.us