College Achieve Central Charter School: Empowering Students for College Success

College Achieve Central Charter School is dedicated to preparing every student to excel in and graduate from top colleges and universities. This commitment is reflected in its rigorous academic program, mission-driven culture, and distinctive approach to student success. Serving the communities of Plainfield and North Plainfield, New Jersey, College Achieve Central strives to uplift communities by providing high-quality education in areas where access has historically been limited and college graduation rates have been low.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

College Achieve Central Charter School has earned recognition as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools for consecutive years. The school's ranking has significantly improved, placing it among the top high schools nationwide. This achievement is attributed to the school's proven academic model and focus on student success.

National Rankings: Ranked #1,387 in the National Rankings.
New Jersey High Schools: Ranked #63 in New Jersey.
NY Metro Area High Schools: Ranked #167 in the New York, NY Metro Area.
Charter High Schools: Ranked #239 in Charter High Schools.

Rigorous Curriculum and Instructional Model

The school implements a rigorous, standards-aligned curriculum backwards mapped from college standards, the Common Core State Standards, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This approach ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges of higher education. The instructional program focuses on college graduation as the ultimate goal, ensuring that scholars are equipped for success. Studies show that an intense curriculum and instructional model is the single most reliable predictor of a student graduating from a 4‑year college or university.

Data plays a crucial role in shaping the curriculum and responding to student needs. It is used to plan lessons, understand student progress, and accelerate content as needed. Data is also used to intervene where students need it most.

Advanced Placement (AP) Program

One of the hallmarks of College Achieve Central is its commitment to Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The school offers access to 16 AP courses, and every senior is required to take at least three AP classes to graduate. This "AP for All" approach underscores the belief in scholars and helps them achieve beyond their own expectations.

AP Exam Participation: 100% of students take at least one AP exam.
AP Exam Success: 45% of students pass at least one AP exam.
Multiple AP Exams: 100% of students take at least three Advanced Placement (AP) exams, while the average is closer to seven.
AP Exam Passing Rate: 75% of rising seniors have already passed one or more AP exams.

College Readiness and Success

College Achieve Central places a strong emphasis on college readiness and success. The school's mission extends beyond high school graduation and acceptance into college; it aims to ensure that students make it "thru" both high school and college.

College Acceptance: 100% of College Achieve Central seniors were accepted to four-year colleges.
Selective University Acceptances: Students have been accepted to selective universities, including MIT, Brown, and Rutgers University.
Dual Enrollment: The school offers dual enrollment, enabling scholars to graduate with up to 30 college credits.

Addressing Achievement Gaps

College Achieve Central is committed to addressing achievement gaps and providing individualized attention to students. The school's low student-teacher ratio allows for personalized support for scholars who are learning English (ELLs), are academically at-risk, or have disabilities. Research indicates many of the youth we serve enter kindergarten nearly a year behind, which puts them at a distinct disadvantage for future success. At CAPS, we reverse this trend by ensuring that all students learn to read at grade level or above by the end of second grade.

The school also focuses on teaching scholars grit and tenacity, preparing them for college and the modern world. By helping scholars develop a strong sense of self and a deep moral compass, it aims to cultivate responsible citizens in school and in life.

STEAM Integration

The school's instruction thoroughly integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) principles. It also teaches the foundations of computer science and coding, preparing scholars for future technology.

Underserved Student Performance

College Achieve Central demonstrates a commitment to serving underserved students, with a focus on improving their proficiency on state exams.

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Percentage of Underserved Students Who Are Proficient: 41.3%.
Percentage of Non-Underserved Students Who Are Proficient: 44.3%.
Gap Between School and State Among Underserved Students: 15.4%.

School Data

Graduation Rate: 95% (somewhat above state median).
Full-Time Equivalent Teachers: 86.

Mission and Vision

College Achieve Public Schools (College Achieve) is a network of free, public K-12 charter schools serving communities with enormous potential and historically limited resources. The school's mission is to prepare every scholar to excel in and graduate from one of the top colleges or universities in the nation. The vision is to uplift the communities it serves by providing high-quality education where there previously was limited access and where college graduation rates may have been low.

Leadership Perspective

According to Michael Piscal, CEO of College Achieve Public Schools, scholars, 84% of whom come from low-income families and many with parents who never attended college, are now outperforming students from affluent schools across the state. Natica Brown, Head of School, College Achieve Central, emphasizes that the school sets a high bar from the first day, and students keep rising to meet it.

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