New Jersey Charter School Network Seeks New Jersey City Expansion Amid Ongoing State Review and Financial Scrutiny
A well-known New Jersey charter school network is seeking approval to expand its operations into Jersey City, even as it remains under active review by a state watchdog over past financial and governance concerns.
The organization, College Achieve Public Schools (CAPS), has submitted an application to the New Jersey Department of Education to open a new charter school in Jersey City for the 2026–2027 academic year. If approved, the proposed school would serve around 350 students from kindergarten through sixth grade, marking the network’s entry into one of the state’s largest urban education markets.
According to the application submitted in October, CAPS argues that the expansion would meet growing demand from families in Jersey City who are seeking a strong academic program focused on preparing students for higher education. The network stated that its existing educational approach has already supported students in gaining admission to highly competitive universities, and it believes the same model could benefit students in Jersey City as well.
At present, the proposal is under formal review by state education authorities, with a decision expected soon based on sources familiar with the process. The Department of Education has not publicly confirmed a timeline or commented on how ongoing investigations may affect the decision.
CAPS is already a significant charter school operator in New Jersey, running 11 schools across multiple cities including Paterson, Passaic, Asbury Park, Neptune, Plainfield, and North Plainfield. The network currently serves more than 3,700 students statewide, according to recent education performance data.
However, the organization’s growth comes at a time of continued scrutiny. The New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller has been investigating the network following findings that former leaders may have mismanaged tens of millions of dollars in public education funds. The review raised concerns about missing documentation for spending and potential violations of nepotism rules during prior leadership periods.
The investigation follows earlier reporting that highlighted allegations of financial and ethical issues within some CAPS schools, particularly in Asbury Park and Neptune. These findings prompted legislative changes in New Jersey aimed at increasing transparency in charter school operations, especially around funding usage and student recruitment practices.
In response to the controversy, CAPS leadership has defended the network’s academic performance, stating that its students have gone on to attend a range of respected universities. The organization has also taken steps in recent years, including internal changes such as salary reductions and staff terminations, while launching independent reviews to address concerns raised in public reports.
State officials have emphasized that charter schools are public institutions that must be held to strict accountability standards, especially when managing taxpayer funds. The comptroller’s office has previously warned that weak oversight structures in charter operations can increase the risk of financial mismanagement and misuse of public resources.
As the state evaluates CAPS’s request for expansion, the decision is expected to balance the network’s academic claims and demand for school choice against ongoing concerns about governance and financial transparency. The outcome will likely influence not only the future of this proposed Jersey City campus but also broader discussions about charter school oversight across New Jersey.
Sources:
Information based on publicly reported details from New Jersey state education application filings, Office of the State Comptroller findings, and prior investigative reporting on College Achieve Public Schools.
