Link Community Charter School (LCCS) is pleased to announce that the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) has renewed the school’s charter through June 30, 2028. Renewal, which is required by the state every five years, is based on the school’s “academic performance, fiscal viability, and operational stability.” LCCS appreciates that the state regards Link positively as a strong educational institution, stating in the renewal letter to the school that LCCS is a “quality public school option for families.”
Along with renewing the school’s charter, the NJDOE granted LCCS’ request to add grades 3 and 4 to continue the growth we began in 2014. With this approval, LCCS is now cleared for full expansion, growing from 320 scholars in 5th to 8th to 450 scholars with a complete Kindergarten to 8th grade continuum.
This is LCCS’ third state-approved grade level expansion with the goal to serve more scholars more deeply. In 2014, the school successfully added a 5th and 6th grade program to its long-standing 7th and 8th grade middle school, and in 2021, launched its elementary school with Kindergarten, when it was approved to add Kindergarten through 2nd grade. LCCS has been intentionally adding one grade at a time to ensure a strong instructional program and recruit qualified and talented staff. The state has now granted LCCS the opportunity to complete its growth to a full K-8 educational program by the 2025-26 school year. “We understand that the earlier students enter LCCS, the greater their chance of success in school and acceptance to competitive high schools…all to lead our scholars to a brighter future,” shared Richard Marshall, chair of the LCCS Board of Trustees.
LCCS is grateful for the wonderful support of its stakeholders – the school board, staff, parents, and students – who engaged fully in this year’s renewal process during the state protocol visit to the school in October 2022, demonstrating to the NJDOE that LCCS is a vibrant and educationally sound school.
María Pilar Paradiso, head of school, was delighted to receive the news from the NJDOE and noted “the renewal and the expansion are testaments to the passion, talent, and hard work of our teachers and staff, and to our unwavering commitment to educational equity and social justice.”
