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Link is excited to share that recent New Jersey State Learning Assessment scores for our 5th through 8th graders demonstrate that our students are achieving and are on an upward trajectory of academic growth. The Spring 2024 test scores show that Link scholars outperformed the state in English Language Arts (ELA) (for the second year in a row) and outpaced the state in academic growth from the previous year. Link’s growth was also greater than that of several large local high-performing network charter schools and our sending district schools.

We take pride in being part of a strong public charter school sector, which has surpassed local public school districts. While we are encouraged by our students’ progress, we recognize that there is still much to be done to enhance student achievement and growth, particularly in math.

Head of School Maria Pilar Paradiso states, “This success is a testament to the collective efforts of our school community, the commitment of our teachers, and the hard work of our scholars, and we eagerly anticipate even greater accomplishments in the years to come. These scores are even more impressive when you consider that Link’s middle schoolers enter the school in 5th grade and that in just four years our scholars are experiencing tremendous growth. With the recent addition of lower grades, we are building a strong foundation for even more achievement.”

Link Education Partners delivers important resources to bridge the funding gap experienced by NJ charter schools and to provide a well-rounded educational program that nurtures mind, body, and spirit, allowing Link Community Charter School to drive student achievement and school growth. Link’s middle school scholars have taken the NJSLA test since the school converted to a public charter school. The elementary school, launched in September 2021 has now reached 3rd grade. Our new third graders will take the test in May 2025. This first round of testing with our 3rd grade will provide important indicators around the work we are doing with our youngest scholars.

Press Release: These Newark Charter Schools Scored High Marks On Latest NJ Report, April 26. 2024

Press Release: Eight Newark Schools Beat State Average on Literacy Test. Tap Into Newark, December 12, 2024

Press Release: NJ test scores from the NJ Public Charter School Association, December 10, 2024

Link and our partners, Mighty Writers, hosted a fantastic family night! Students and their families – 40 families and over 100 participants – progressed through several “stations” – each one offering a different activity, including writing a winter story from prompts, reading math problem stories, making a gift (beading) for someone, reading with a partner, and creating a story from a picture. There was a raffle – two students went home with a bag of books and gifts. Everyone enjoyed the evening, which included a ziti and salad dinner! Mrs. Schiano gathered the students at the end and asked what the best part of the evening was. The students had great responses. One of the best quotes of the evening was from a 1st grader, who replied, “I love when everybody comes over to the school at night. All our friends are here together!”

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Ms. Martina Ng shared an informational presentation with our 3rd graders in preparation for our winter holidays around the world. She spoke about the Chinese New Year celebration and the traditions associated with it, such as thoroughly cleaning the house, sweeping out the dirt and debris, preparing special food like dumplings, fish, and rice cakes all for good luck, getting new clothes and shoes, and wearing RED! Additionally, students created Chinese designs and a banner with Ms. Ng to display on bulletin boards this month! Third graders will share what they learned with other Lower House students and parents at a special program on December 13th.

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Before Thanksgiving break, our students at Halsey made nearly 300 sandwiches that they included in bagged lunches for the Food Pantry at Apostle House in Newark. The bags were decorated by students in the lower grades. Apostle House is a non-profit agency in Newark that provides services for the homeless. Scholars at the Halsey Campus also created cards for the Cards for Hope Program to uplift youth in foster care.

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