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Link teachers and staff are back at school, diligently and enthusiastically preparing for the new academic year! Since August 18, they have been actively participating in meetings on procedures, school culture, and expectations, as well as a day-long retreat at a NJ shore location to focus on team-building and community. Next up: subject area “boot camps” and time for classroom set-up. It’s been a great time for old and new staff to become acquainted and share best practices and stories. Everyone will be well-positioned to welcome our scholars on September 2 and to support them in achieving academic success!

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Fifty-three Link scholars graduated from 8th grade in a lovely ceremony on June 20, 2025. This event marks a significant milestone in their educational journey as they prepare to transition to competitive high schools. We are excited to see them take this next step and are confident in their ability to thrive in their new environments. They will be attending a variety of schools, including private day and boarding schools, Catholic high schools, Newark magnet schools, Essex County technology schools, and charter schools. Congratulations to our scholars who now join the ranks of over 3,000 Link students who have graduated from Link since 1969.

Stay tuned for photos from the event!

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