Alexus Sergeon and David Fils-Aime had just dropped off their twins, Aaron and Armani, at THRIVE Academy when they paused to explain how marketing had swayed them to move the boys into the charter school for kindergarten this fall after pre-K at a traditional public school for the 2024-25 academic year.

For more than a hundred years, students have studied the same core subjects: math, science, reading, writing, and history. There are exceptions, of course, but generally high schools stick to the same basic structure.

Paterson Prep Charter School is joining KIPP New Jersey’s network of public charter schools starting this fall, bringing additional academic resources and opportunities to students and families in Paterson.

KIPP Cooper Norcross High School graduate Aniyah Byers said she enjoys helping people and wants to pursue a career that lets her do that, so it is quite possible that quote will apply to her someday.

The program is a unique example of a school that moved quickly to keep children from missing out on their first year of school.

At KIPP Lanning Square Primary School, 25 first-graders who have struggled to learn to read are making surprising progress through a science of reading-based online tutoring program 

Stefon Bowman, a financial literacy coordinator at KIPP TEAM Academy in Newark, continues to go beyond just the requirement, emphasizing the importance of teaching this topic to Newark’s youngest students and their families.

Nancy Muñoz is on her second act — this time, in a school — and she feels she’s finally where she belongs.