Central Jersey College Prep (CJCP), a public charter school in Somerset County, just announced that 100 percent of its senior class will be graduating on time this spring and that every member of the Class of ‘25 has also been accepted to a college or university next fall. This is the fifteenth year in a row that all graduating seniors have college acceptances. Some of the schools students will attend, many with significant merit-based and need-based scholarships, are West Point, Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University: Tepper School of Business, Georgetown University, Rutgers Honors College, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of North Carolina, and University of Maryland. The U.S. Department of Education has named CJCP a “National Blue-Ribbon School,” the highest possible designation granted to a K-12 school. 

(CJCP has applied the the Department of Education for permission to open a school in New Brunswick, where 36 percent of the traditional district’s senior class enrolls in any postsecondary institution. To date, the Murphy Administration has rejected CJCP’s applications for expansion, even though the DOE has rated the school “Tier 1,” the highest possible designation.)

“Our scholars show what positive, generational change in our public schools can look like, if given a chance,” said Dr. Namik Sercan, CJCP’s Chief Education Officer. “CJCP educates some of the most at-risk and educationally disadvantaged students living in Central Jersey, with many never daring to dream of attending college before setting foot in our school.  Yet, each year, parents depend on CJCP and are provided with the security and trust that every child, regardless of race or income, will receive a great education, graduate on time, and be accepted to college.” He added, “our students’ accomplishments once again remind us that every New Jersey public school student can succeed if provided with access to great teachers, facilities, and a strong learning environment.”

“CJCP demonstrates how public charter schools change lives and strengthen communities,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO of the Public Charter Schools Association.  “For fifteen consecutive years, every single student who has graduated from CJCP has graduated on time and has been accepted to college.  CJCP is a shining example of the potential and value that a strong public charter school can provide to a community. The teachers they have recruited and trained, the learning environment they have built, the commitment and love they provide their students, and the opportunity this has all created are the reasons why parents so deeply want their children to attend CJCP.  We congratulate CJCP for this impressive record and wish the senior class the very best.”

Burak Cebe, a graduating senior and Congressional Award Gold Medalist who will attend West Point in September, said  “I hope more students in our area get the same public school opportunity I had.”

According to 2024 state standardized test scores, 73% of CJCP students are proficient in reading (21 points higher than statewide averages) and 63% are proficient in math (23 points higher than the statewide averages). Thirty percent of CJCP students are economically-disadvantaged. In nearby Franklin Township Public Schools, 42% of students meet proficiency standards in reading and 27% do in math. There the annual cost per pupil is $22,036. At CJCP it is $16,284.

“As Central Jersey parents, we couldn’t be more proud of our students and our deep connection to CJCP’s academic community,” said CJCP PTSO President, Jennifer Yamout Mwango. “The success of our children is a reflection of what happens when dedication, support, and opportunity come together. We hope this moment and their success will serve as a needed call to action.  We must continue to fight to ensure every child in our area is provided the opportunity to attend a great school.”