NJ Spotlight looks today at this latest round of charter reviews. The state rejected six applications and approved eight in this first phase of charter review. With the exception of one in Englewood, all approved applications are in  high-poverty districts. In fact, all fourteen applications, with the exception of one in Princeton, included low-performing districts in their proposed catchment areas, although some also would have opened seats to students in neighboring districts. This is a tacit acknowledgement of the current D.O.E.’s charter authorizing philosophy: focus expansion of choice where families need it most.

Here’s the list of  Phase I approved schools:

• Camden Innovations Charter High School — serving Camden, grades 9-12 (240 students)
• Elizabeth Prep Charter School — Elizabeth, grades 6-10 (500)
• First Ocean Charter School — Lakewood, grades K- 5 (340)
• International Academy of Greater Irvington — Hillside and Irvington, grades K-8 (698)
• Liberty Community Charter School — Trenton, grades K-6 (950)
• NPC Charter School — Newark, grades K-4 (375)
• Philip’s Academy Charter School of Paterson — Paterson, grades PK-3 (270)
• Regional Pneuma Academy CS for Science, Health and Tech — Asbury Park and Neptune Township, grades K-5 (240)
• Universal Business Academy — Englewood, grades 6-8 (195)