FA Expansion: Building Futures, Expanding Equity

Picture a small middle school, tucked away in a borrowed building on South Broad Street, with dreams as big as the hearts of its students. That was Foundation Academies in 2007.

Like our scholars, who have blossomed into bright, ambitious individuals eager to conquer the world, we have grown. And our journey – like theirs – is far from over.

This fall, FA is expanding our kindergarten as a first step to providing more Trenton children the quality education they deserve. Next month, Foundation Academy will seek city approval for construction of a new high school campus a few blocks from FA Collegiate to open in 2026.

“Our new high school will be more than a building: it's a symbol of our unwavering commitment to our scholars,’ Mrs. McRae said. “It's about creating spaces where dreams take flight, where passions are ignited, and where every child knows they belong.”

We have selected 350 Grand St., the former Horsman Doll Factory, and expect to begin construction later this year, and open our new high school for the 2026-27 school year.

Opening a third campus aligns with our mission to provide quality education to more children in our community. FA now educates more than 1,000 students as the only K-12 public charter school in Trenton. In recent years, more Trenton children have been on our waiting list than in our classrooms.

“School facilities aren't just about bricks and mortar; they're about equity,” Mrs. McRae said. “They're about sending a message to our scholars: you are valued, you are worthy, and you deserve the very best.”

To meet this demand, FA in 2020 received approval to expand from the NJ Department of Education. Expansion is underway for the 2024-25 school year with seats added for kindergarten.

FA plans to continue adding seats each year moving forward, with Middle School moving to the current high school campus and construction of a new high school to be open for scholars in 2026.

“Foundation Academy isn't just a school; it's a movement – a movement to transform not only the lives of our scholars but the fabric of our community,” Mrs. McRae said. “By providing safe, beautiful spaces for our children to learn and grow, we're not just enhancing buildings; we're building futures.”