Yes. Charter schools are 100% tuition-free public schools.

There is no fee to enroll or to apply. By law, public charter schools CANNOT charge a fee or tuition for application or enrollment.

Charter schools are publicly-funded. The vast majority of funding for charter schools comes from federal, state, and local tax dollars. As with all public schools, charter schools fundraise from a variety of sources, such as families at the school, local businesses, and foundations.

No. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools run by non-profit organizations open to all students regardless of zip code, race/ethnicity, or ability level. There are no admission tests or special entrance requirements.

Yes. Foundation Academies is a free public charter school, which means it is free and open to ALL students, including those with special needs or those who are learning English.

 Yes. Charter schools apply teaching methods to meet the needs of ALL students. Foundation Academies serves students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 Accommodation Plans, and English Language Learner (ELL) services. Upon enrollment, your child’s educational plan will be tailored to fit his or her individual needs.

Charter schools are governed by an independent non-profit board of trustees, authorized by the Commissioner of Education (NJDOE), and run on four- to five-year performance contracts.

Yes. Charter schools are subject to state laws related to health, safety, civil rights, certification, academic standards, and student assessment.

No, you are not required to live in Trenton to apply. Foundation Academies students can live anywhere in the State of New Jersey. However, Trenton residents get first priority for admission. If spaces remain after the admission of all eligible Trenton residents, non-resident applicants -  also selected by lottery - may be admitted. 

Each applicant is assigned a random number for the lottery held annually during the month of March. Students are placed in the order in which their number was drawn to fill the available open spaces.

For example:

Your child has applied for a seat in the 5th grade. If their lottery number is selected first in the lottery drawing, he/she will be admitted, as long as there is a space available in 5th grade. 

If a space is not available in the 5th grade, your child will not be admitted, unless and until a seat becomes available (which can happen at any time during the school year). In this case, your child will be placed on the Wait List. 

Your child will remain on the Wait List until the end of the school year, at which time the Wait List expires.

Attendance at the lottery is not mandatory and has no effect on your child’s potential for admission. If your child is admitted, Foundation Academies staff will contact you regarding admission and completing the enrollment packet.