Community partners include:

 

  History

Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary!

Marion P. Thomas Charter School (MPTCS) received its charter in 1998 and opened in 1999 with 60 students in grades K-2. MPTCS was conceived by a group of committed Newark community activists and parents, under the direction of the late Rev. Dr. Charles E. Thomas, pastor emeritus of The New Hope Baptist Church in Newark. With a commitment of $1 million from New Hope, MPTCS opened its doors in a four classroom facility in the North Ward. Today, there are 540 students in grades K-8 operating out of two campuses. Grades K-4 at 370 S. 7th St., headed by Principal Clinton and a Middle School (Grades 5-8) at 308 S. 9th St, headed by Principal Pringle. There is also a site in development on Sussex Avenue

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In ten years, MPTCS has celebrated several milestones:

  • In 2009 10th Anniversary Celebration and Middle School Opening
  • In 2008 Commissioner Lucille Davy served as Grand Marshall for the ground breaking ceremony for the new facility on Sussex Ave.
  • In 2007 MPTCS successfully underwent charter renewal and was approved for expansion to 600 students.
  • In 2007 MPTCS was the first charter school in New Jersey to be approved to undergo Middle States Accreditation.
  • In 2006 MPTCS graduated its first 8th grade class and Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells was the commencement speaker.
  • In 2006 the school purchased its first facility with the help of Prudential and New Jersey Community Capital Corporation.
  • In 2006 The Victoria Foundation and the City of Newark partnered to construct a playground on sight.
  • In the 2005 school report card, MPTCS was the most improved school in the state as increasing student scores by 45.1% on the NJASK statewide test.
  • UMDNJ has partnered through the School of Nursing to develop our Health curriculum and offer health-related programming for students and staff.
  • NJIT has worked collaboratively through its graduate programs to provide science curriculum development along with programming in grades 5 and 6.
  • Schering-Plough has sponsored an annual science fair and funding for development of the science program at MPTCS.
  • Leadership Newark as a community initiative has developed a leadership program for 8th grade students.
  • MPTCS has partnered with The New Jersey Charter School Association to present a charter school fair for all 6-8 grade charter school students. Over 50 private, boarding, Parochial and magnate schools have participated.
  • Each year there is a community celebration and fundraiser Fathers for our Children, saluting men in the community who are role models. Sponsors include PSE&G, Schering Plough and City National Bank.

  Charter School Facts

  • Charter Schools are innovative public schools started by parents, teachers or members of the community. 
  • They operate independently of local boards of education under a charter granted by the State Commissioner of Education.
  • There are 63 schools currently chartered in New Jersey.
  • Parents and the community are deeply involved in the creation and operation of the school.
  • Charter Schools charge no tuition.
  • Charter schools receive 90 percent of the local per-pupil expenditure for each student attending.     
  • Charter schools do not receive facilities funding.

 Board of Trustees

Chair
 Brian Hankerson, AT&T

Board Chair
Denelle Waynick, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Vice Chair

Karen Thomas, MPTCS Chief Executive Officer, Board Secretary

Greg Collins, GCollins Co., LLC

David Blount, Sprint

Richard Constable, Attorney

Linda Fore, Parent

Sheila Jackson, Parent

Amelita McDowell, Civic organization leader

Jose Seguerra , CURA, Inc.

Patricia Smith-Keith, Orange School District

Christopher Pringle, MPTCS Middle School Principal

Birdean Clinton, MPTCS Elementary School Principal

Gail Long, MPTCS Controller

Maria Parelis, MPTCS Teacher

Alicia Williams, MPTCS Teacher

Marion P. Thomas Charter School
370 South 7th St. • Newark, NJ • 07103
973.621.0060 (Office) • 973.621.0061 (Fax)