MARION P. THOMAS CHARTER SCHOOL

LAUNCHES NEW SCHOOL  AND ANNOUNCES NEWLY THEMED SCHOOLS

 Marion P. Thomas Charter School (MPTCS), a 19 year-old independently-managed charter school, started by community members to prepare students for college, careers and to give back to their communities, will add a new school to its district.   MPTCS PAC (performing arts & culinary) Academy will open its doors to families from Newark and neighboring communities in the Fall of 2018.  PAC Academy will offer PreK-3 through 8^th Grade and will be located in Newark’s Central Ward at 28 Burnet St.   MPTCS’ current Middle School Principal, Genique Hamilton, will serve as the founding principal and the middle school students will follow her to PAC Academy.

PAC Academy will provide rigorous instruction on the fundamentals: reading, writing, math and science, and will integrate performing and culinary arts-related project-based learning, activities and programs to enrich students’ educational experience.  “This unique approach to education will encourage exploration, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.  These are skills necessary to prepare children for the workforce of the future” explained Misha Simmonds, MPTCS’ Interim Chief School Administrator.    “Research reveals that the arts motivates children to excel.  Additionally, it will expose our students to fields that will be further cultivated when they reach the MPTCS High School of Culinary & Performing arts,” said Mr. Simmonds

The MPTCS District:  Transforming Schools and Students

MPTCS is returning to the PreK to 8^th Grade Model.  The district will feature three themed elementary schools and a high school. In addition to PAC Academy, MPTCS will introduce the newly themed MPTCS STEAM Academy, formerly known as the Elementary School.  STEAM Academy will integrate science, technology, engineering, the arts & math project-based learning and programs into the curriculum (both in and out of the classroom).  “I think students are going to love the changes they will experience,” exclaimed Lisa Finn-Bruce, Principal of the STEAM Academy.  “It will be student centered, involving the development of 21st century skills such as innovation, problem-solving, flexibility and adaptability,” said Finn-Bruce.   SELECT Academy, which opened in 2017, will continue to offer all boys and all girls classes and cater to the different learning styles of each gender.  The MPTCS High School of Culinary and Performing Arts will expand upon the fundamental skills learned in the elementary schools and add new challenges and rigor to equip emerging teens for college and/or careers.

RFP  for 2018-2019 Vended Meals contract
Click Here for Form

Major League Baseball Player Donates Sports Equipment

Zack Granite, major league baseball player for the Minnesota Twins and Ms. Gregory, MPTCS teacher, are surrounded by the scholars of MPTCS Elementary School who are all smiles thanks to Zack's generous donation of sports gear.  Zack also spoke to our scholars about the importance of staying active and how to balance school and sports.  Thanks for visiting our village Zack!

MPTCS High School of Culinary & Performing Arts served as the host venue for the premier screening of the music video "FLY."  The video, starring vocalist and songwriter April Peters, featured MPTCS high school scholars in a number of scenes at the school.  The inspirational video was directed by cinematographer Joshua James of REBEL Films Productions.  

Check out the video by clicking here:  FLY featuring April Peters and the scholars of MPTCS directed by Joshua James