For the 2026 school year, there are 8 blue ribbon public charter schools serving 10,472 students in New Jersey.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public charter schools in New Jersey are Princeton Charter School, The Gray Charter School and Soaring Heights Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New Jersey blue ribbon public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the New Jersey public charter school average of 29%), and reading proficiency score of 66% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public charter school average of 94% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Charter Schools in New Jersey (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Princeton Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
100 Bunn Drive
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 924-0575
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 924-0575
Gr: K-8 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #22.
The Gray Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
55 Liberty Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Gr: K-8 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #33.
Soaring Heights Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Romar Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 434-4800
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 434-4800
Gr: K-8 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #44.
Central Jersey College Prep Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
101 Mettlers Road
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 649-3954
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 649-3954
Gr: K-12 | 1,396 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #55.
Robert Treat Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
443 Clifton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 482-8811
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 482-8811
Gr: K-8 | 702 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #66.
North Star Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10 Washington Place
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-0101
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-0101
Gr: K-12 | 6,714 students Student-teacher ratio: 35:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #77.
Classical Academy Charter School Of Clifton
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1255 Main Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 278-7707
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 278-7707
Gr: 5-8 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #88.
Pace Charter School Of Hamilton
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
52 Lafayette Ave
Trenton, NJ 08610
(609) 599-1212
Trenton, NJ 08610
(609) 599-1212
Gr: K-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public charter schools in New Jersey?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public charter schools in New Jersey include Princeton Charter School, The Gray Charter School and Soaring Heights Charter School.
How many blue ribbon public charter schools are located in New Jersey?
8 blue ribbon public charter schools are located in New Jersey.
What is the racial composition of students in New Jersey?
New Jersey blue ribbon public charter schools minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public charter schools average of 94% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.