Day in the Life | Hoboken Charter School

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Day in the Life

At Hoboken Charter School, we prepare students to think critically and empower them to advocate for equity and equality in our world. We do this by engaging our students through four unique pillars, which together support the academic excellence we all want for our children.

As part of their study of September 11th, 7th and 8th grade students conducted formal interviews with the adults in their lives who remember the events of that day. They shared what was learned through the interview and wrote essays reflecting on the impact September 11th had on individuals, the nation, and the world.

As part of their study of September 11th, 7th and 8th grade students conducted formal interviews with the adults in their lives who remember the events of that day. They shared what was learned through the interview and wrote essays reflecting on the impact September 11th had on individuals, the nation, and the world.

Once a week, middle schoolers meet with their small grades 5-8 student and teacher cohort to build community and important social-emotional and executive functioning skills.

Once a week, middle schoolers meet with their small grades 5-8 student and teacher cohort to build community and important social-emotional and executive functioning skills.

Everyone does their part at HCS. Kindergarteners sign their class contract committing to their role in building a strong, kind and respectful class community.

Everyone does their part at HCS. Kindergarteners sign their class contract committing to their role in building a strong, kind and respectful class community.

�Upper school students are delighted to be working with visiting artist Gil Rios (award winning filmmaker and educator specializing in uniting documentary storytelling and hip hop culture) in a Camera Skills elective - Maximizing your voice with film.

�Upper school students are delighted to be working with visiting artist Gil Rios (award winning filmmaker and educator specializing in uniting documentary storytelling and hip hop culture) in a Camera Skills elective - Maximizing your voice with film.

7th Graders investigate homemade bath bombs for their chemical reactions unit in Science.

7th Graders investigate homemade bath bombs for their chemical reactions unit in Science.

3rd graders wrapped up their mini-unit on neuroplasticity as they make clay models of the parts of the brain.

3rd graders have been learning about different parts of the brain and their functions, like the cerebrum for thinking, the cerebellum for movement, and the amygdala for emotions as well as about neuroplasticity (the brain can grow and change through learning and experiences). The message that brains are not fixed but can be developed and strengthened through new experiences and learning, even when making mistakes, is so valuable when starting a new school year as students embrace new challenges and see mistakes as opportunities for learning and brain growth.

3rd graders wrapped up their mini-unit on neuroplasticity as they make clay models of the parts of the brain.

3rd graders have been learning about different parts of the brain and their functions, like the cerebrum for thinking, the cerebellum for movement, and the amygdala for emotions as well as about neuroplasticity (the brain can grow and change through learning and experiences). The message that brains are not fixed but can be developed and strengthened through new experiences and learning, even when making mistakes, is so valuable when starting a new school year as students embrace new challenges and see mistakes as opportunities for learning and brain growth.

5th graders explore wavelength with slinkies in Science.

5th graders explore wavelength with slinkies in Science.

In the Upper School Forensics elective, students enhanced their observation skills with a crime scene sketching task.

In the Upper School Forensics elective, students enhanced their observation skills with a crime scene sketching task.

7th and 8th grade students in the Speak Up: Public Speaking enrichment elective practiced giving short extemporaneous speeches in small groups.

7th and 8th grade students in the Speak Up: Public Speaking enrichment elective practiced giving short extemporaneous speeches in small groups.

Fourth graders got their hands and eyes moving by practicing figure drawing from observation. Students were given various time limits to draw a model classmate. Students were challenged to using pens so they would focus on drawing and embracing mistakes rather than erasing.

Fourth graders got their hands and eyes moving by practicing figure drawing from observation. Students were given various time limits to draw a model classmate. Students were challenged to using pens so they would focus on drawing and embracing mistakes rather than erasing.

All students new to the Upper School take Foundations- a Mission Series course designed to help students gain an understanding of our unique mission. Last week these students started the year off right with a service project for the Hoboken Shelter.

All students new to the Upper School take Foundations- a Mission Series course designed to help students gain an understanding of our unique mission. Last week these students started the year off right with a service project for the Hoboken Shelter.

Thanks, Rumble Boxing Hoboken, for treating our teachers to a class last night upon the culmination of the first week of school! Everyone loved it!

Thanks, Rumble Boxing Hoboken, for treating our teachers to a class last night upon the culmination of the first week of school! Everyone loved it!

Upper school students have been engaged in hands-on chemistry labs.

Upper school students have been engaged in hands-on chemistry labs.

3rd graders have been learning about different parts of the brain and their functions, like the cerebrum for thinking, the cerebellum for movement, and the amygdala for emotions as well as about neuroplasticity (the brain can grow and change through learning and experiences). The message that brains are not fixed but can be developed and strengthened through new experiences and learning, even when making mistakes, is so valuable when starting a new school year as students embrace new challenges and see mistakes as opportunities for learning and brain growth.

3rd graders have been learning about different parts of the brain and their functions, like the cerebrum for thinking, the cerebellum for movement, and the amygdala for emotions as well as about neuroplasticity (the brain can grow and change through learning and experiences). The message that brains are not fixed but can be developed and strengthened through new experiences and learning, even when making mistakes, is so valuable when starting a new school year as students embrace new challenges and see mistakes as opportunities for learning and brain growth.

Middle School students engaged in a team challenge working on communicating effectively to prepare for science labs and investigations throughout the year.

Middle School students engaged in a team challenge working on communicating effectively to prepare for science labs and investigations throughout the year.

Our setting allows for unique, mission-driven, personalized learning experiences where every child’s voice shapes their education. Our small size and inclusive learning environment allow for deep, meaningful relationships between students, faculty, staff and families.

Want to learn more? Link in bio.

Our setting allows for unique, mission-driven, personalized learning experiences where every child’s voice shapes their education. Our small size and inclusive learning environment allow for deep, meaningful relationships between students, faculty, staff and families.

Want to learn more? Link in bio.

HCS upper school students engaged in a World History scavenger hunt for primary and secondary sources at the Hoboken Historical Museum.

HCS upper school students engaged in a World History scavenger hunt for primary and secondary sources at the Hoboken Historical Museum.

Middle school mission lab students enjoyed their first day of Science Olympiad.

Middle school mission lab students enjoyed their first day of Science Olympiad.

Last night, the Hoboken City Council unanimously passed historic legislation to share developer PILOT funds with the four Hoboken public districts - a first in NJ. This will give HCS additional revenue and create a new mechanism for future PILOTs to be shared with all of Hoboken’s public school students.

This legislation is the work of a four year effort between the Hoboken City Council, Mayor Bhalla and the City of Hoboken, Elysian Charter, HoLa, the Hoboken Board of Education and Hoboken Charter. It’s a true testament to the great things we can all do when we work together.

Last night, the Hoboken City Council unanimously passed historic legislation to share developer PILOT funds with the four Hoboken public districts - a first in NJ. This will give HCS additional revenue and create a new mechanism for future PILOTs to be shared with all of Hoboken’s public school students.

This legislation is the work of a four year effort between the Hoboken City Council, Mayor Bhalla and the City of Hoboken, Elysian Charter, HoLa, the Hoboken Board of Education and Hoboken Charter. It’s a true testament to the great things we can all do when we work together.

There are so many opportunities the first week of school to engage in community building as well as exercises to welcome new students and reconnect with those who have returned.

There are so many opportunities the first week of school to engage in community building as well as exercises to welcome new students and reconnect with those who have returned.

Social justice conversations occur across all disciplines at HCS, including math!

Social justice conversations occur across all disciplines at HCS, including math!

2nd graders read How Full Is Your Bucket? yesterday and learned what it means to be a bucket filler. They all wrote a personalized note to a classmate this morning sharing how that classmate "fills their bucket."

2nd graders read How Full Is Your Bucket? yesterday and learned what it means to be a bucket filler. They all wrote a personalized note to a classmate this morning sharing how that classmate "fills their bucket."

8th grade students reviewed key concepts from their 7th grade year to 'earn' note cards and then worked together to try and build the tallest structure. It was a physical representation of building on their knowledge from previous years to reach new heights.

8th grade students reviewed key concepts from their 7th grade year to 'earn' note cards and then worked together to try and build the tallest structure. It was a physical representation of building on their knowledge from previous years to reach new heights.

HCS 2024-2025 first day is in the books!

HCS 2024-2025 first day is in the books!

It's wonderful to have our K-12 students back on-site for our first day of the 2024-2025 school year. We look forward to another incredible year!

It's wonderful to have our K-12 students back on-site for our first day of the 2024-2025 school year. We look forward to another incredible year!

Hoboken Charter School, the HCS Board of Trustees and the Friends of HCS invite all HCS families to join us for the first day of school celebration! Stop by from 7:45 am onward to get your back to school pics and come meet the Board and Friends for coffee and bagels after drop off!

Hoboken Charter School, the HCS Board of Trustees and the Friends of HCS invite all HCS families to join us for the first day of school celebration! Stop by from 7:45 am onward to get your back to school pics and come meet the Board and Friends for coffee and bagels after drop off!

HCS teachers and staff have been in sessions all week preparing to welcome our amazing K-12 students back to school on Tuesday. Sessions have been about effective co-teaching practices, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students and delivering meaningful mission-aligned instruction.

HCS teachers and staff have been in sessions all week preparing to welcome our amazing K-12 students back to school on Tuesday. Sessions have been about effective co-teaching practices, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students and delivering meaningful mission-aligned instruction.

Hoboken Charter School is a community dedicated to social justice, service-learning and learner-centered education. We seek personal, civic, academic and artistic growth for all of our members. Through an individual and shared journey, students come to know who they are and how they can change the world.

Want to learn more? Link in bio.

Hoboken Charter School is a community dedicated to social justice, service-learning and learner-centered education. We seek personal, civic, academic and artistic growth for all of our members. Through an individual and shared journey, students come to know who they are and how they can change the world.

Want to learn more? Link in bio.

Thanks to Ms. Ballman for bringing her summer book club group to the Books Are Magic bookstore in Brooklyn where Hoboken Charter School upper school students who have been reading Kiley Reid’s bestselling novel Such a Fun Age had an opportunity to meet the author and discuss the book in an intimate setting of only 20 people! They also listened to Kate Weinberg read from her book released this week- There’s Nothing Wrong with Her. What an incredible experience to learn from these two inspiring women authors!

Thanks to Ms. Ballman for bringing her summer book club group to the Books Are Magic bookstore in Brooklyn where Hoboken Charter School upper school students who have been reading Kiley Reid’s bestselling novel Such a Fun Age had an opportunity to meet the author and discuss the book in an intimate setting of only 20 people! They also listened to Kate Weinberg read from her book released this week- There’s Nothing Wrong with Her. What an incredible experience to learn from these two inspiring women authors!

Our last week of HCS camp was a blast as always with climbing walls, roller coasters, water parks, sports, board games, arts and crafts and a special visit from Rumble Boxing. Thanks to our amazing teachers and parent and alum chaperones for making this incredible camp possible.

Our last week of HCS camp was a blast as always with climbing walls, roller coasters, water parks, sports, board games, arts and crafts and a special visit from Rumble Boxing. Thanks to our amazing teachers and parent and alum chaperones for making this incredible camp possible.

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