Our Unique Model

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:

Social Justice Education

We empower students to explore identity, embrace diversity and stand up for equity and justice in our world.

Learner-Centered Education

We engage students in active, authentic, and personalized learning so they receive what they need to thrive academically and personally and become independent problem-solvers and lifelong learners.

Service-Learning

We embolden students to develop a sense of responsibility and think for themselves as they learn by tackling real-world problems and connecting with the community.

Interage Experiences

We create opportunities for cross-grade learning, build community, and provide both mentorship and leadership experiences.

Students at HCS engage in numerous learning experiences that combine identity, diversity, justice, and action. Lessons often cross age groups and subjects. Service-learning intersects with social justice education, reinforcing academic content and life skills.

Here’s how else students benefit from our integrated learning experiences:

Specialized Coursework

While every course ties into our mission, some allow for deeper exploration. For example, middle school students elect six different cross-grade mission labs each year, through which they explore a social justice issue and work on an action project they plan with their peers. Recent labs include Craftivism, World Drumming, Podcasting Activism, Current Events and Social Issues and Advocacy Journalism.

Personalized Learning

Student voice, choice, and personalization are key to our learner-centered approach. We believe students learn best when they have a say in their education and can pursue their interests. Our courses offer opportunities to link classroom learning with real-world experiences. This hands-on approach helps students see the impact of their education and prepares them for

future success.

Advanced Opportunities

Upper School students can explore their interests through dual-enrollment courses and independent studies. Through our partnerships with local universities, they can earn college credit while still in Upper School through courses either at these colleges or onsite at HCS. Recent examples of onsite courses include Introduction to Criminal Justice, The Modern World, African American Literature, Cross Cultural Perspectives, Introduction to African American History and Tomorrow’s Teachers.

Hands-on Experiences

All our courses incorporate collaboration, hands-on learning, and real-world connections, making education authentic and engaging. These principles form the foundation for using service-learning as an instructional tool to reinforce academic content and skills

through action.

Four Cornerstones

Hoboken Charter School has an ongoing history of strong academic achievement and demand in our community. We focus on our four cornerstones: academic, artistic, personal, and civic growth.

Our learner-centered approach and service-learning support these key areas.

Academics

The rigorous academic program at HCS meets and exceeds the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. Our approach blends hands-on, inquiry-based learning, and computer technologies that extend beyond the school's walls, making student-driven exploration a key part of their education.

In-Depth Learning: Our lesson plans focus on large interdisciplinary themes, which connect subjects like math, science, social studies, and language arts. We dive deep into concepts and ideas to help students see the connections between different areas of knowledge.
Collaborative Solutions: Students work independently and as a team, tackling problems that require them to combine knowledge from various subjects and often have no single correct solution. This kind of problem-solving encourages creative thinking and prepares them for real-world challenges.

At HCS, we combine broad thematic instruction with personalized attention, allowing students to explore subjects deeply and understand key ideas. They then apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and real life, making their education practical and relevant.

Arts

Students use the arts to understand their lives, relationships, and community. The arts give students opportunities to make choices, analyze relationships, and create their own interpretations.

Creative Expression: Students are encouraged to express themselves through various artistic media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, music, theater, and movement. Learning is tailored to each student’s needs and desires, with the support to help them effectively communicate through the arts.

Real-World Experiences: Students have the opportunity to learn from local artists, musicians, actors, dancers, and writers. They also experience art in museums, theaters, galleries, and studios, further enriching their education and helping them develop a sophisticated understanding of the world around them.

Personal Growth

At HCS, we prioritize our students' physical, emotional, and psychological development. We help them overcome individual challenges and recognize their capacity to meet and exceed personal goals.

Skillbuilding: Students learn to give and receive positive feedback, which allows them to develop ideas and build strong relationships. They also gain reflective skills and learn about maintaining the health of their bodies and minds.

Compassion: Students learn to respect and understand people from different cultural backgrounds, genders, ages, and economic levels. This inclusive approach helps them grow to become compassionate, well-rounded individuals.

Civics

Students learn of their importance as members of the Hoboken community through civic duty and responsibility and understand how their actions impact the world around them.

Change Agents: Students realize what it means to be active citizens in a democracy, discover their potential, and learn how they can change the world. By discovering their sense of responsibility to others, students develop a passion for justice and equality.
Community Engagement: Students identify community needs, develop plans to address these needs, participate in implementing these plans, and evaluate their efforts. These projects contribute to the community and give students the chance to take on leadership roles.