Hoboken Dual Language Charter School Receives a 2023 School Leader Award from the New Jersey
School Boards Association

First Public Charter School in the State to Receive This Recognition

HOBOKEN, NJ – Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) is thrilled to announce that it has been honored with a 2023 School Leader Award from the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), becoming the first charter school to receive this esteemed award celebrating outstanding contributions to public education.

This NJSBA School Leader Award is a testament to HoLa’s unwavering commitment to innovation and its dedication to inspiring student growth and development. HoLa was specifically recognized for the successful launch of its AP Spanish program in Middle School, a groundbreaking initiative that has significantly enriched the educational experience of its students.

Jen Sargent, HoLa’s Executive Director and co-founder, expressed her gratitude for the award, saying, “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire HoLa community. We are honored to be recognized by the NJSBA for our innovative programs and our commitment to student success. This remarkable success stems from the unique experience our students receive, starting in Kindergarten, where they seamlessly master the art of reading and writing in both Spanish and English.”

HoLa’s dual language program, starting in Kindergarten, fosters advanced bilingual proficiency by 8th grade, preparing students for College Board-approved coursework. While AP classes typically begin in 9th grade, an exception is made for Middle School students in approved world language and culture courses. HoLa’s AP Middle School curriculum, developed entirely by its faculty and instructional leaders, exemplifies the school’s rapid progress since its chartering just eleven years ago.

For example, HoLa’s 8th graders delved into impactful works like “Cuando Era Puertorriqueña” by Esmeralda Santiago and “Quien Cuenta Las Estrellas” by Lois Lowry. These novels fueled discussions and cultural analyses of global social responsibility, prompting students to explore their role in society and advocate for change, and allowed students to forge connections with Spanish-speaking peers in Spain through a foreign
correspondence program.

HoLa’s innovative spirit and dedication to fostering a sense of community have been instrumental in its continued success. This School Leader Award reflects HoLa’s commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities that empower students to excel academically and personally.

Nicole Cammarota, President of HoLa’s Board of Trustees, expressed her pride in the school’s accomplishment, stating, “It’s not easy to blaze new trails year after year. I want to take this opportunity to thank our talented teachers, administrators, and staff, our incredible parent community, our hard-working Board of Trustees and Friends of HoLa teams, and, of course, our dedicated co-founder and Executive Director, Jen Sargent. In my opinion, the key to HoLa’s continued success is our collective sense of community. Thank you for making HoLa such a special place for our children.”

Harry Lee, President and CEO of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association, congratulated HoLa on this remarkable achievement, stating, “HoLa’s commitment to student growth and innovation exemplifies the charter school sector’s dedication to providing high-quality education in New Jersey. We are delighted to see Hoboken Dual Language Charter School recognized for their remarkable language acquisition program, which sets a powerful example for the importance of bilingual education and showcases just how exceptional it can be when implemented effectively.”

HoLa’s School Leader Award will be presented to their leadership team at a Hudson County School Boards Association (HCSBA) event on November 28th. Furthermore, HoLa will be featured in the NJSBA School Leader magazine later this year, showcasing the school’s pioneering efforts in education.

HoLa continues to be a beacon of educational excellence, inspiring students, parents, and educators alike with its innovative programs and dedication to fostering a strong sense of community. For more information about HoLa Hoboken Dual Language Charter School, please visit www.holahoboken.org.

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About Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa):
HoLa is a K-8 dual language immersion public charter school in Hoboken, NJ with over 415 students. Students predominantly join HoLa in Kindergarten and, regardless of language background, spend 90% of their day in Spanish-speaking classrooms in the early grades. Students gradually receive increasing amounts of instruction in English as they get older, and by 4th grade, instruction is 50% Spanish and 50% English. HoLa is committed to providing an exceptional education in Spanish and English to develop engaged, well-rounded bilingual
citizens with a global and multicultural perspective, who take personal responsibility for becoming positive
members of their communities.

About the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association:
The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association is the non-profit membership association that represents the state’s charter school community and, by extension, charter school students and their parents. There are currently 85 public charter schools in New Jersey serving more than 60,000 students. We are committed to advancing quality public education for New Jersey’s children through the cultivation of excellent public charter schools. The Association seeks to influence legislative and policy environments, leverage collective advocacy, and provide resources to support our members in developing and operating high quality, public charter schools.