College Achieve Paterson Outperforms State Scores by Nearly 20 Points On NJSLA English Language Arts Outcomes
School ranks #1 among New Jersey Charter Management Organizations in ELA for the second year, triples district performance on the NJSLA
January 23, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Paterson, NJ ― College Achieve Paterson Charter School (CAPS Paterson) posted standout results on the 2025 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA), with students delivering elite performance in English Language Arts (ELA). Overall ELA proficiency reached 72.4%, nearly 20 points above the state average and almost triple Paterson Public Schools’ results, earning CAPS Paterson the distinction of New Jersey’s top‑ranked charter school in ELA for the second consecutive year. Students also outperformed both statewide and district benchmarks in math, reinforcing CAPS Paterson’s position as a statewide leader in academic achievement.
“I come from this community. You do not lack talent. You lack access. When schools bring high standards and real support together, students step into who they already are.” said Dr. Gemar Mills, Chief Academic Officer, College Achieve Public Schools. “At CAPS Paterson, scholars lead the state in ELA and math. You see those results because your teachers build readers early, hold high expectations, and meet every scholar where they stand. Your zip code does not define your future. Your work and your schools do.”
Subgroup ELA outcomes were even more striking. Hispanic students achieved 75.0% proficiency, dramatically outperforming their statewide and district peers, while Black students achieved 66.5%, exceeding both state and local benchmarks. Economically disadvantaged students posted 72.1% proficiency, nearly double the state rate, and students with disabilities reached 63.6%, more than three times the statewide average.
- Hispanic students reached 75.0% proficiency in ELA, nearly doubling the statewide Hispanic average of 38.7% and more than tripling district performance (23.0%).
- Black students achieved 66.5% proficiency in ELA, nearly 30 points above the statewide Black average of 37.2% and more than 40 points higher than Paterson Public Schools (22.2%).
- Economically disadvantaged students, who make up the majority of CAPS Paterson’s enrollment, posted 72.1% proficiency, almost double the statewide rate of 36.6% and nearly triple Paterson
district outcomes (26.5%). - Students with disabilities achieved 63.6% proficiency, outperforming the state average of 19.1% and far exceeding Paterson Public Schools (12.3%).
- Multilingual learners reached 57.1% proficiency, surpassing the statewide average of 24.3% and outperforming district peers by a wide margin.
Math results further reinforce CAPS Paterson’s academic strength. Overall math proficiency reached 42.9%, exceeding the statewide average and more than doubling Paterson Public Schools’ 16.8%.
Math Highlights
- Hispanic students achieved 46.7% proficiency in math, far above both state (25.4%) and district (14.6%) benchmarks.
- Black students reached 34.2% proficiency, outperforming the statewide Black average of 21.5% and more than tripling district results (10.8%).
- Economically disadvantaged students posted 43.4% proficiency, nearly double the statewide rate of 23.7% and more than two and a half times the district performance (17.1%).
- Students with disabilities achieved 19.5% proficiency, exceeding both the state average of 16.0% and district results (10.8%).