Chad Just Keeps Getting Better

[Reprinted from Issues & Views Winter 1998]

When looking at the accomplishments of the newest graduates of the Chad School, it is easy to speculate on "what might have been" for the scores of all-black schools that were forced to close their doors, in order to comply with integration decrees.

Chad began as a dream in the 1960s, in Newark, New Jersey, when a group of residents began a tutoring program at the local YMCA. This experience proved to them the great need for an effective alternative to the public school system. The group, led by Leon Moore, Betty James and Cliff Carter, drafted a statement of mission (which included the objective to "show inner-city young people they can achieve and succeed within the societal system with a good education"), and set out to find space to make their school a reality.

The word spread in Newark and the students began to come. The row house that was rented on Clinton Avenue was soon outgrown. Thanks to some generous donors, who recognized commitment when they saw it, the Chad staff was able to rent adjoining row houses.

In the early 1980s, the staff began an intensive fundraising campaign, in order to purchase the building of a former parochial school on South 9th Street. Serving as their own contractors, teachers, parents and neighbors completed renovation in 1986, and the Chad School finally had a spacious facility for its growing numbers of pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students.

The school recruited some of the best teachers, several leaving higher paying public school jobs to participate in this special venture. With phonics and mathematics as the educational mainstay, discipline is the rule and training is rigorous. Eighth graders at Chad are instructed from the same science curriculum as that used by 11th graders in most public schools.

And, speaking of science, in 1992, another Chad dream was fulfilled, with the opening of the Chad Science Academy. At the Academy, a dedicated faculty trains youngsters to prepare for careers in the various sciences, mathematics and technology. In 1996, the Academy graduated its first class, and in 1997, the second class of 42 graduated--all of whom are now in college studying for careers in science, business and law. All of the Academy's current 64 seniors have had their applications accepted by colleges.

In off-season, the Academy runs what it calls "High-Tech" urban summer camps. In this unique summer program students get to interact with scientists and industry professionals, as they acquire hands-on experience in eight technological fields, including electronics and robotics, film and video production, and computer science. A pleased Steve Forbes, writing in Forbes magazine, says about Chad, "Here teachers impressively demonstrate that they can be supportive while upholding high standards of performance."

For further information about the Chad School and the Chad Science Academy, or to make an always appreciated financial contribution, contact: W. Leon Moore, The Chad School, 308 South 9th Street, Newark, NJ 07103; (201) 622-4353.

Copyright 1996 © Issues & Views