The Catalyst April 2019

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School: Securing a Mission to Teach in Dos Idiomas

Schoolchildren's great success in 2 languages

... The only English-Spanish public charter school in the state. ... The state’s first charter school to weight its admissions lottery toward low-income and English Language Learners. ... Student test results that outperform statewide math and ELA scores. ¿Que es esta escuela – y cómo lo ayudó TWG ? What is this school - and how did TWG assist? HoLa serves 400 K -8 schoolchildren in Hoboken N.J. With a traditional core curriculum, Hoboken Dual Language Charter School ( HoLa) is mission-driven to deliver excellent English-Spanish immersion education. Since welcoming the first students in 2010, academic success is a hallmark of the school’s entrepreneurial approach. Virtually all graduates go on to the region's best public, private, and magnet schools. But long-range financial success is not guaranteed. So HoLa turned to TWG for help.

Schoolhouse: tight money, a need for Friends

HoLa receives reduced per pupil funding from the local school district and no assistance towards its rented space, despite its growth and success. In need of a long-range financial plan, HoLa retained TWG to: Create a 10–year operating and financial plan to guide the school’s growth and development with a blend of public sector and private support. Create a "Friends" group, with incorporation and by-laws documents. Identify potential investments in discrete student–centered programs and activities to add depth to the core curriculum.   With our guidance, HoLa launched a new fundraising and "friend-raising" entity - The Friends of HoLa  - to ensure sustainability. TWG identified the private resources needed to fulfill the school’s vision. As a result, The Friends have funded classroom technology, a new library, and arts and music programs.

A model school: success measured on every level

From its start in 2010 with kindergarten through 2 nd grade, HoLa has grown steadily: the first 8 th grade graduation happened on schedule seven years later. With a committed Friends group providing student-centered value-added programs, the school has been able to focus without distraction on delivering excellent education in dos idiomas - in two languages. And it shows: HoLa is one of the county’s top charter schools, among the top 10% of U.S. charters, and a Model Program designated by the N.J. Dept. of Education. A winning formula: solid financial planning allows laser-focus on mission and program delivery.  ¡Un éxito!

To learn more about TWG's work with HoLa, click here.

Find out more about The Whelan Group and our services to non-profits. Call us at 212-727-7332 or email i [email protected] .  We want to hear about your organization's next steps.

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