Main Content
Robert Treat Academy Charter School History
Robert Treat Academy Charter School was founded by The North Ward Center, Inc., led by Stephen N. Adubato, its Founder and former Executive Director.
The Center, a private, non-profit, social service agency has provided preschool and adult education, youth development and recreational programs, and senior citizen services. It has been involved in neighborhood stabilization efforts in the City of Newark, New Jersey, since 1970.
In 1996, the state legislature passed the New Jersey Charter School Program Act making it possible for citizen groups to apply for a "charter " (a contract with the State of New Jersey) to operate a public school.
Mr. Adubato, an urban educator and lifelong Newark resident, believed that children in America's inner city school districts were not being served by the existing public school system. With the creation of the Academy, he set out to prove that minority children could be successful if given the tools they required by people who believed in their ability to achieve.
The Robert Treat Academy's charter was approved in January 1997 as part of the first cohort of New Jersey charter schools. Two classes each of kindergarten and first grade students were selected through a lottery and in September 1997, the Academy became the first charter school in the State of New Jersey to open its doors.
Principal Michael A. Pallante joined the Academy in 1998 and served as its leader until 2010 when Vice Principal Theresa Adubato assumed that role. Today Vice Principal Marcelino Trillo works with Ms. Adubato to lead our dedicated staff and faculty which is supported by a long tradition of parental involvement.
The Academy has been able to achieve its goal of providing a superior educational program for Newark students, and has had a very positive impact on the surrounding community.
Over its first eight years, the Academy added one grade annually. In 2005, with the addition of eighth grade, the growth anticipated in its charter application was completed and the Academy graduated its first class of students.
In August 2009, the Academy expanded its enrollment by adding a second campus in Newark's Central Ward. The new facility will follow the same growth plan outlined in the original charter. In 2010-2011 one class each of 25 kindergarten, first and second grade students attend RTA Central. Third grade will be added in 2011-2012 and subsequent grades will be added annually.
