The Robert Treat Academy Charter School offers elementary school-aged children, five and older, an opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and stimulating environment in which the core subjects of reading/language arts (special emphasis), mathematics, science, technology, social science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education and world languages are bonded to the values of self-worth, and respect for one another, one’s community, state and nation.

Students, parents/guardians, staff and adult community members each play a critical role in the Academy, a total involvement institution. Parental participation, year-round learning and cultural experiences demonstrate to all that success, hope, and perseverance are habits just as caring, compassion, and fairness are habits.

The Academy nurtures a total commitment to high academic standards, socially acceptable behavior and recognition that all individuals are created equal and must be given an equal educational opportunity.

Today at max enrollment, the Academy currently has approximately 700 students on its rolls across the two campuses. At the RTA SNA Campus, two sections of 25 students each fill grade levels from Kindergarten through Eight. While at the RTA JRC campus, there is one class on each grade level from Kindergarten through Eighth grade.

RTA Stephen N. Adubato Campus is housed in a specially constructed, state-of-the-art building with 18 classrooms, and specialty rooms including a library/media center. The 500-seat multi-purpose room does triple duty as an auditorium, gymnasium and cafeteria.

RTA Jackie Robinson Campus is located on the grounds of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School. That facility has nine classrooms, an art and music room, a new library/technology laboratory and a multi-purpose room that houses the cafeteria auditorium and gymnasium.

The Academy’s eleven-month school year begins in August, ends in June and includes approximately 205 days. Every 25-pupil classroom is staffed with a certified teacher and another professional who is either a second certified teacher or a teacher assistant.

The Academy’s professional day is eight hours; the school day is seven hours. The Extended School Day runs from 7:30 until 8:30 AM and from 3:30 - 5:30 PM to provide before and after care for students. This unique program offers students an opportunity to take remedial and enrichment courses in a safe and secure environment. Remedial programs include Language Enrichment, remedial classes in mathematics and Language Arts, Reading Recovery, Guided Reading, Tutoring, and Homework Assistance. Services for English Language Learners, Occupational and Physical Therapy and Speech and Counseling services are also provided.

Enrichment activities for the younger students include arts and crafts and story time, while older children participate in clubs including chorus, band, girls and boys basketball, technology, Girl Scouting. Activities for character building and community service are also included.

Students are selected in a lottery. To participate, children must be age eligible and parents must provide proof of Newark residency. Seventy-five new kindergarten students are selected each year. Siblings of existing students are given preference in accordance with the Charter School Program Act.

Because parental participation is crucial to our success, communication between the staff and parents is stressed. Eleven parent meetings are held annually and written report cards and interim reports are issued a total of ten times each year. Monthly classroom newsletters communicate individual classroom goals and objectives and keep parents apprised of the curriculum content and assignments for the month. A school-wide newsletter also reports general news to parents and the community each month. An annual Back-to-School Night kicks off an extensive list of parental opportunities for in-person feedback from teachers and administrators. A state-of-the-school report to parents by the principal takes place annually as do twice-a-year parent conferences and classroom visitation weeks. Information for parents as well as the general public can be found on our web site at View RobertTreat Academy.

The Academy nurtures the entire child. Students begin each day at a school-wide morning assembly. The program is led by students and built around the celebration of holidays and cultural events and the value and importance good moral fiber and positive personal attributes. Students commemorate famous historical events and individuals, display patriotism, and are immersed in themes that build character and self-worth.

The Academy is currently working with more than fifty boarding, private day and public schools to provide opportunities for our students to continue to receive an excellent education. Students from our first ten graduating classes have been accepted by some of the country’s most prestigious secondary schools. RTA alumni have attended Choate-Rosemary Hall, Phillips Academy Exeter, Phillips Andover Academy, The Lawrenceville School, St. Paul’s, and Deerfield. These students have been offered more than $30 million dollars in scholarships and financial aid since 2005.