Achievers Early College Prep Charter School (AECP) is New Jersey’s first public charter school for students in grades 6-12 that provides them with the unique opportunity to take a two-year course of study in STEM fields following the 10th grade, enabling them to redefine the high school experience and graduate with skills, experiences, and content mastery that’s significant to them in the market place and the world beyond.
AECP wants to make it possible for students in Trenton to earn, at no or low cost:
This alternative to a traditional middle and high school is founded on the belief that many underserved minority students are not prepared early enough for college and competitive STEM studies. They tend to lack the emotional and financial resources to apply to, enroll in, and complete degrees of study that will be professionally and financially rewarding in the long run. Achievers Early College Prep benefits from the leadership and experience of New York and New Jersey-based charter school operators, teachers, college professors, community leaders and early college school leaders.
Middle schools and high schools need to innovate significantly to educate our kids for tomorrow’s industries.
In what's being hailed as the next Opportunity Gap, African-Americans and Latinos are trailing behind their White and Asian counterparts taking part in the science, technology and engineering education and careers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that, during the period 2010–2020, employment in S&E occupations will grow by 18.7%, compared to 14.3% for all occupations. The National Science Foundation projects that individuals employed in S&E occupations earn considerably more than the median earnings for all occupations. Median earnings for S&E occupations were $74,380 in 2009 and $78,270 in 2012. Median earnings for all occupations were $33,190 in 2009 and $34,750 in 2012. Why STEAM professions matter
Bottom-line: A STEAM career is a sure way to secure your economic future. If low-income African-American and Latino students do not get early exposure to STEAM sciences and careers, and have the chance to build their skills in these areas, these groups risk being shut out of the most promising gateway into the middle class and economic opportunity for years to come.
This career pathway gives you the opportunity to earn a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificate. This credential can either be used to begin a career in IT, typically as a computer network technician OR serve as a foundation for a college level computer science education.
This career pathway introduces students to Music/Audio Production using Soundtrap for Education. Students will work their way to learning Avid Pro Tools application, with the option of earning certification through the Avid Learning Academy. Pro Tools software is used in most recording and broadcast studios. Our goal is for all scholars in our audio engineering career pathway to graduate high school with this certification.
Students in this career pathway will become an Adobe Photoshop Visual Design Certified Professional. In addition to becoming credential users of this program, students will also explore careers in the design industry as they learn how to design, create, and publish digital media.
Coming Soon!
Students will engage in healthy competition using various video game platforms. Gameplay has been shown to increase strategic and critical thinking in students. Student games will be supervised so that the selection of games is age-appropriate.
This club will explore astrology through various means using the MacBook to determine the distance of celestial bodies. Computer programs can support the manner in which the visuals of planets and stars can be captured.
The music club is an eclectic mix of different music instruments and tools; it is intended to allow students' music experience as an extension of audiovisual principles. This class will have co-leaders to teach and monitor the equipment used.
Students have reached out to have book clubs. These book clubs will require that students work on a specific book as a cohort/ Facilitators will lead discussions on the book as a weekly item.
Graphic design allows students with an extracurricular interest in graphic design to delve deeper into techniques and creativity. This extension of the course is designed for students to explore in a lower-stakes environment, as it is not time-bound.
AECP is known to be a champion team in Mercer County for soccer. This year will be no different! Panthers come to dominate!
The Student Government Association (SGA) is a leadership club that represents the student body and gives students a voice in school decisions. Members plan events, promote school spirit, and advocate for student needs. Joining SGA builds leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while making a positive impact on the school community.
The Cheerleading Club promotes school spirit by leading cheers, chants, and performances at games and events. Members work as a team to build skills in dance, stunts, and leadership while encouraging positivity and pride. The club fosters confidence, discipline, and unity both on and off the sidelines.
The Find Your Passion Club helps students explore their interests and discover new hobbies, careers, and talents. Through activities, discussions, and guest speakers, members gain exposure to different opportunities and pathways. The club encourages self-discovery, goal setting, and confidence in pursuing personal passions.
The High School Basketball Team builds athletic skills, teamwork, and discipline through practice and competition. Players represent the school in games and tournaments while demonstrating sportsmanship and school pride. The program develops leadership on and off the court, preparing students for success in athletics and beyond.
We offer a robust curriculum that requires that we meet students where they are at academically. The end goal for all of our students is college and/or a clear career pathway. To ensure that our scholars receive a well-rounded liberal arts education, scholars receive English Language Arts grounded in novels. Novel study enables students to familiarize themselves with a culturally relevant literary canon. For mathematics, our goal is to ensure that students have access to precalculus or Calculus by senior year. For this reason we currently offer Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II. Scholars are engaged in a constructivist approach with prerequisite reinforcement in Intervention Blocks. Our history courses enable advanced writing based on historical trends and document analysis. These allow scholars to become citizen-scholars ready to compete in the real world. We participate in all New Jersey state testing required (NJSLA, NJGPA). Students also have opportunities to complete SATs. Dual credit offerings are being developed as well to enable students to gain college credit before high school graduation. We look forward to this journey together!
