Achievers Early College Prep - Middle School
Vision & Mission
Vision
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.
Mission
AECP wants to make it possible for students in Trenton to earn, at no or low cost:
- A High school diploma
- Up to 60 transferable college credits
- An associate’s degree
- Workplace learning, credentials and internships
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.
Meet Our Team
Educators
ELA/Humanities Team
Math Team
Science/STEAM
Special Education
PE/Health
Leadership Team
Support Roles
Operations
Nurse
School Director
STEAM
Pathways
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.
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.
Cisco and CTE Academy
Coming soon!
Students
Clubs, Sports and Passion Projects
6th Grade Clubs
Boys to Men – Mr. Cox 205This club is designed exclusively for boys and focuses on building friendships, confidence, and healthy habits. Members engage in open conversations where they can share their thoughts, challenges, and ideas in a supportive environment. Alongside this, the club includes structured physical activities—such as sports, fitness challenges, or team-building games—that promote strength, teamwork, and discipline. The goal is to create a balanced space where boys can grow socially, emotionally, and physically while having fun.
Board Game Club - Ms. Oo 206 Girls Who Code – Ms. Bellamy 208“In Girls Who Code, we will learn how to code from fun online tutorials and activities that will help you build animations, games, apps, and many other things. We will be learning how to use Scratch, Python, HTML/CSS, Javascript, and Thunkable. By the end of the club, you will have created your own adventure/quiz game and contribute to the Girls Who Code Website.”
Soccer – Mr. Lima MPRSoccer Club reimagines the power of building community, connecting people from diverse backgrounds, and will promote equity in play while building soccer skills.
Keen Crafting Club – Ms. Brandimarte 204 Computer Gaming Club – Mr. Barone 206 Anime & Manga Club – Ms. Blair 203The Anime & Manga Club is a fun space where 6th graders can watch anime, read manga, and share their favorite characters and stories while making friends with other fans. Members can also try drawing manga, discussing shows, and exploring Japanese pop culture together.
Chess Club – Ms. Tkatch 3067th Grade Clubs
Board game Clubs – Mr. Carragher 302 Crafting and Coding – Ms. Nini & Ms. Bellamy 310 Video Game Club - Mr. Barone 208 Girls Club - Williams (Teacher’s Lounge first floor)The Girls Club is a space for students to build confidence, leadership, and friendships in a supportive environment. As the facilitator, I’ll guide discussions and activities that focus on self-esteem, teamwork, healthy choices, and positive relationships. I’ll help create a safe, welcoming space where girls can talk openly, learn new skills, and encourage one another. Activities will include team-building games, journaling, role-playing real-life scenarios, and goal setting.
Zen Club - Ms. Amen (MPR Stage)In the Zen club, we will be focusing on breath and moving through the vinyasas. Students will learn how to allow their breathing to clear their mind and set the intention for the day. We will study the vinyasa flow that helps warm the body and clear the mind, and builds intentional focus. We will close each session with a short mindfulness exercise, giving students the tools to carry calmness, clarity, and focus into the rest of their day.
Artist Club - Ms. Lange 202Join us for a creative 30-minute art club where we’ll dive deeper into drawing skills and work together on large-scale group projects to decorate our school with beautiful displays and installations. While the weather is nice, we’ll also take our sketchbooks outdoors to practice perspective by drawing the surrounding buildings. Each session blends a touch of local art history with plenty of hands-on creativity—making this a space to grow as artists while helping transform our school into an inspiring place!
Bible Adventures Club - Ms. Liriano 303(Parent Permission Required)
8th Grade Clubs
Board Game Club – Aulisio 305 Call of Duty Club – Mr. Fenimore 306 Astrology Club – Ms. Ortiz 306 Boy to Men – Mr. Tucker MPRThis club is designed exclusively for boys and focuses on building friendships, confidence, and healthy habits. Members engage in open conversations where they can share their thoughts, challenges, and ideas in a supportive environment. Alongside this, the club includes structured physical activities—such as sports, fitness challenges, or team-building games—that promote strength, teamwork, and discipline. The goal is to create a balanced space where boys can grow socially, emotionally, and physically while having fun.
Budding Artist Club – Ms. Atta 305Students will use basic skills to create art projects that build their basic skills in art. They will practice drawing and painting. Using acrylic paint, drawing pencils and sketch books, students will broaden their fine art skills.
Soccer Club – Mr. Ramos MPRSoccer Club reimagines the power of building community, connecting people from diverse backgrounds, and will promote equity in play while building soccer skills.
LEGO Steam Club – Ms. B. 304Students will use engineering skills to construct lego sets. Students will be given structured set and also will be given assigned tasks to build from an engineering problem. Students will learn to work in groups to reinforce team building and cooperative skills.
Skin Care Squad - Ms. Hunt 308In the Skin Care Squad you will learn how to wear your crown proudly as you transition into your teenage years. Using hands-on activities where students explore skincare, self-care, and wellness routines, we will promote confidence, creativity, and beauty knowledge through simple DIY projects and positive conversations.
Sample Schedule
Coming soon!
Project-based Learning: Winter Fair and Performance Tasks
Coming soon!
