2. When there are such strong public schools in East Brunswick, why do we need a charter school that offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and a partial-immersion foreign language program? One of the tenets of charter schools is to provide choice. What distinguishes Hatikvah from the local public schools is its unique curriculum. Above and beyond teaching our students the required New Jersey Core Curriculum, we will also incorporate the framework of the internationally renowned Primary Years Programme developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (www.IBO.org). Through this unique curricular framework, utilizing inquiry-based lessons and holistic learning, where concepts are examined across the range of traditional subjects, your children will be challenged to cultivate their creativity and develop into innovators and risk takers.

In addition, as the students grow within the school, programs will begin to be delivered in a partial-immersive foreign language environment to ensure fluency of the second language, Hebrew. Research shows study of a foreign language at an early age correlates with higher academic achievement and SAT test scores as well as increased cognitive development and problem-solving abilities.

The culmination of this unique curriculum is an education that is sought-after by the world’s leading universities.

3. What grades will Hatikvah serve? We will open in September 2010 with space for 108 students in grades K-2. The Kindergarten program will be a tuition-free full day program. There will be 2 kindergarten classes serving a total of 44 students, 2 first grade classes serving a total of 44 students and 1 second grade class serving 20 students. Each year we will add another grade with 44 students until we are a K-8 school with spots for 372 students.

4. Is there a cost to attend Hatikvah? As required by the State of New Jersey, Hatikvah will be tuition free. Charter Schools receive ninety percent of the funding that a public school receives from the state. The remaining funding is provided by grants.

5. What does the study of Hebrew culture include? Hebrew culture includes Jewish culture, history, art, music, Israeli culture as well as the impact that other cultures and languages had on the Hebrew language.

6. How do I register my child? As a partial immersion foreign language school incorporating the international baccalaureate teaching method, we hope to enroll students from a wide range of backgrounds in Hatikvah and have already received inquiries from families of diverse backgrounds. If you would like to register your child, you can go to Hatikvah’s website, www.hatikvahcharterschool.com,  and click on  the "Register Your Child" link.  Then complete the online lottery application form and fax a signed copy of the form to 732-698-0675, or scan a signed copy and e-mail it to registration@hatikvahcharterschool.com. You will receive a confirmation email to let you know when we have received your signed lottery registration form.

7. Do I have to live in East Brunswick to attend Hatikvah? Students are selected for enrollment using a random lottery. Two separate lotteries will be held – one for children who live in East Brunswick and one for students who live outside of East Brunswick. First preference will be given to students who live in East Brunswick or have siblings who already attend the school.    If Hatikvah receives fewer applications from East Brunswick residents than available seats, it may accept student applicants from outside East Brunswick.

8. Can you really teach Hebrew without teaching religion? Public schools in the United States have been doing this for many years. Hebrew is a distinct language, and, like any other foreign language, can be acquired outside of the realm of religion. Public high schools around the country, and public universities, such as Rutgers, teach Hebrew language and Hebraic studies separate and apart from the study of religion.

9.  Will the school observe Jewish holidays? Hatikvah will follow the East Brunswick public school calendar. Therefore, the school will be closed during the Jewish high holidays and also non-Jewish holidays which are observed by East Brunswick public schools. If parents ask to keep their children home in observance of other holidays, we will accommodate their requests just as other East Brunswick schools would do.  

10. Will you offer a before/after school program? Based on parental need, there will be a before/after school program available, run by a separate entity.