Black and Hispanic Students at College Achieve Asbury Outperform State and District Peers in English Language Arts on NJSLA

Results place CAPS among the top Charter Management Organizations statewide in English Language Arts

January 23, 2026 at 4:07 PM

Asbury Park, NJ ― College Achieve Greater Asbury Park Charter School (CAPS Asbury), which serves a predominantly low-income, Black and Hispanic student population, continues to set itself apart as a regional academic powerhouse, posting significant gains in English Language Arts (ELA) and far outpacing the performance of surrounding districts on the recently released 2025 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) results. The school serves a 90% free or reduced lunch population, a growing multilingual learner population and 8% of students experiencing housing instability.

CAPS Asbury leaders say these outcomes are the results of a focus on reading and writing, rigorous instruction and a proven, data‑informed model that is tailored to each student.

“We study the data closely, plan with intention, and teach with precision, focusing on what matters most: early literacy, great teaching, and targeted support for every scholar,” said Jasonn Denard, Head of School at College Achieve Greater Asbury Park. “Our emphasis on evidence‑based writing and meaningful small‑group instruction equips scholars with the tools they need to grow. When you create a culture where educators continually refine their craft and scholars feel fully supported, achievement follows. I’m grateful for our teachers’ dedication and proud of how our scholars continue to rise and excel.”

CAPS Asbury 2025 NJSLA Highlights

In ELA, 52.2% of CAPS Asbury students met or exceeded state standards, performing on par with the statewide average and far surpassing neighboring districts. CAPS Asbury students scored more than three and a half times higher than Asbury Park Public Schools and more than sixteen points above Neptune Township Schools, reinforcing the school’s position as a regional leader in literacy.

Results for specific student groups underscore even stronger outcomes. Hispanic students achieved 55.1% proficiency in ELA, far exceeding the statewide Hispanic average of 38.7%. Black students reached 47.5% proficiency, outperforming Black students statewide by more than 10 points and more than quadrupling results in Asbury Park. Economically disadvantaged students achieved 52.0% proficiency, exceeding the state average by more than 15 points. Students with disabilities also outperformed both local districts and the state.

CAPS continues to rank among the highest‑performing charter management organizations (CMOs) in New Jersey in ELA, outperforming several well‑established CMOs.

In math, 22.6% of CAPS Asbury students met or exceeded state standards, outperforming Asbury Park Public Schools (10.3%) and edging out Neptune Township Schools (22.2%). Across student groups, CAPS Asbury consistently exceeded district performance, including among multilingual learners, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and both Black and Hispanic students.

CAPS Asbury’s gains demonstrate how its instructional approach delivers for students, pairing evidence‑based argumentative writing, data‑informed instruction, and targeted interventions with consistent practice and responsive teaching.

College Achieve Public Schools has built a model rooted in academic excellence and rigor, embedding college readiness as early as elementary school through strong early literacy, evidence‑based writing and data‑informed classroom practices. All students are required to take a minimum of three AP courses to graduate, reinforcing the school’s commitment to preparing scholars for the demands of higher education. One hundred percent of CAPS scholars are accepted to college, with most attending four‑year universities, including Ivy League institutions and top‑ranking public universities.