College Achieve Public Schools Recognized Among Top Schools in New Jersey for National Education

Commitment to College Readiness Pays Off as Students Excel in Prestigious Dual‑Credit College Courses

March 31, 2025 — College Achieve Public Schools (CAPS) is proud to announce that two of its high schools have been recognized among 12 schools in New Jersey whose students were inducted into the National Education Equity Lab’s (EdEquity Lab) National Honor Society. This prestigious distinction honors high‑achieving students from Title I and Title I‑eligible high schools across the country who have excelled in rigorous, credit‑bearing college courses from universities, including Stanford, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania.

As a network committed to expanding college access for low‑income and first‑generation students, CAPS views this recognition as a testament to its college‑going culture and academic excellence. CAPS has a proven track record of preparing students for success in higher education, with a charter that provides all high school students at least three Advanced Placement (AP) courses before graduation and embedded college readiness initiatives as early as elementary school.

“Our students are proving every day that when given the right opportunities and high expectations, they can thrive in rigorous academic environments,” said Dr. Gemar Mills, Chief Academic Officer, CAPS. “Being recognized among the top‑performing schools in the state for EdEquity Lab’s National Honor Society is a direct reflection of our students’ hard work, our educators’ dedication, and our commitment to uplifting both our students and the communities they come from.”

CAPS continues to outperform neighboring public schools based on the most recent New Jersey State Learning Assessment (NJSLA) across all three regions, demonstrating exceptional results in both English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Each CAPS campus surpasses in ELA, and consistently outperforms state averages among key subgroups underscoring its success in closing achievement gaps. These outstanding gains reflect CAPS’ ongoing commitment to rigorous academics, targeted support, and fostering a nurturing environment allowing educators to leverage evidence‑based strategies such as the Toulmin writing model and placing a strong emphasis on early literacy programs to drive student success.

CAPS has consistently sent 100% of its graduates to post‑secondary institutions, with the majority enrolling in four‑year universities, including Ivy League and top‑ranked schools such as Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Smith College. In addition to these prestigious acceptances, CAPS students have also earned places at highly regarded state universities and community colleges, many with scholarships, ensuring that every student finds a pathway to success that fits their goals.

About College Achieve Public Schools

College Achieve Public Schools (CAPS) is a network of K‑12 schools in Paterson, Plainfield, North Plainfield, Asbury Park and Neptune Township that was created to serve youth who have enormous potential but limited resources. Its mission is to prepare all students to excel in and graduate from the top colleges and universities in the nation. The CAPS promise is to help students through and through — through high school and through college.