By Tonya Smith
When you pull up to the Principle Academy Charter (PAC) School in Egg Harbor Township, you are greeted by a mural boasting a diverse group of cheerful cartoon faces along the outside wall of the school. That joy follows you through the front door, down the art filled hallways and throughout each classroom of this refreshing learning institution. The students, teachers and administration have come together to create a very special educational oasis.
PAC is headed by a collective of some of the area’s brightest out of the box thinkers. Dr. Peter Caporilli, PAC Founder and also Founder and CEO of Polymath Achievement Charters, the management company hired to run Principle Academy Charter, is looking to provide a well rounded education to children in Atlantic County. “We are the standard. We want to be better than the local schools.” he said in a recent interview. “Local school is the alternative to our school.” Recently, the school procured a grant that allowed them to purchase laptops for every single student to use during school. Laptops, coupled with smart boards will give the children a tech advantage in the future. “What differentiates our school is that our school focuses on the individual student/learner. We take it very seriously, that we are educating the next generation of 50, 60 and 70 year olds.” Caporilli explained. “We feel a strong obligation to develop life long skills.”
Principle Academy is the only Tier 1 elementary school in Atlantic County. Presently, PAC houses 481 students from all over Atlantic County. The school is offering a private school education even though it is a free public school. PAC is striving to prepare students for future collegiate endeavors while it embraces technology, science and math as driving influencers. The school provides core class work like all schools in the area, but it also fully embraces the arts.
Where many schools in the area are losing elementary school funding for the arts and even some sports, PAC is finding ways to increase these programs for their students. Recently, students have been able to attend the AC Ballet, participate in swim club at Brigantine Aquatic Center, attend the AC Symphony and have even become flag football champions! Enrichment programs that are often found in high schools are found at Principle Academy Charter.
PAC is founded on core principles that seem to drive this gem of a school. Civility, Honesty, Academics, Respect, Togetherness, Empowerment and Responsibility are expected from each student, daily. It is the backbone that enriches the lives and careers of every student that attends PAC. The students do wear school uniforms. Every student receives school breakfast and lunch. Dr. Caporilli described the “Dining Hall Experience” as the beginning of a healthy relationship with food. Children are exposed to new foods and culturally rich options. The school partners with Revolution Foods in order to provide this healthy experience along with fresh fruits and vegetables. Healthy bodies foster healthy minds.
PAC parents are very involved with PAC activities and events. They are happy to roll up their sleeves and man a table or assist with a football game! This participation is welcomed with open arms.
Even though there is a waitlist to get in, the school is always looking to the future. The board keeps moving forward in order to better the school. Dr. Caporilli sees that “ the business challenges of a charter require business mind and acumen to over come.” Many new things are on the horizon for this growing school. It will be exciting to see what happens next for this up and coming Charter School.
