(JTA) — The state of New Jersey approved a second Hebrew immersion charter school.
Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday approved 23 new charter schools for the state, including the Shalom Academy for students in Englewood and Teaneck, The Record of Hackensack reported.
The new Hebrew-language charter school is set to provide a Hebrew immersion program for up to 240 students in grades kindergarten to eight.
Local school leaders reportedly opposed the academy, which had been rejected three times by previous administrations, because they say it will drain resources from the public schools.
The Shalom Academy will be the second Hebrew-immersion charter school in the state, joining the Hatikvah International Academy that last year in East Brunswick with 108 students in kindergarten through second grade. Ninety percent of its students come from East Brunswick.
Hebrew charter schools, which offer nonreligious but Hebrew-focused curricula, are being looked at across the country as less expensive alternatives to Jewish day schools. Several of the schools are operating in New York and Florida.
