Urban Hope Act
What Is the Urban Hope Act?
Passed in 2012, the Urban Hope Act (UHA) is a New Jersey state law that allows private nonprofit organizations, in partnership with local school districts and/or colleges, to build and operate new public schools in certain low-performing urban districts — including Camden, Newark, and Trenton.
Key Features of the Urban Hope Act:
Target Cities
Only Camden, Newark, and Trenton
Partnership
Must have formal agreements with the local district (e.g. Camden City School District)
Renaissance Schools
Privately managed, publicly funded schools — not charter schools, but similar
Funding
Funded by taxpayer dollars just like public schools, but often receive more per student in facility and startup funds
Facilities
Required to build brand-new or renovated schools
Oversight
Less public oversight than traditional schools; no elected board governs them
Management
Run by nonprofit organizations (e.g. KIPP, Mastery, Uncommon Schools) instead of school boards
Enrollment
Camden families can be automatically enrolled or funneled into Renaissance schools if their neighborhood public school was closed
IMPACT ON CAMDEN
Why It Mattered for Camden
When the Urban Hope Act passed:
When the Urban Hope Act passed, Camden was labeled a “failing district.”
After the state took control in 2013, Camden’s Board of Education lost power.
The mayor and superintendent partnered with private nonprofits to quickly expand Renaissance Schools under UHA.
As a result, many neighborhood public schools were closed, and Renaissance operators became the default option for thousands of students.
2012
UHA passed
2013
State takeover of Camden schools
2014–2016
Renaissance expansion
2019–2022
Majority of Camden students in Renaissance schools
KEY DIFFERENCES
Renaissance Schools vs. Traditional Public Schools
Category | Renaissance (Urban Hope) | Traditional Public |
|---|---|---|
Accountability | Performance contract with district | Report directly to community via board |
Facilities | New buildings often owned by the operator | City/district owned |
Hiring | Private hiring (non-union often) | District and union governed |
Transparency | Not subject to full public meetings, budget hearings | Fully public oversight |
Governance | Private nonprofit partne | Elected school board (when not under state control) |
OUTCOMES IN CAMDEN
What Did It Lead to in Camden
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Over a dozen public schools were closed or converted.
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Major operators (KIPP, Mastery, Uncommon) now serve most Camden students.
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Families often lost true choice — their neighborhood schools were gone.
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The district now manages only a few schools directly.
Make It Plain: For Camden Parents & Students