Welcoming Back Paterson’s Scholars and Leaders

At NJCDC, we believe education should ignite a lifelong love of learning and help every child reach their full potential. As we start a new school year, let’s explore some of the high-quality, no-cost education programs we offer for Paterson students — all designed to open young minds and prepare them for a bright future!

Paterson Family Center

Recognizing the importance of building a strong foundation for learning, we opened the Paterson Family Center (PFC) preschool in 2003. Funded by Paterson Public Schools and state wrap-around vouchers administered by the 4Cs of Passaic County, PFC offers a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where children develop physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Our preschool also supports working families through after-school programming and family workers who connect families to vital resources.

This year, our dedicated staff welcomed three- and four-year-old students, along with their families, back to school on Thursday, September 5. For the second year in a row, each child received fully stocked backpacks and tote bags filled with books, thanks to Nick and Brian Princiotta’s back-to-school supply drive. Seeing the kids’ smiles as they eagerly chose their favorite colors was priceless!

PFC’s Director Maria Camacho is excited to usher in another year of enrichment and growth. “Although this may be an emotional experience for our students and families,” Maria shared, “our teachers and staff are very excited for all the learning and fun that will take place this school year. Preschool is such an important milestone for young children as it begins to foster a love for learning and discovery — and here at the Paterson Family Center we feel very fortunate to share this experience with the students and their families! We are looking forward to a safe, healthy and fun-filled school year!”

Parents are just as excited! Proud mom Mary Hossain shared, “My daughter had an amazing first day of school. The staff were very friendly and helpful towards parents. There’s always a staff member available to answer questions or offer assistance if needed. I’m happy to have found this school and look forward to my daughter completing this school year and coming back next year!”

Limited spots are still available for pre-K 3 and pre-K 4! For more information or to enroll your child, call PFC at 973-413-1570 or stop by 32 Spruce Street for a registration packet.

Community Charter School of Paterson

More than 15 years ago, NJCDC had a bold vision: a school that not only provides high-quality education but also has deep connections to families and the community. In 2008, that vision became a reality with the opening of the Community Charter School of Paterson (CCSP). Originally serving 400 K-3 students, CCSP has since expanded to educate more than 900 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade across two campuses.

Students returned on Monday, August 19 for another exciting year of learning and growth! “The first day of school is a time of excitement, new beginnings, and endless possibilities,” said CCSP’s CEO Ira Griffith. “We’re committed to creating an environment where every child feels supported, inspired, and ready to learn. Together, we’ll make this year a time of growth, success, and achievement.”

Ahead of the new school year, on Thursday, August 15, CCSP hosted a Welcome Back to School Celebration that attracted nearly 400 attendees. Families enjoyed fun activities, food, and the opportunity to connect with staff and other families! Then, on Tuesday, September 10, parents were invited to Back to School Night to learn about the academic excellence in store for their children — including our full-service program that opens early, stays open late, and offers weekend and summer programming.

Great Falls Youth Center

In response to the overwhelming need for a youth center in Paterson that would stay open late on weeknights and provide a variety of programs and services for older teens, the Great Falls Youth Center opened in March 2018 as a safe space for Paterson high school students to do homework, spend time with friends, and participate in engaging programming. Since its opening, the center has quickly grown from serving about 20 students a day to over 100 each day, with an expansion opened in 2023 to allow us to better serve the increasing flow of students. 

Kicking off its seventh year of back-to-school festivities, the Youth Center held a Welcome Week full of tours, activities, giveaways, and fun starting on Monday, September 9. Paterson high school students and their families were invited to check out the spaces, meet the staff, and get to know the many programs and activities offered throughout the school year — from clubs, boxing, music production, drumming, and culinary arts to community service and skill-building opportunities.

All those wonderful showcases were sandwiched between two blockbuster barbecue events to welcome back our youth and their families! Ahead of Welcome Week, the Youth Center held an epic Barbecue Back to School Party where families enjoyed free food, music, and exciting giveaways while learning more about our programs. Then, to bring home the week’s display of offerings, the Youth Center brought together students to celebrate with a Fun Friday BBQ on September 13, complete with a DJ, giveaways, games, and inflatables. We loved seeing some new faces in attendance!

Paterson high school students looking for a safe, welcoming, and fun space to come to during out-of-school hours, including half-days and school closures, can enroll online today.

Another Year of Academic Excellence Awaits

As we welcome back Paterson’s next generation of scholars, we’re excited for what’s shaping up to be our best school year yet. Whether it’s the preschoolers at our Paterson Family Center, K-8 students at the Community Charter School of Paterson, or high schoolers at the Great Falls Youth Center, NJCDC is committed to providing a pipeline of programs and support to transform our city into a thriving, diverse, and sustainable community for generations to come. As NJCDC Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci said, “Here’s to a year filled with learning, growth, and success for all our students!”