MARTIN L KING JR #11

The Martin Luther King, Jr. School is the most diverse community school in Jersey City. Students come from 20 identified languages spoken at home. We provide instruction in 14 of the identified languages. The faculty and staff mirror the students? diversity.
Martin Luther King, Jr. School has programs to ensure that all students learn to the best of their ability. The HOPE Program is available for students in grades 3-8. The Middle School design is implemented for grades 6-8. In order meet the needs of our Special Education population we have 12 inclusion teachers that provide tailored instruction for students who are learning-disabled and need small group instruction. World Language is offered to grades 1-8; we have two World Language teachers who teach the children Spanish. Title I services are available for students who need remediation in Language Arts and/or Mathematics.

We are looking to extend our magnet program in Arabic bilingual education to meet the needs of our community. We believe in tailoring instruction to fit the needs of our diverse population therefore, we provide supplemental and extension services for all E.L.L. and bilingual students at all grade levels. We have a pull-out bilingual program for students who speak other languages, including Korean, Arabic, Gujarati, and Urdu. We have 5 English as a Second Language Teachers that service our LEP and Bilingual population. Fostering our Literacy curriculum our students in grade 4-6 participate in the Fast Break Literacy Program sponsored by the N.J. Nets.

The School Leadership Council is comprised of administrators, parents, instructional and non-instructional staff. Collaboratively they develop the school level improvement plans and the budget to address the instructional priorities and school-wide necessities. School improvement plans are distributed and discussed with the entire school community in an effort to create consistency and efficient implementation of all state and district mandates. The distribution of the Core Curriculum Standards and district student performance standards are discussed with faculty and parents early in the school year. The district code of conduct and all district and state mandates are reinforced daily to provide a safe learning community for our staff and students.

The staff development program chaired by the Inclusion Specialist ensures that the curriculum is implemented and effective instruction is received by all students as mandated by all NCLB, state and district mandates. Various out source consultants provide professional development in all content areas. Presently, the district is working collaboratively with the following consultants: IDE Corp., AUSSIE, Pearson LL Teach, Inc., to ensure quality instruction and implementation of the core curriculum content standards. The administrators design innovative scheduling to maximize instructional time and facilitate collaborative professional learning opportunities for all teachers. District curriculum supervisors and content area coaches provide in-class modeling and additional support within the integrated curriculum. Standardized test data is analyzed to develop instructional priorities on a yearly basis.
The Intervention Referral Services Committee (IRS) regularly meets to provide students with early intervention programs and classroom management strategies for teachers. We presently have two guidance counselors and a clinical social worker to work with all students. Our site Child Study Team identifies students in need of individualized education plans and collaborates with our inclusion specialist and instructional staff to implement intervention strategies that allow our students to receive differentiated instruction.

Martin Luther King, Jr. School has a library/media center equipped with the audio-visual aids, numerous books and a multi-cultural center that reflects and illustrates diversity within our learning community. Our Computer Technology Center is equipped with the latest technology. All of our classrooms have computers and the School Leadership Council facilitates the integration of technology within our curriculum by providing additional support in the area of technology.

Our extended Day Program includes preparation for N.J. ASK for grades 3-8. In addition a Nutrition, Sports Program and various enrichment activities are scheduled for grades 3-8. Our Visual Arts Department has produced first place winners in the art contests sponsored by local agencies such as Path and Fire Prevention. In addition our students? work has been featured in several Art displays within the district. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the first schools in Jersey City to have a partnership with Lincoln Center in New York City. We presently have six teachers who participate in the program. In addition we were a pilot school for the Nutrition/Health program sponsored by the State Department of Education. Under the leadership of Ms. Pistilli, Asst. Principal the school has been awarded many grants to continue our nutrition program. We have a fulltime nutrition educator from Rutgers Cooperative Extension Program.

The Supplemental Education Services are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the students who apply and qualify in all grades. This program is designed to provide additional tutoring services, in an effort to improve standardized test scores and close the achievement gap in all content areas.

We have an active elected Parents? Council working with the school to ensure the students receive the best education to prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. The Parents? Council meets monthly and the Parent Council president works closely with the administrators and the SLC to ensure that we collaborate in the educational development of our students. We encourage our parents to participate in all school-wide activities that celebrate the diversity within our community.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community School offers programs for students of all ages. Our facilities are used for several community programs. We offer adult education classes in English as a Second Language as well as G.E.D. preparation. The school?s gym is used by community groups for sports and other social activities. Polish culture classes are held during the weekends which provide additional cultural awareness throughout our community. The Board of Education holds its monthly meetings at the school to keep the community informed on all educational issues and concerns.

Our school takes a holistic approach in educating our students. Martin Luther King Jr. School is a great place for all students to learn. We are committed to improving academic achievement and developing well-rounded, productive citizens in our community.


Contact Person: Diane Pistilli
E-Mail Address: dpistilli@jcboe.org


Chester Kaminski
201-915-6521