Paterson parents speak out as district announces four school closures
The district sent an email on Friday announcing that Alexander Hamilton Academy, Renaissance School 1, Norman S. Weir and Young Men’s Leadership Academy will no longer operate after this school year.
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Parents in Paterson are expressing frustration after the school district announced it will close four schools by the end of the 2025–2026 school year.
The district sent an email on Friday announcing that Alexander Hamilton Academy, Renaissance School 1, Norman S. Weir and Young Men’s Leadership Academy will no longer operate after this school year.
Students currently enrolled at the schools will return to their assigned neighborhood schools for the 2026–2027 school year. The district said the changes are part of a long-term plan to reorganize middle schools and phase out choice programs and that the closures are not a reflection of school performance. It said it will provide guidance to families to ensure a smooth transition.
“I feel heartbroken for our kids and upset,” said Shalena Rivera, a parent.
Meghan Binns said she felt blindsided by the announcement.
“How am I supposed to tell my son that he’s going to go to a different school. I will homeschool my son,” she said.
Students also expressed sadness over the closures.
“I feel very sad that the school is closing because I’ve been here since kindergarten, and I grew up in this school," said Naveah, who has attended Alexander Hamilton Academy since kindergarten.
Parents said they are concerned about overcrowding neighborhood schools and the registration process for new schools.
Some parents have started an online petition hoping to keep the schools open.
In a statement to News 12, the district said, “This change is not a reflection of school performance or quality, but a structural shift intended to better align grade-level programming and expand access to high-quality instructional programs across neighborhood schools.”
