
History of PCSST
PCSST is a public charter school under the New Jersey Public School System and is fully accredited by the State of New Jersey Department of Education. PCSST educates 1618 students on four campuses; K-1 Campus, 2-3 Campus, 4-7 Campus and 8-12 Campus.
2000
Founding Board
Concerned parents and individuals established a founding board for a proposed charter school with a science and technology focus to serve students in the City of Paterson.
2001
Birth of a New Chapter School
Commissioner Davis C. Hespe approved Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology (PCSST) to be the first charter school in Paterson.
2002
Planning Year
The 2001-2002 academic year was designated as the planning year for PCSST.
2003
Opening
Due to facility issues, the school's opening was delayed for one year. In September 2003 PCSST opened its door to its students at the Mill Street building with 178 students in grades 6, 7, and 9.
2005
New Location
In September, PCSST moved to its newly designed Wabash Building serving grades 6, 7, 8, and 9.
2007-8
First Renewal & Amendment to Expand
The first renewal was granted in February 2007. PCSST Board of Trustees applied for expansion for grades K-5 and an additional capacity for 480 students. The expansion was granted in October 2008.
2010
Elementery School
In September, grades 2-5 opened in the St. Teresa school building with 180 students.
2011
K-12 School
With the addition of kindergarten and 1st grade, a full K-12 school was established. In September, grades K-6 relocated to the Wabash Avenue building. Grades 7-12 moved into the 11th Avenue building.
2012-13
Second Renewal & MSA Visit
PSCCT went into 2nd renewal process in January 2012. PCSST High School went through an accreditation process with Middle States Association during the 2013-2014 Academic year.
2014
New Building & Accreditation
In September, grades 7-12 moved to PCSST’s new, state-of-the-art facility on West Railway Avenue. PCSST was granted MSA Accreditation for 7 years.
(Dec 2014-Dec 2021)
2015
First Ivy League Enrollment
First acceptance and enrollment to Princeton University with a full scholarship.
2016-17
Third Renewal
PCSST went through its third renewal and applied for expansion in October 2016.
In February 2017, the expansion was granted for an additional 516 students over the next 5 years.
2017
First Athletic Title
PCSST Boys Varsity Basketball Team earned their first title as Meadowlands Champion.
2017
New Building
In September 2017, grades K & 1 relocated to our 3rd building on the Main Street (former Barney's building) with 280 students.
2021-22
Fourth Renewal
In November 2021, grades 2 & 3 relocated to our 4th building on East 34th Street (former United Yarn building) with 280 students.