As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of 25 schools, had an enrollment of 15,459 students and 976.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 15.8:1.[1] The district was the sixth-largest in the state in 2025.[7]
History
In the 1944 case Hedgepeth and Williams v. Board of Education, where two Black students were not permitted to attend their nearest junior high school that was only open to white students, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation was outlawed by the New Jersey State Constitution and that it was unlawful for schools to segregate or refuse admission to students on the basis of race.[8]
The district had been classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "A", the lowest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.[9]
Awards and recognition
Washington Elementary School was recognized by Governor Jim McGreevey in 2003 as one of 25 schools selected statewide for the First Annual Governor's School of Excellence award.[10]
Jayne S. Howard, business administrator and board secretary[44]
Board of education
The district's board of education is comprised of nine members who set policy and oversee the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year held (since 2023) as part of the April school election. The board appoints a superintendent to oversee the district's day-to-day operations and a business administrator to supervise the business functions of the district.[45][46][47]
The Trenton Public Schools had been a Type I school district, a system under which the board's seven trustees were appointed by the mayor to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three members up for reappointment each year. Of the more than 600 school districts statewide, Trenton was one of about a dozen districts with appointed school boards.[48] This was the case until the passage of a November 2022 referendum, which changed the district to a Type II district with nine elected members.[49]
↑Trenton Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Trenton Public Schools, adopted October 16, 2023. Accessed December 11, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Trenton School District. Composition: The Trenton School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the City of Trenton."
↑What We Do: History, New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022. "In 1998, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in the Abbott v. Burke case that the State must provide 100 percent funding for all school renovation and construction projects in special-needs school districts. According to the Court, aging, unsafe and overcrowded buildings prevented children from receiving the "thorough and efficient" education required under the New Jersey Constitution.... Full funding for approved projects was authorized for the 31 special-needs districts, known as 'Abbott Districts'."
12Rodas, Steven. "N.J. district renames Woodrow Wilson, Christopher Columbus schools", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 1, 2022. Accessed December 11, 2025. "Two schools in Trenton named after Christopher Columbus and Woodrow Wilson will soon be known by new names. Starting July 1, Columbus Elementary School will become Dr. Crosby Copeland Jr. Elementary School and Wilson Elementary School will be known as Darlene C. McKnight Elementary School."
↑Roll, Erin. "Montclair Parents Debate Appointed Vs. Elected School Board", Montclair Local, April 4, 2019. Accessed May 9, 2020. "Montclair is one of 11 school districts in New Jersey in which the board of education is appointed by the mayor, rather than elected.... As of 2018, Montclair was one of only 11 Type I school districts in New Jersey. The other 10 are Ventnor, Port Republic, Rockleigh, Pine Valley, East Orange, East Newark, Union City, Harrison, Trenton and Summit.... In 2009, Montclair had a debate over whether to continue with an appointed board or switch to an elected board. The question was put to a vote in October of that year. Voters opted to continue with an appointed board."
↑"Unofficial Results Show Voters in Trenton Approve Changing to a Type II District", New Jersey School Boards Association, November 14, 2022. Accessed December 11, 2025. "While election results are not yet certified, unofficial results on the county clerk’s website show that in Trenton, voters approved changing from a Type I district appointed by the mayor to a Type II district with its members elected by the voters. If those results hold and a change is made, the Board of School Estimate would be eliminated, future bonding for capital projects would have to be approved by public referendum, future bonding for capital projects would be based on the credit of the district as opposed to the city, the size of the board of education would increase from seven members to nine, and the first election of members of the board of education would take place in April 2023."
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