Empowering Young Learners: Our Vision for Four Rivers STEAM Charter School with Kids Spark STEM Program

As the founder of Four Rivers STEAM Charter School, I'm passionate about creating innovative educational opportunities that prepare students for a future dominated by technology, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. In Freehold, New Jersey, we're working diligently to bring our vision to life—a K-8 STEAM charter school that will transform how students learn and grow.

A Research-Based Approach to STEM Education

I'm excited to share that we've announced the Kids Spark STEM and Literacy Program as the cornerstone of our planned K-8 educational framework. Originally conceived as a summer initiative, we quickly recognized that this program's exceptional quality and comprehensive approach made it the perfect foundation for year-round instruction at Four Rivers.

This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to providing students with hands-on, project-based learning experiences that build genuine competency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Kids Spark Education offers a carefully designed curriculum that develops STEM fluencies from Pre-K through Grade 8. What drew me to this program is its emphasis on practical application rather than passive learning. It supports students through in-school instruction, after-school enrichment, and expanded learning opportunities—exactly the kind of comprehensive approach we envision for Four Rivers.

Building Essential 21st Century Skills

What makes the Kids Spark curriculum particularly compelling to me is its focus on developing skills that extend far beyond memorizing facts or formulas. We want our students to cultivate critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and confidence—attributes that are essential for success in our rapidly changing world.

The instructional design features a progressive, multi-year STEM learning pathway that will grow with our students as they advance through grade levels. Through hands-on projects, they'll engage with engineering principles, problem-solving challenges, and design thinking exercises that mirror real-world applications.

Most importantly to me, the program takes an equity-focused approach, ensuring that diverse learners will have access to quality STEM education regardless of their background or learning style. This inclusive philosophy is at the heart of our mission at Four Rivers—to serve every student in the community.

Aligned with National Standards

As an educator, I know that quality requires more than innovative ideas—it demands alignment with established benchmarks and standards. Kids Spark meets this requirement comprehensively, aligning with major national frameworks including the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) standards, and International Society standards.

This alignment ensures that our students won't just be engaged in interesting activities; they'll be meeting rigorous academic expectations that will prepare them for future educational and career opportunities.

Addressing Community Needs

Our adoption of the Kids Spark program comes at a crucial time for the Freehold community. As we work toward getting Four Rivers STEAM Charter School approved, I've been increasingly vocal about the need for educational options that better serve students in our region, particularly in light of recent academic performance data.

I recently wrote to Senator Gopal outlining our plans and requesting support for community meetings where parents and community leaders can learn about the Spark STEM Literacy program and explore how it will benefit local students. In my letter, I emphasized that the 2024 test scores clearly demonstrate that current educational frameworks in Freehold Borough are not meeting students' needs, and Freehold Township has shown minimal progress compared to other districts that have made significant gains in STEM and ELA.

Statewide ELA proficiency around 53%, Math at 41%, and Science at 27% for the 2024-2025 year, while SAT scores average 1050 (519 Math, 531 R&W)

Test scores for New Jersey's latest standardized exams show students are improving slightly but more of the overall performance numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels and continue to show gaping achievement gaps.

Just over half, 53%, showed proficiency in ELA, 41% in Math and 27% in Science. Only the Science score was higher than those in 2019 before the COVID pandemic shutdown, and by one percentage point.

In Math, 41.7% of all students tested at or above expectations in English Language Arts, known as ELA. More than 26% of science test takers were at or above expectations.

For ELA and Math, students need to score above 750 to meet the expectations for their grade level, and above 790 to have exceeded them, according to an interpretive guide published by Pearson, the test administrator.

This is personal for me—I believe all students matter, regardless of race or socioeconomic background. Parents are vital partners in education, and I'm certain that when the Freehold community sees what we're proposing, they'll be excited to be part of this framework for educational development and student growth.

Supporting District-Wide Impact

Beyond individual student achievement, I envision the Kids Spark program creating broader district impact by building early and sustained STEM literacy across our community. The program will support increased student engagement, promote equity and access in STEM learning, and prepare students for future academic and career pathways.

For a region seeking educational innovation and improved outcomes, Four Rivers STEAM Charter School's embrace of the Kids Spark program represents a meaningful step forward. By combining research-based curriculum design with hands-on learning and an equity-focused approach, we're positioning ourselves to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century learners.

Looking Ahead

As we continue working toward getting Four Rivers approved to open, the integration of the Kids Spark STEM and Literacy Program signals our unwavering commitment to educational excellence and innovation. I'm encouraging parents and community members who are interested in learning more about the program to engage with us and participate in upcoming community meetings.

I want to invite you to reach out to Senator Gopal to help us set up these community meetings. Your voice matters in this process, and together we can advocate for the educational opportunities our children deserve.

The future of education lies in preparing students not just with knowledge, but with the ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and collaborate effectively. Through programs like Kids Spark, Four Rivers STEAM Charter School will help shape that future—one curious, capable student at a time.

This is a fight worth having, and with the support of the Monmouth and Ocean communities, I'm confident we will be successful. Every child deserves access to an excellent, well-rounded education, and I won't stop until we make that a reality.

For more information about Four Rivers STEAM Charter School and our educational programs, please visit our website at fourriversschool.com or call (718) 608-5232. Sign our petition to show your support for our school's application and help ensure all students receive the education they need and deserve.