In the heart of Paterson, New Jersey’s third-largest city, a beacon of hope and opportunity shines brightly on Madison Avenue with the recent opening of Philip’s Academy Charter School’s (PACS) new “forever home”. Paterson is known for being a city with a rich tapestry of cultures and ethnicities, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to addressing the needs and aspirations of its residents.
One of those needs has been to improve educational opportunities. There are disparities in educational resources and outcomes, and schools in Paterson have struggled with funding, infrastructure, and academic performance, affecting student achievement and future potential. With the opening of PACS, Paterson has taken a transformative step to deliver a new public education option to address this need and create a renewed sense of community pride.
Key to achieving this milestone has been the two-year collaboration between PACS, Paterson leaders, Building Hope and the talent from design and construction partners Studio 27 Architecture, O.A. Peterson Construction Company, and local, Paterson contractors. This tight-knit public, private partnership has redefined public school education and demonstrated the profound impact such projects can have on both education and the broader community.
With the opening of its new 63,000-square-foot location on Madison Avenue, PACS has become a symbol of transformation happening within the Paterson community. Originally opening its doors in 2016 with just 60 kindergarteners, the school now unites 660 students from Kindergarten through Grade 8, replacing three separate locations. A stronger sense of community and belonging is palpable among students and staff as the school community comes together in a single, cohesive space and aligns around this shared goal: to foster academic excellence, student engagement, and social development.
PACS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dowayne Davis remarked upon the opening, “This facility ensures we no longer need to separate students and families across multiple buildings. Our young people have access to beautiful classrooms and dedicated staff working tirelessly to ensure their social, emotional, and academic growth.”
The new PACS home is more than just a school—it serves as a catalyst for broader community connection, revitalization and well-being. What began as an abandoned dye factory in the city is now a vibrant, modern and welcoming educational hub that has sparked positive change throughout the community.
At the recent ribbon cutting for the new facility, New Jersey General Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter, who was born and raised in Paterson and who represents the city as its state representative, reinforced the positive change PACS brings to the city: “It was important that I be here with you today because this moment is for our city of Paterson and for our students.” She continued by thanking PACs board members, the mayor, city council, and superintendent of schools as well as the larger Paterson community “for sticking to the fight” and for having the “grit and tenacity” to deliver on the promise of a brighter future for city residents.
PACS exemplifies Building Hope’s commitment to cities like Paterson – to create high-quality, innovative charter schools by transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant learning environments that foster connection and social impact throughout the community. The project holds special significance for Building Hope as the PACS relationship originated from a referral from John P. Holland Charter School in Woodland Park, NJ, and led initially to a comprehensive site search for the new school building that factored in the challenging real estate market in Paterson due to its proximity to New York City, the scarcity of land, and high real estate costs. Overcoming these obstacles made the successful completion of the school a particularly rewarding achievement.
“Building Hope is dedicated to more than just constructing facilities; we design and build advanced, sustainable campuses that enrich learning experiences, promote well-being, and foster meaningful connections within communities,” said Senior Vice President of Building Hope Real Estate Jerry Zayets.
As a dedicated partner, the nonprofit demonstrated flexibility and adaptability during the two-year project, tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of the school and adjusting throughout the process to achieve the desired outcomes and deliver the new building.
PACS’ mission is to provide a rigorous and moral education to a diverse student body, utilizing a hands-on, technology-infused learning environment that includes both indoor and outdoor spaces. The curriculum emphasizes global citizenship, environmental sustainability, and personal virtue, and combines project-based learning with real-world applications, allowing students to engage deeply with subjects like science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). This approach not only enhances academic achievement but also cultivates a culture of innovation and inclusivity, preparing students to be thoughtful, active citizens in an ever-evolving world.
With the opening of the Madison Avenue building, PACS brings its mission to life by offering an innovative learning environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, with state-of-the-art amenities like technology-integrated classrooms, a gym and basketball court, play areas, ensuring the social, emotional, and academic growth of its students.
To achieve the vision for the new PACS academic building, PACS leadership and Building Hope partnered with award-winning Studio 27 Architecture.
"Philip’s Academy believes the right environment unleashes potential,” Studio 27 Architecture Principal and Co-Founder John Burke.
"We set out to craft a design that honors not only the mission of the school to enrich the lives of students, but also a new standard for building and education in Paterson.”
Acknowledging the rich history of fabric manufacturing in Paterson, the building features a woven-like façade with color tones drawn from the residential homes of the neighborhood. The massing of the school respects the scale of its neighbors and is stacked around a landscaped courtyard. Occupiable roofs for active play, gardening, and outdoor classrooms maximize the building’s ability to facilitate both recreation and enhanced outdoor learning experiences for students – such as growing their own food – within the constraints of an urban landscape.
While an outdoor space at every level of the three-story building emphasizes the curriculum’s connection to nature, the design of the interior reinforces this respect for the earth and our environment. Working closely with educators, Studio 27 Architecture developed a unique identity for each floor as students progress through each grade level. The warm oranges of the first floor are reminiscent of the protective earth for K-1st. Enriching greens and blues welcome 2nd-4th grades, while the yellows of the third floor elevate the middle schoolers to the heights of the sun, a subtle reminder of the bright futures ahead of them.
Leading the pre-construction and construction phases was O.A. Peterson Construction, a fourth-generation, family-owned company based in New Jersey. O.A. Peterson Construction also believes in the collaborative approach, and the company worked closely with PACS leadership, Building Hope, and Studio 27 Architecture from day one.
The design and build included a full commercial kitchen which allows PACS to prepare healthy meals onsite for staff and students. PACS has partnered with Red Rabbit, a New York-based school food management company that specializes in nutritious, “culturally relevant” meals for high-need charter and public schools. By ensuring students receive meals that reflect their diverse cultural backgrounds, PACS is fostering a positive school environment by celebrating diversity and helping students feel more connected to their culture and community, ultimately supporting their overall well-being and academic success.
Today with more than 600 students and 112 staff, PACS provides a rigorous and moral education to a diverse student body, in a hands-on, technology-infused learning environment that embraces differentiated instruction in both indoor and outdoor spaces and individual attention that prepares students to attend college. The school is committed to helping its young men and women build a strong foundation for life, and it is known for fostering a hunger and determination in students, encouraging them to forge their own life path and make their dreams come true.
Through this collaboration with local leaders, designers, contractors, and nonprofit partner Building Hope, PACS has created for the community a model where learning is modernized, natural, and exciting. And just as its teachers do every day in the classroom with their students, PACS has taught that community that, together with love and support, we can reach beyond our limits.
Through strategic collaboration and innovative design, Building Hope is redefining public school education and demonstrating the profound impact such projects can have on both education and the broader community. The team at Building Hope is inspired by projects like this and is committed to championing initiatives that positively impact the future of education and the communities we serve.
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