A Unified Voice for Private Education Across New Jersey
Since its founding in 1993, the New Jersey Council for American Private Education (NJCAPE) has served as the unified voice for New Jersey's nonpublic schools, advocating for policies that protect educational freedom, strengthen school choice, and ensure equitable access to programs and services for all students.
Today, NJCAPE represents more than 900 nonpublic schools educating over 160,000 students across New Jersey through a broad coalition of Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, independent, special education, and other nonpublic school organizations.
OUR COALITION INCLUDES
Agudath Israel of New Jersey
Archdiocese of Newark
Association of Christian Schools International
Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped
Christian Schools International
Diocese of Camden
Diocese of Metuchen
Diocese of Paterson
Diocese of Trenton
MidAtlantic Christian Schools Association
New Jersey Association of Independent Schools
New Jersey Association of Jewish Day Schools
New Jersey Association of Lutheran Schools
New Jersey Catholic Conference
New Jersey Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Schools
New Jersey League of Islamic Schools
TeachNJ
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our leadership team is made up of experienced educators and leaders from across New Jersey’s private school community. Together, they help guide NJCAPE’s mission, represent the interests of member schools, and work to ensure that private education remains a strong and vibrant part of the state’s educational landscape.
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OUR MISSION
Together, NJCAPE's member organizations advocate to ensure that families have access to high-quality educational options and that New Jersey's nonpublic school students receive the support, opportunities, and equitable services they deserve.
United by a shared commitment to educational freedom and student success, NJCAPE speaks with one voice on behalf of New Jersey's nonpublic schools, advocating for policies that benefit students, families, educators, and the communities they serve.
OUR HISTORY
Since 1993: Advancing Educational Opportunity for New Jersey Families
Founded in 1993, the New Jersey Council for American Private Education (NJCAPE) has served as the unified voice for New Jersey's diverse nonpublic school community. Bringing together Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, independent and other nonpublic school associations, NJCAPE was established on a simple but enduring principle: every child deserves equitable access to educational opportunities, regardless of the school their family chooses.
Among NJCAPE's founding leaders was George Corwell, whose vision and decades of bipartisan advocacy helped establish the organization as a respected and trusted voice in Trenton. Alongside education leaders from across New Jersey, Corwell helped build an organization focused not on ideology, but on practical solutions that improve educational opportunities for students and strengthen partnerships between government and nonpublic schools.
Today, NJCAPE represents more than 900 schools serving over 160,000 students throughout New Jersey. For more than three decades, the organization has worked collaboratively with Governors of both parties, legislators, state agencies, and education stakeholders to advance policies that support students, respect parental choice, and recognize the important public benefit provided by New Jersey's nonpublic schools.
NJCAPE has consistently advocated for equitable participation in programs that promote student health, safety, academic success, and educational opportunity while preserving the independence and distinctive missions of New Jersey's nonpublic schools.
OUR IMPACT
A Legacy of Results
For more than thirty years, NJCAPE has helped shape policies that ensure New Jersey students attending nonpublic schools have equitable access to essential educational services. Through sustained bipartisan advocacy, the organization has supported legislation and funding that provides:
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Health and Wellness Services including school nursing and student wellness initiatives.
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Academic Support Programs through compensatory education, English language learner services, textbooks, instructional materials, educational technology, and supplemental academic assistance.
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Services for Students with Disabilities including evaluations, speech-language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, and other Chapter 193 services.
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School Safety and Security through dedicated security aid, emergency preparedness resources, safety training, and investments that help protect students and school communities.
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Transportation Assistance that helps families access the school that best meets their children's needs.
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Facilities and Infrastructure Support that assists schools in maintaining safe, healthy, and secure learning environments.
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Emergency and Pandemic Response that ensured nonpublic school students and schools were included in critical state and federal relief efforts.
ADVOCACY
THAT BENEFITS FAMILIES
Throughout its history, NJCAPE has championed policies that:
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Expand educational opportunity and parental choice.
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Ensure equitable access to publicly funded student services.
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Promote student health, safety, and academic success.
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Preserve the independence and religious liberty of nonpublic schools.
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Reduce unnecessary regulation while maintaining accountability.
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Foster collaboration among government, educators, and community partners.
A BIPARTISAN
TRADITION
NJCAPE has long believed that supporting students should transcend politics.
For more than three decades, the organization has worked with Republican and Democratic Governors, legislators from both parties, state agencies, and education organizations to build practical, bipartisan solutions that strengthen educational opportunity for all New Jersey families.
This collaborative approach has earned NJCAPE a reputation as a trusted, solutions-oriented advocate committed to responsible stewardship of public resources while ensuring that every child has access to the services and supports they need to thrive.
LOOKING AHEAD
As New Jersey's educational landscape continues to evolve, NJCAPE remains committed to advancing policies that expand opportunity, strengthen educational partnerships, and ensure that families who choose a nonpublic education continue to have equitable access to the services and resources that support student success.
Whether advocating for enhanced security funding, expanded student services, or implementation of the Education Freedom Tax Credit, NJCAPE continues to champion practical, bipartisan solutions that benefit students, families, schools, and the State of New Jersey.