In a major win for educational equity in Central Jersey, State Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) has championed a $2 million state grant to dramatically expand the “Community School” model across the Trenton, Hamilton and Ewing school districts.
The funding allows the nonprofit Mercer Street Friends to double its current footprint, increasing the number of Community Schools in the county from three to six. The expansion brings the holistic model to three new sites: Cadwalader Elementary (Trenton), Klockner Elementary (Hamilton) and Antheil Elementary (Ewing).
The Community School model moves beyond traditional academics by transforming public schools into “neighborhood hubs.” These sites integrate health care, social services and family engagement directly into the school building, removing the non-academic barriers—such as hunger, housing instability, or lack of medical care—that often hinder a child’s ability to learn.
“This model recognizes that students learn best when their academic, social, emotional and basic needs are addressed together,” Senator Turner said. “By bringing education, healthcare, family supports and community partnerships under one roof, community schools help remove barriers to learning and create stronger outcomes for students and families alike.”
The expansion is powered by the newly formed THE (Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing) Mercer Community School Coalition. This collaborative effort includes:
- Mercer Street Friends (Lead agency)
- Princeton Area Community Foundation
- Trenton, Hamilton, and Ewing School Districts
- The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
While Mercer Street Friends has led the initiative in Trenton since 2015—impacting over 10,000 lives at sites like Luis Muñoz-Rivera and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School—this grant marks the first time the program will reach students in the neighboring townships of Hamilton and Ewing.
Led by dedicated Site Coordinators, these schools will offer a suite of integrated services designed to support the “whole child”:
- Expanded Learning: Summer programs, reading intervention, and youth development.
- Family Wellness: Parent education, school-based food pantries, and mental health referrals.
- Case Management: Direct support for housing and social service needs.
Bernadette Trapp, Director of Community Schools for Mercer Street Friends and a former Trenton principal, noted that the initiative invites the community to invest in its own children. “Social, emotional, physical and academic support are essential to create stronger students, stronger families and stronger futures,” she said.
Superintendents from all three districts expressed enthusiasm for the regional approach. Trenton Superintendent James Earle noted the “tremendous success” the model has already seen in the city, while Ewing Superintendent Dr. David Gentile and Hamilton Superintendent Dr. Scott Rocco highlighted the momentum building across the county to meet the diverse needs of modern learners.
“We are thrilled that Mercer Street Friends received a state grant in recognition of its successful community schools work,” Mathieu Nelessen, president & CEO of the Princeton Area Community Foundation said.
The expansion is slated to begin during the 2025-2026 school year, cementing Mercer County’s position as a leader in New Jersey’s push for comprehensive student support services.
