NJ awards $3.75M in early literacy grants; dozens of schools in Morris, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Hunterdon benefit
TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Education has awarded nearly $3.75 million in early literacy grants to school districts and charter schools across the state, including dozens in northwestern New Jersey, to support efforts aimed at improving literacy among students in kindergarten through third grade.
The funding includes two separate programs: the FOCUS (Funding for Optimal Comprehensive Universal Screeners) grant, totaling $2.3 million, and the BRIDGE (Building Responsive Instruction through Data Guided Evaluation) grant, which will distribute $1.4 million to select districts with high needs.
“These grants are an integral component of our early literacy initiative designed to give New Jersey schools the tools that will help implement the changes necessary to improve literacy skills among our youngest students,” said Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. Governor Phil Murphy called the effort key to “making New Jersey the best state in the country to raise a child.”
Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, a sponsor of the law that underpins the grant effort, added, “By intervening with urgency and intention, we can close achievement gaps and create a future where our children aren’t reading just to get by, but reading to get ahead.”
Under the legislation, schools must now conduct at least two literacy screenings annually for K-3 students. The FOCUS grants help districts purchase or upgrade screening tools and support professional development. BRIDGE grants offer additional support to schools with high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced lunch and who underperformed in statewide English Language Arts assessments.
Schools Receiving Funds in Morris, Warren, Sussex, Hunterdon, and Somerset Counties:
Morris County (BRIDGE Grant):
- Dover – $81,864
Morris County (FOCUS Grants):
- Boonton Township – $1,840
- Chathams – $9,220
- Chester Township – $4,070
- Dover Town – $8,700
- East Hanover Township – $4,150
- Florham Park – $3,950
- Hanover Township – $5,150
- Harding Township – $1,340
- Jefferson Township – $6,910
- Kinnelon Borough – $4,690
- Mendham Borough – $2,010
- Mendham Township – $3,300
- Montville Township – $9,840
- Morris School District – $14,430
- Mount Olive Township – $13,350
- Mountain Lakes – $3,000
- Netcong – $1,100
- Long Hill Township – $3,630
- Pequannock Township – $5,870
- Roxbury Township – $8,900
- Washington Township – $8,250
- Unity Charter School – $1,110
Warren County (FOCUS Grants):
- Allamuchy Township – $1,720
- Greenwich Township – $2,400
- Hackettstown – $4,420
- Phillipsburg – $8,150
- Washington Township – $2,140
Sussex County (FOCUS Grants):
- Andover Regional – $1,790
- Byram Township – $3,250
- Franklin Borough – $1,850
- Hardyston Township – $2,320
- Montague – $1,250
- Stillwater Township – $1,330
- Vernon Township – $8,360
Hunterdon County (FOCUS Grants):
- Alexandria Township – $1,680
- Clinton Township – $4,700
- East Amwell Township – $1,430
- South Hunterdon Regional – $1,800
- Franklin Township – $1,150
- Kingwood Township – $1,280
- Milford Borough – $340
Somerset County (FOCUS Grants):
- Bernards Township – $12,100
- Branchburg Township – $6,010
- Bridgewater-Raritan Regional – $19,970
- Franklin Township – $20,040
- Green Brook Township – $2,930
- Manville Borough – $4,820
- Montgomery Township – $10,070
- Somerville Borough – $4,390
- Charter School: Central Jersey College Prep – $2,900
The grant program runs through May 31, 2026, with additional funds from the state’s FY2025 budget expected to be distributed in a future round. The Department of Education noted that more than 270 districts and charter schools will benefit from these initial disbursements.
