The state Department of Education has granted six new charter school applications and 12 charter renewals, Acting Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy announced last week.

Two schools will begin operating in 2006-07: Benchmark Academy Charter High School, Corbin City region, Atlantic County; and Central Jersey College Prep Charter School, Franklin Township region, Middlesex and Somerset counties.

The remaining four schools will begin operating in 2007-08. They are—Bergen Arts and Science Charter School, Hackensack region, Bergen County; TLC Charter School, Cherry Hill, Camden County; Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School, Newark, Essex County; and Foundation Academy Charter School, Trenton, Mercer County.

The six approved applications were among 25 filed in July.

51 in Operation  A 1996 statute established charter schools in New Jersey. The publicly funded schools are intended to expand school choice and develop innovative educational practices. As of September 2005, 51 charter schools, serving approximately 14,900 students, operated throughout the state.