Hoboken Dual Language Charter School

What Hoboken Dual Language Charter School does

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa), founded in 2009-2010, is a nonprofit public charter school operating under a performance contract with the New Jersey Department of Education from two Hoboken campuses — an elementary campus at 123 Jefferson St. (K-4) and a middle school campus at 301 Garden St. (5-8). It enrolls approximately 420-450 students and delivers a Spanish-English dual language immersion curriculum in which the language ratio shifts from 90/10 Spanish-dominant in K-2 to a 50/50 balance by grade 4, supported by a 90% Hispanic faculty drawn from 15+ countries. The school is the first and only free public Spanish + English dual language charter school in New Jersey, designated as a Dual Language Model Program by the NJDOE annually since 2014, the first NJ middle school with College Board AP program approval (2022), and the only public charter in the country designated as an International Spanish Academy by the Spanish Consulate (2024). Student-to-teacher ratios range from 12:1 (K-2) to 16:1 (3-4) and 15:1 (5-8), and academic outcomes include 79-80% AP Spanish pass rates and 100% NJ Biliteracy designation for eligible 8th graders.

HoLa's business model is tuition-free public charter funding combined with supplemental fundraising. The dominant revenue stream is per-pupil funding from the state of New Jersey — notably characterized by the school itself as the lowest per-student funding in the state (bottom 5%) despite top-5% performance — supplemented by donations through Friends of HoLa, a parent-run 501(c)(3) that has raised over $1 million since 2016, and targeted grants such as Hudson County Latino Foundation scholarships. Distribution runs entirely through a state-mandated lottery admissions system with weighted preferences for economically-disadvantaged families and English Language Learners (3x weight each), followed by Hoboken residents and out-of-district applicants. Marketing relies on school tours, open houses, earned media coverage, and word-of-mouth through the parent and alumni networks rather than paid acquisition, which is consistent with a capacity-constrained model where demand exceeds available seats.

The product portfolio extends beyond the core K-8 immersion program into add-on offerings including the Lightbulb Lab Gifted & Talented program, an AP Spanish course, STEM tracks (coding, robotics, 3D modeling, Algebra I in 8th grade), a public-facing Aventuras Veraniegas summer camp, aftercare, athletics, and enrichment clubs. Technology integration is limited to administrative systems (Cariina for staff workflows, Lotterease for lottery management); there is no disclosed AI, data, or platform capability. Strategic partnerships — Spanish Consulate (Visiting Teacher program, ISA designation), College Board (AP approval), City of Hoboken, Hoboken Public Library, and NJDOE — function as credentialing and resource layers rather than commercial channels.

Name

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School

Legal name

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School

Website

https://holahoboken.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) is a nonprofit K-8 public charter school in Hoboken, NJ, serving approximately 450 students through a Spanish-English dual language immersion curriculum and operating under a NJDOE charter with per-pupil funding and supplemental donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-8 Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Language Immersion & Bilingual Schools (EDAJACAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs (EDAJAGAB)

Keywords

• Dual language immersion
• Charter school education
• Bilingual K-8 program
• Spanish English instruction
• Public charter school

Headquarters

HQ city

Hoboken

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil State Funding: As a public charter school, receives per-pupil funding from the state of New Jersey. Despite being top 5% performing, receives the lowest per-student funding in the state.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Relies on donations from families and supporters. Friends of HoLa, a 501(c)(3) parent-run nonprofit, has raised over $1 million since 2016 to support critical programs and initiatives.
3. Grants: Receives grants including Hudson County Latino Foundation scholarships for Puerto Rico trips

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) is a tuition-free public charter school providing Spanish and English dual language immersion education to approximately 420-450 students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Instruction is delivered in both languages with a graduated ratio shifting from 90% Spanish in grades K-2 to a 50/50 balance by grades 4-8, with enrichment offerings including STEM, athletics, AP Spanish, gifted & talented programs, aftercare, and a Spanish-immersion summer camp.

Product overview

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) is a single, unified educational institution offering a Spanish and English dual language immersion program. The core product is the Dual Language Immersion Program spanning Kindergarten through 8th grade, supplemented by enrichment modules including the Gifted & Talented Program (Lightbulb Lab), STEM courses, AP Spanish, Athletics, Aftercare, Summer Camp (Aventuras Veraniegas), and Enrichment Clubs. The school serves approximately 420-450 students across two campuses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dual Language Immersion Program Spanish and English dual language immersion education program serving students from Kindergarten through 8th grade, utilizing an immersive approach where instruction is delivered in both languages with varying ratios by grade level (90/10 in K-2, transitioning to 50/50 by grade 4-8). This is the core educational program offered to enrolled families.
• Gifted & Talented Program (Lightbulb Lab) Differentiated instruction program for students with specific cognitive strengths, identified through classroom data and CogAT assessments, offering accelerated instruction and enrichment activities including hands-on extension activities. Available to enrolled HoLa students.
• Aftercare Program Extended day program offering snack, homework time, and free play daily, with optional enrichment offerings. Available to enrolled HoLa students.
• Aventuras Veraniegas Summer Camp Five-week Spanish immersion summer camp open to the general public, designed for students entering grades K-4, featuring exploration of different Spanish-speaking countries with arts programming and local field trips.
• AP Spanish Language and Culture Course College Board-approved AP course enabling 8th grade students to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam to qualify for college credits. First Middle School in New Jersey to have curriculum approved for this AP program.
• Athletics Program Competitive sports including Basketball (Grades 3-8), Soccer (Grades 6-8), Volleyball (Grades 6-8), and Track/Cross Country (Grades 6-8) offered through Hoboken's recreation program and the Charter School Athletic League. Available to enrolled HoLa students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of 8th graders passed AP Spanish Language and Culture exam (2022), with 79% passing rate in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• College BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022College Board approved HoLa's Middle School Spanish Language Arts curriculum as an AP program, enabling 8th graders to take AP Spanish Language and Culture exam for college credit.
• City of HobokenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnered with City of Hoboken during COVID-19 crisis to provide Spanish translators to Hoboken Seniors.
• Spanish ConsulatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Established Visiting Teacher program with the Spanish consulate - first school in NJ to do so. In 2024, Spanish Consulate designated HoLa as an International Spanish Academy (ISA) - the first school in NJ and only public charter in the country to receive this honor.
• New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharter school operating under 5-year performance contract with NJDOE. Designated as Dual Language Model Program annually since 2014. Participated in NJDOE pilot administration of Pathway to Biliteracy assessment.
• New Jersey Public Charter Schools AssociationminorOthersAffiliated with NJPCSA. Honored at NJPCSA's 25th Anniversary Charter School Gala.
• Hoboken Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to host free weekly bilingual story hour and bilingual story time programs.
• Hudson County Latino FoundationminorOthersMade $1,000 scholarship donation for HoLa Puerto Rico trip.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BASIS Charter Schools: A nationwide charter school network known for rigorous STEM-focused curriculum and consistently top-ranked academic outcomes. Comparable to HoLa in delivering top-tier academic performance recognized by US News & World Report rankings, though BASIS focuses on STEM rather than language immersion.
• Uncommon Schools: A multi-state charter management organization operating 25+ schools across NJ, NY, and MA serving approximately 20,000 students. Comparable to HoLa as a high-performing NJ/Northeast charter network, though significantly larger in scale and broader in academic focus.
• KIPP New Jersey: A large charter network operating multiple K-12 schools in Newark and surrounding NJ communities serving over 5,000 students. Comparable to HoLa as a high-performing NJ charter school network serving similar demographics, though KIPP is much larger and operates a broader college-prep model without language immersion specialization.

Regional players

• North Star Academy Charter School: A high-performing NJ-based charter school network (Uncommon Schools affiliate) operating multiple campuses in Newark serving K-12 students. Comparable to HoLa as a top-ranked NJ charter school serving urban underserved communities, though focused on college prep rather than language immersion.

Direct peers

• Global Community Charter School: A NYC-based K-8 dual language charter school offering instruction in Spanish and English with an extended day model. Comparable to HoLa as a K-8 charter school using a dual language immersion model with lottery-based admission.
• LEEP Dual Language Charter School: A New York City-based K-5 dual language charter school offering Spanish-English immersion to approximately 300 students. Directly comparable to HoLa as a public charter school focused exclusively on Spanish-English bilingual immersion with a lottery-based admission model.
• International Charter School of New York: A NYC-based K-8 charter school offering a Spanish-English dual language program. Comparable to HoLa as a K-8 public charter school with a Spanish-English bilingual immersion model and lottery-based admission serving a similar urban demographic.
• Dos Puentes Elementary School: A NYC public elementary school (District 6) operating a two-way dual language Spanish-English program. Comparable to HoLa as a Spanish-English immersion elementary program serving similar demographics, though operated as a district school rather than a charter.
• Public Preparatory Network (Public Prep): A NYC-based charter management organization operating single-sex public charter schools including Girls Prep and Boys Prep with extended day and college prep focus. Comparable to HoLa as a charter network serving underserved communities with high academic outcomes, though broader in scope.

Emerging players

• French-American School of New York: A private dual language immersion school in the NY/NJ region offering French-English bilingual instruction. Comparable to HoLa as a bilingual immersion school serving families seeking dual language education in the greater NYC metro area, though private and tuition-based rather than charter.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/holahoboken

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hoboken Dual Language Charter School