About Us
Learn more about our school, leaders and how innovation powers our unique approach to education.
We are HoLa! Founded in 2010, Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) is the first and only free public Spanish + English Dual Language Charter School in New Jersey. Each year HoLa educates 420+ children from Kindergarten to 8th grade through an immersive Spanish/English dual language approach.
HoLa is a US News & World Report top New Jersey Elementary & Middle School (Private & Public). HoLa is the first Middle School in the state to have its curriculum approved for the College Board’s AP exam program, enabling students to take the Spanish AP exam in 8th grade to qualify for college credits. HoLa is designated as a Dual Language Model Program for the state of New Jersey.
HoLa’s mission is to develop our students into bilingual, biliterate, and culturally aware global citizens who are highly engaged contributors to their communities. A diverse faculty is critical to achieving our mission - HoLa's staff is 90% Hispanic and represents over 15 different countries throughout the Americas and Europe.
HoLa graduates attend the top public and private high schools and colleges in the U.S. and abroad. We are HoLa!
Innovation is a part of HoLa's DNA
It has guided our unique approach to education.
2009
HoLa's charter was approved by NJDOE. Our charter is based on research demonstrating that students in dual language immersion classrooms thrive academically - excelling in cognitive development, flexible thinking and problem solving.
2010
HoLa opened its doors for kindergarten through second grade as the first and only Spanish-English full immersion dual-language public school in New Jersey.
2014
HoLa was designated as a Dual Language Model Program by the NJDOE - the only charter school in NJ to receive this honor. HoLa has held this distinction annually and serves as a resource to educators from all over the US.
2015
HoLa was the first charter school in NJ to implement a weighted lottery system in favor of low-income families.
2017
HoLa graduated its first 8th grade class.
2018
HoLa expanded its weighted lottery to include English Language Learners and increase the weight for low-income applicants to triple the weight.
2019
HoLa was the first school in NJ to establish a Visiting Teacher program with the Spanish consulate.
2021
Hola was recognized by US News and World Report as one of the Best Elementary and Middle Schools in NJ.
2022
The College Board approved HoLa’s Middle School Spanish Language Arts curriculum as an AP program. 80% of 8th grade students passed the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, receiving college credit.
2022
HoLa participated in the NJDOE pilot administration of the Pathway to Biliteracy assessment for 8th graders. 100% of HoLa’s 8th graders who had attended the school for at least two years received the designation on their diplomas.
2023
HoLa was the first public charter to receive the School Leader Award from the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).
2024
The Spanish Consulate designated HoLa as an International Spanish Academy (ISA) - the first school in the state of New Jersey and the only public charter school in the entire country to receive this honor.
The HoLa Administrative Team
Our team shares a passion for quality education, recognizes the value of bilingualism, and is committed to diversity in the classroom.
Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees supports HoLa's leadership with legal, financial and strategic guidance, and holds our school accountable for results.
The Friends of HoLa
A 501(c)(3) organization, FOH is an all-volunteer, parent-run, non-profit organization created to benefit HoLa.
HoLa Alumni
HoLa graduates are admitted to some of the best public and private high schools in the region. We are proud of the legacy HoLa is building for our community and our students.
School Plans & Policies