Is This the Key to Ending School Segregation in New Jersey? One Nonprofit Thinks So

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, for over seven years, a major lawsuit has challenged New Jersey’s public school system, alleging it remains unconstitutionally segregated. Now, a new voice has entered the legal conversation — the New Jersey Policy Institute (NJPI) — with a surprisingly practical, budget-friendly solution: expand Interdistrict Public School Choice.

A Fresh Take on an Old Problem

The lawsuit, initiated by the Latino Action Network, takes aim at New Jersey’s long-standing practice of assigning students to schools based on where their parents can afford to live. The result? Stark racial and socioeconomic segregation between districts.

But NJPI’s amicus brief, filed in support of the plaintiffs, argues there’s an existing tool that could help — one that’s been hiding in plain sight.

“No child’s educational future should be limited by their zip code,” says Wells Winegar, Executive Director of NJPI.

What Is Interdistrict Public School Choice?

First launched as a pilot in 1999 and made permanent in 2010, the Interdistrict Public School Choice Program allows families to enroll their children in public schools outside their home districts. This kind of “open enrollment” gives families flexibility to seek better educational opportunities.

National polling shows massive bipartisan support:

• 79% of Democrats

• 75% of Republicans

• 73% of Independents

All back open enrollment, especially for access to:

• Advanced academic programs (AP, IB, ROTC)

• Safer school environments

• Higher-performing districts

High Demand, Frozen Program

Despite the program’s success and popularity, New Jersey froze the program in 2015, citing cost concerns. But demand hasn’t faded. In fact, there’s currently a waitlist of over 2,000 students.

Here are some key examples from NJPI:

• Englewood Regional: 265 choice students, 96 on the waitlist

• Rockaway: 128 enrolled, 151 waiting

• Haddon Heights: 68 enrolled, 84 waiting

• South Hunterdon Regional: 97 enrolled, capacity for 150, 25 waiting

NJPI argues that expanding this program would be revenue-neutral and provide a voluntary, cost-effective way to increase diversity in public schools.

NJPI’s Plan: The Interdistrict Desegregation Transfer Plan

To address the lawsuit head-on, NJPI proposes a strategic rollout:
The Interdistrict Desegregation Transfer Plan would incentivize nearby districts to accept students from 28 highly segregated districts named in the lawsuit.

“The infrastructure already is in place, and there is significant interest among parents and students to expand the program,” said Winegar. “It is cost-effective, voluntary, and will produce no significant additional administrative burden for the State.”

⚖️ Why This Matters

This proposal gives the state a chance to act quickly and decisively. Rather than inventing a new system, the state can leverage a proven one — already in demand, already functional — to tackle a constitutional crisis in public education.

Bottom line: The NJPI’s proposal is more than just policy talk — it’s a ready-made, cost-effective solution to school segregation in New Jersey. With political will and public support, this could mark a turning point in the fight for equitable education.

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