At its July 28 meeting, the Trenton Board of Education officially approved the names of two new schools being constructed in the city’s South Ward through the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.
The modern facility will house two distinct schools, one elementary (grades K–3) and one intermediate (grades 4–6) — within a single, state-of-the-art building.
Together, the schools will serve up to 837 students at maximum capacity, with a projected functional capacity of 753 students based on a 90% utilization rate. The campus will include five classrooms per grade from kindergarten through fifth grade, four sixth-grade classrooms, a dedicated science lab for sixth grade, and six special education classrooms.
The Board of Education is proud to announce that the schools will be named in honor of two extraordinary individuals who dedicated their lives to education and community service:
- Betty V. Coles
- Miguel A. Hernandez
The designation of which name will be assigned to each school is currently under consideration and will be announced in the coming months.
Honoring Betty V. Coles
Betty Virginia V. Coles was a trailblazing educator, mentor and civic leader whose influence shaped generations of students and families in Trenton. A proud native of the city, she graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1945 and earned a bachelor of science degree in home economics from West Virginia State College in 1949.
She began her teaching career in 1951 at the New Jersey Reformatory for Women in Clinton, where she taught home management to incarcerated women. In 1954, she returned to her hometown to become the first African American woman to teach at Junior High School No. 1. She went on to serve Trenton Public Schools for more than 35 years, retiring in 1989 after an exceptional career teaching home economics, parenting and family living.
Known for her grace, wisdom and high expectations, Coles inspired countless students to see their own potential and become leaders in their communities. She was named Teacher of the Year and served as a respected leader in the Trenton Education Association, advocating for strong public schools and equitable student support.
Beyond education, Coles was a beacon of community service. She was a lifelong member of Shiloh Baptist Church, where her powerful soprano voice and leadership enriched worship for over 80 years. Her faith inspired a lifetime of volunteerism and civic involvement. She was an active member of numerous organizations, the Bronzettes Inc., the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, the NAACP (Lifetime Member), the National Congress of Black Women Inc., the Carver Youth and Family Center, and the Carver Century Club. She was a charter member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc – Epsilon Upsilon Omega Chapter. For over 25 years Ms. Coles was a dedicated Trustee of the Trenton YMCA d/b/a Capital Area YMCA and was the first Black Woman to be voted onto New Jersey’s oldest YMCA Trustee Board.
A devoted single mother, Coles exemplified integrity, resilience and service. She passed away on April 6, 2018, at the age of 90. The Betty Vaughn Coles Scholarship was established and awards graduating Trenton students who are continuing their post high school education. Her legacy lives on through every student, family and community member she uplifted — and now, through the generations who will walk through the doors of a school that bears her name.
Honoring Miguel A. Hernandez
Miguel A. Hernandez was a lifelong educator, veteran and community advocate whose decades of service left an indelible mark on Trenton. Born in Puerto Rico, he moved to the mainland United States to pursue education and opportunity. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in urban studies from The College of New Jersey.
On Feb. 27, 1952, Hernandez enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably in the Korean War as part of the 65th Infantry Regiment — the Borinqueneers — a segregated Puerto Rican unit celebrated for bravery and perseverance in the face of discrimination. In 2014, the regiment was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. In 2020, Mayor Reed Gusciora presented Hernandez with a city proclamation honoring his service and lasting contributions to Trenton.
After the war, Hernandez devoted more than 40 years to Trenton Public Schools as a teacher and advocate, helping to strengthen bilingual education and support for English language learners. He was known for his calm presence, compassionate instruction and unwavering belief in his students’ potential. In 1994, he was selected for the Governor’s Special Recognition Program for the State of New Jersey, a testament to his public service and educational leadership.
Even after retiring, Hernandez continued serving the community through adult education and GED instruction at Mercer County Community College. One former student from the 1980s described him as a transformative teacher who encouraged confidence and character. He led by example and helped countless individuals believe in their own ability to succeed.
Hernandez passed away on Oct. 27, 2020. He was a proud soldier, father, teacher and community servant. Naming a school in his honor ensures his values — education, perseverance, courage and community — continue to guide and inspire future generations of Trenton students.
A Lasting Legacy
The naming of these two new schools pays tribute to the lives of Betty V. Coles and Miguel A. Hernandez — two pillars of the Trenton community who exemplified excellence, compassion and service. Their stories will live on in the students who walk through the doors of these schools and in the community’s shared vision for a brighter future.
Further information about grade-level assignments and school configuration will be shared as planning continues.