JERSEY CITY

— A 27-year-old English teacher at a college preparatory high school in Newark was charged today with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old student, authorities said.

Elyse Cromwell, of Jersey City, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gene Rubino said.

Cromwell allegedly engaged in multiple sex acts with the student in Jersey City last summer, Rubino said. However, he would not specify where the incidents took place. Cromwell was arrested at her Bergen Avenue home without incident around 10 p.m. Wednesday, Rubino said.

Cromwell teaches at the Newark Early College High School. The program, housed at the Louise A. Spencer School, is a partnership with Essex County College and Rutgers University that aims to have students complete between 30 and 60 college credits before graduation, according to its website.

Cromwell has been suspended pending an investigation, said Renee Harper, a school district spokeswoman. She declined to comment further.

Rubino said an investigation began when his office was contacted by Newark Police. Cromwell remains at the Hudson County jail in lieu of $300,000 and has been barred from contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Cromwell was hired by Newark Public Schools in 2009 and was earning $50,000 a year, according to records. A California native, she graduated from California State University in 2008 and obtained her master's degree in education from Kean University last year, according to her Facebook page.

On her Facebook page, Cromwell says she "hit the jackpot" when she was hired by the Early College High School program.

"As a first year teacher, I have more freedom than I ever could have imagined and an incredibly hard-working, united and supportive staff/administration," Cromwell wrote. "I cannot emphasize it enough-- I LOVE MY JOB!"

Star-Ledger staff writer David Giambusso contributed to this report.

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