Newark Public School District

The Newark Public School District consists of 63 schools, including 44 elementary schools, 15 high schools, and 4 alternative schools, serving students across a wide range of performance levels. While the district faces significant challenges, there are several standout high-performing schools that demonstrate the potential for excellence within the system.

Among the top-performing schools are Science Park High School, ranked 20th in the state with a 5-star rating, and Technology High School, ranked 44th and also with a 5-star rating. These schools boast exceptional academic performance, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and math subjects ranging from 73% to 92%. Additionally, Bard Early College High School and Michelle Obama Elementary School stand out as high-performing institutions, with proficiency rates as high as 92% in certain subjects.

However, the district as a whole faces significant challenges, with the majority of schools struggling to meet proficiency targets. The district-wide four-year graduation rate is 91.3%, and the dropout rate is 1%, but some individual schools like East Side High School and Barringer High School have lower graduation rates and higher dropout rates. Additionally, the district-wide chronic absenteeism rate is 14.9%, indicating a significant challenge with student engagement. While the per-student spending ranges widely, from $5,800 to $34,500, the majority of schools spend between $8,000 and $12,000 per student, raising questions about resource allocation and equity.