Newark Public School District

The Newark Public School District in New Jersey operates 60 schools, including 43 elementary schools, 15 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. The district serves a diverse student population and faces significant challenges, with many low-performing schools alongside a few standout high-achieving institutions.

The top-performing schools in the district are Science Park High School, which ranks 40th out of 426 high schools statewide and earns 5 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger, and Technology High School, which ranks 86th out of 426 and earns 4 out of 5 stars. These schools have exceptional test scores and graduation rates. In contrast, many other district schools struggle, with less than 10% of students proficient in core subjects.

The district faces significant challenges, including a high chronic absenteeism rate of 16.6%, well above the state average, and very low test scores compared to state averages. However, the standout performance of a few schools, like Park Elementary School, demonstrates that high-quality education is possible within the Newark Public School District. Addressing systemic issues and replicating the practices of successful schools could help raise achievement across the district.