Rosa Branco
Principal

About Our School

First Avenue School has been the proud recipient of numerous awards for improvement of student achievement and school climate. Our school has high expectations for each of our students and provides them with challenging and stimulating educational experiences that enhance their educational growth through our powerful learning philosophy as well as a wide variety of extra curricular activities.

Our ethnically diverse student body receives Bilingual, ESL, Special Education and Resource Room instruction as well as four (4) self-contained Autistic classrooms and a comprehensive Developmental Program. Each of these academic programs is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and the Newark Public Schools Educational Plan.

Welcome Back Letter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope you are enjoying your summer! I am Rosa Branco, the very proud principal of First Avenue Elementary School. I would like to introduce our fabulous vice principals: Ms. Neysa Miranda (Pre-K - 2nd grade), Ms. Tenelle Edmundson (grade 3-4 and Autism program), Ms. Tamra Leveridge (grades 5 and 6) and Mr. Dave Zatorski (grades 5 and 6). We are looking forward to having him on our team this year.

Click the Read More button to read more of the principal's Welcome Back Letter.

Welcome…

…to First Avenue School! FAS is a Pre-K through Eighth Grade school located in the North Ward section of the city of Newark. FAS focuses on academic standards aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Please peruse the information about First Avenue School as well as the links and other resources for teachers, students and parents.

Bienvenidos…

…a la Escuela Primera Avenida! La escuela Primera Avenida es una de Pre-K hasta el octavo grado y es ubicada en la sección norte de la ciudad de Newark. La escuela Primera Avenida se centra en los estándares académicos alineados con los Estándares Estatales Comunes. Por favor,estudie la información sobre la Escuela Primera Avenida, así como enlaces y otros recursos para maestros, estudiantes y padres.

Our School in the News

NBOE Launches its District-Wide Painting Initiative

August 21, 2023

First Row: Park Elementary cafeteria; Quitman Street cafetorium Second Row: Central High School classroom; Speedway Avenue first floor corridors The Facilities Department has diligently worked throughout the summer to ensure that all buildings are thoroughly cleaned and repaired in anticipation of the return of students and staff in September 2023. This year, the department implemented […]

Sustainable Heroes: Jenna Kostovski

December 13, 2022

For over ten years, Jenna Kostovski has served as the music teacher at First Avenue School, a pre-K through eighth grade school located in the North Ward section of the city of Newark. A natural leader with a knack for building partnerships, Jenna was asked to head the school’s green team in 2020. Under her leadership, the school achieved Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification at the silver-level; First Avenue School is one of only four schools in Essex County that have accomplished this. The sustainability program at First Avenue School benefits from the active participation and encouragement from Principal Rosa Branco and a group of talented staff and students.