Central High School Earns Middle States Accreditation

Accredited by Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools

About Our School

Central High School, founded in 1911, is located in Newark, New Jersey: the largest school district in the state and one of the oldest systems in New Jersey, dating back to 1676. After decades of struggle by School Officials, Parents, Staff, Students and the Community the new Central High School finally opened under the leadership of Principal Ras Baraka in August of 2008. This was a fulfillment of the Community’s dreams. The new Central is now a Beacon of Hope for the student to achieve academic excellence and compete in a global society.

Our School in the News

Newark Public Schools Students Make History at National Speech and Debate Tournament

June 26, 2025

Central and University High School competitors earn national honors; district recognized among Top 20 schools nationwide DES MOINES – Newark Public Schools student orators earned national recognition last week at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, capping off a historic year for the district’s speech and debate programs. For the first time […]

Central High School Earns Middle States Accreditation

June 3, 2025

Newark, NJ – Central High School has earned accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), a worldwide leader in accreditation and continuous school improvement. “Middle States accreditation serves as an independent validation of the good work we do, and the accreditation process focuses our attention on continuous growth and […]

Three District Students Break District’s Championship Barrier By Winning First Place at the Tournament of Champions

May 2, 2025

Students from Barringer, Central, and University High Schools win at prestigious national tournament LEXINGTON, KY – For as long as Newark Public Schools students have been involved in speech and debate competitions, a first place win at the University of Kentucky’s Tournament of Champions has eluded the district – until now. Three outstanding students have […]

District Speech & Debate Teams Win Five State Championships

March 28, 2025

Students from Arts, Barringer, Central, Science Park, and University high schools are among the tournament’s competitors FLEMINGTON, N.J. – Newark Public Schools’ student debaters and orators from five District high schools with first-place wins in five categories at the New Jersey Speech and Debate League’s state championships. Mofoluwa Olagadeyo and Risiqat Adeniji of Science Park […]

District Releases Video Promoting Student Voter Registration

March 13, 2025

Students who will be 16 or older on April 15 can register through March 25 NEWARK, N.J. – As the Newark Board of Education approaches its first election in which the voting age is 16, Newark Public Schools officials today released a video promoting student voter registration. “This is the first time Newark students can […]