Central High School Earns Middle States Accreditation

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Terri Mitchell
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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 Win Five First-Place Awards at Prestigious New York City Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament

October 27, 2025

NEW YORK CITY – Newark Public Schools students won five first-place awards at the 2025 New York City Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament, one of the nation’s most competitive and respected forensics competitions. The three-day event, hosted annually by the Bronx High School of Science, attracts hundreds of elite debaters and speakers from across the […]

Newark Students Earn High Honors at Yale Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament

October 1, 2025

Students from Barringer, Central, and University High Schools earn bids for the national Tournament of Champions The University High School team, from left: Jovany Hinds, Belonica Maceno, Coach Saul Grullon, Josmanuel De Leon, Dante Elliott, Jade Peralta, and Luis Franco. Britney Deer of Barringer High School Central High School’s Champion Allwell, left, and Jamal Kirton […]

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 […]