Newark, NJ -  Newark Public Schools celebrates six comprehensive high schools that have earned the prestigious designation of Middle States Accreditation under the visionary leadership of Superintendent Roger Leὀn.

Middle States Accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in education - a voluntary, professional peer review process dedicated to enhancing schools, renowned as the gold standard for measuring and propelling school improvement.

It is an external objective validation of school quality and student achievement that fosters continuous school improvement.  Accreditation helps the entire school community think about the future they want and how to get there.  Earning accreditation shows that a school is committed to doing everything it can to support its students.

Accreditation offers many benefits: it serves as a cornerstone of public accountability, affirming the integrity of each school's programs, it fosters deeper involvement and commitment from stakeholders through increased participation opportunities, it serves as a compass, guiding the future trajectory of the school, and it provides various stakeholder groups with a platform to collectively shape, and envision a promising future.

The value of accreditation is that it organizes and creates a culture for sustainable continuous school improvement, it provides direction for those ongoing improvements while increasing accountability for student performance and organizational capacity.  Each school has forged a collective commitment to collaborate and transform education for the betterment of the students.

“Barringer, Central, East Side, Malcolm X Shabazz, Weequahic, and West Side High Schools have unequivocally showcased their dedication to enhancing the quality of educational experiences for their students. They have proven their commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities to both the public and the profession,” said Superintendent León.

Board President Council stated, “By meeting the rigorous standards for accreditation set forth by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, these six comprehensive high schools have underscored their excellence and unwavering commitment to best practices in education”.

Newark Public Schools proudly celebrates the remarkable achievement of Barringer, Central, East Side, Malcolm X Shabazz, Weequahic, and West Side High Schools in earning Middle States Accreditation. The attainment of accreditation positions students for a future filled with promise and possibility. And, through collaboration and a focus on student success, these schools are shaping a brighter tomorrow for Newark's youth.