With the excitement of winning the 2024 New York Life’s Excellence in Summer Learning Award still in the air, the Newark Board of Education celebrated another amazing season of learning, exploration, and enrichment for students in grades Pre-K through 12. As envisioned in the Strategic Plan, students in 15 elementary and 10 high schools enjoyed world-class summer programming in academics, enrichment, entrepreneurship, athletics, and college and career readiness-something for everyone!
At fifteen district elementary sites, students were actively engaged in academic pursuits from morning until noon within the Summer Achieve program. Young learners prepared for the transition to Kindergarten within the K-Ready Bootcamp, and English Language Learners strengthened their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in the English Plus Program. The Extended School Year program ensured exceptional students with IEPs maintained their skills at risk of regression. In the Summer Quest enrichment program from 1-6 pm, students experienced a wide selection of enrichment activities, choosing from debate, bowling, choir, Legos, book club, comic book making, martial arts, and more; this year more than 140 middle school students earned their CPR certifications. The Jump Start Program successfully introduced middle school students to an array of Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings available in high schools across the District. Students explored diverse fields, from culinary arts and graphic design to entrepreneurship, igniting their passion for hands-on learning and future career possibilities.
For students at the secondary level, high schools offered both accelerated and enrichment courses, maximizing learning opportunities during the summer months. Students engaged in innovative coursework that enhanced their skills while exploring their interests. External partners played a pivotal role in enriching student learning by offering a diverse array of experiences. Through collaborations with businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions, students engaged in hands-on projects, internships, mentorship programs and Pre-College preparation. In addition, the District offered a Summer Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Sports Camps, and much more. Overall, the summer months proved to be a time of academic growth, along with expanding students’ horizons and preparing them for a successful school year and beyond!