District Sets New Universal School Schedule for 2024-2025

NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Public Schools (NPS) has officially announced the district’s new universal school schedule for the 2024-2025 academic year. All students, kindergarten through the 12th grade, will have school days that will run from 8:15 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.

The universal schedule is part of the June agreement between Newark Public Schools and the Newark Teachers Union, and it delivers several benefits for staff, students, and their families, including:

• Increased Instructional Time. There will be additional student contact time totaling 7.5. days over the school year, which will provide more student learning opportunities.
• Increased Tutoring Time. Elementary schools will benefit from an additional 30 hours of annual tutoring time integrated into the school days, supporting student achievement and growth.
• Streamlined Operations. A unified schedule across all schools will improve efficiency in delivering educational services and facilitate better coordination throughout the district.
• Paraprofessionals’ & Teachers’ Work Hours Aligned. All paraprofessionals—including teacher aides, parent liaisons, and educational interpreters—will work the same schedule as teachers, ensuring uniformity in support roles.
  
• Lunch Periods With Class Periods. Lunch periods will be consistent with regular class periods, promoting a more organized and effective school day structure.

In 2023-2024, K-8 students’ hours were 8:25 a.m. to 2:55 p.m., and high school students’ hours were 8:15 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.