Middle Schoolers In College Is What’s Happening in Newark Public Schools

NEWARK, N.J. – Sixth-graders learning to perform spoken word. Seventh-graders completing Algebra problems. Eighth-graders learning physics. And they were all in college classrooms.

These were highlights of Superintendent León’s Wednesday visit at Essex County College, Newark Public Schools’ partner in the Middle School to College, or M²C, program. Dr. Augustine A. Boakye, President of Essex County College, joined the Superintendent on the tour.

The program launched last fall as a way for middle school students to enhance their education, an effort that is aligned with the district’s The Next Decade 2020-30 Strategic Plan. The program’s students from throughout the City of Newark were required to show an exemplary academic record and be recommended by their school’s principal.

“It’s not enough to see that a student has potential. We need to act because our students have exceptional promise. We must provide them with the appropriate challenges to draw out their potential,” said Superintendent León. “That is what the M²C program does. And the result is seeing our middle school students thriving in a college environment. That is proof-positive of when our students are given the opportunity to excel, they will surpass our expectations.”

The Superintendent thanked everyone who helped make the M²C program possible, including Dr. Boakye, Essex County College, and the Newark Public Schools administrative team and staff.

“We would not have been able to implement this program without the full support of President Boakye, Dean of Community & Continuing Education and Workforce Development Elvira Vieira, and their staff,” said Superintendent León.

“The Middle School to College program represents the best of what public education can be: visionary, rigorous, and deeply committed to student growth,” said Board President Hasani K. Council. “It is incredibly powerful to know that Newark students, still in middle school, are succeeding in a college setting. This program opens doors and shifts mindsets about what our children are capable of when given the opportunity and support they deserve.”