Newark Board of Education and Victoria Foundation Announce Winners of High School Civics Competition

NEWARK, N.J. – The Newark Board of Education and the Victoria Foundation today announced the three winning high schools of the student civic engagement competition they announced in March.

The competition began in the weeks before the Board of Education election in which 16 and 17-years could vote. High schools throughout Newark – district and charter – earned points for holding student-led activities such as student-led registration drives and education programs that promoted civic education and participation. A neutral committee, comprised of community leaders, education professionals and representatives from nonpartisan organizations scored school submissions.

The three schools with the highest civic engagement scores were:

University High School, where student-led events included partnering with local organizations to hold a Board of Education candidate panel. Students also partnered with the City of Newark to hold voter registration drives during lunch periods and held courses on the history of voting and its significance today, and attended the “State of the People Power Tour.” 

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School, where student-led events included partnering with the GEM Project to hold a Youth Power Action training event and partnering with a number of social justice and youth empowerment agencies in the Vote 16 Rock The Block voter registration event. The school also participated in the Push4Peace tour and hosted several other civic engagement activities in partnership with Newark Police and others. 

West Side High School, where student-led events included producing videos that promote youth voter registration and held voter registration drives. In addition, the students led several democracy building projects and a host of volunteer efforts.

The three schools will receive funding from the New Jersey Institute of Social Justice as part of a grant provided by the Victoria Foundation. University High School will receive $15,000, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School will receive $12,000, and West Side High School will receive $10,000.

“I commend all of the participating schools for their exceptional leadership,” said Superintendent León. “Our young people proved that civic engagement isn’t just a lesson in the classroom. It’s a force for real change. We are deeply grateful to the Victoria Foundation for recognizing and supporting the passion and promise of Newark’s youth.”

“This civics competition allowed Newark’s students to demonstrate what leadership, creativity, and civic responsibility truly mean,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “I’m proud of every student who participated and incredibly thankful to the Victoria Foundation for helping us turn student voice into student impact.”

“At the Victoria Foundation, we believe in investing in the power of young people to shape their communities and our democracy,” said Craig Drinkard, Executive Officer of the Victoria Foundation. “This initiative highlights what’s possible when students are given the tools and trust to lead. The students of University High School, West Side High School, and Greater Oaks Legacy High School have shown us what civic action looks like at its best. We are honored to support their continued efforts.”