Newark Public Schools’ progress since return to local control marked by rising achievement, enrollment growth, financial stability, and expanded student opportunities
NEWARK, N.J. – During the Newark Board of Education’s retreat on Saturday, Superintendent León delivered remarks on the district’s transformation since the return to local control and highlighted the progress Newark Public Schools has made through its historic 10-year strategic plan.
“As a proud product of the Newark Public Schools, as a proud citizen of our city, I clearly know we have lots of work to do. But I also know the incredible work we’ve done,” said Superintendent León, addressing Board members, district leadership, and the public.
- CLICK HERE to watch Superintendent León’s address at Saturday’s board retreat.
In what could be described as a Newark Public Schools history lesson, the Superintendent, whose appointment began in July 2018, spoke of the district’s emergence from 25 years of state control through a one-year plan, NPS Clarity 2020.
“The one-year plan was a healing document,” he said. “We said to everyone, this is what we think happened during state operation, what we liked and what we didn't like. What we want to continue and what should have never started.”
He described the thinking behind the formulation of The Next Decade: 2020-30, the district’s historic 10-year strategic plan.
“We went from one year to 10 to be forward-thinking, to be understanding, to become a self-sustaining organization, to be systems thinkers,” he said. “That we have the audacity to believe that we can actually help, not only the students in Newark, but the students in every municipality in this great state.”
He noted that the district’s work has been guided by nationally recognized educational research, including the Accelerated Schools Project and the Chicago Consortium of School Research.
“The Accelerated Schools Project says accelerate the learning of children who you think are behind so that they can get ahead,” Superintendent León said.
The Superintendent highlighted numerous indicators of progress across the district, including:
- A 90% graduation rate
- A chronic absenteeism rate of 10.4%, below the state average of 16.6%
- Improvements in English language arts and mathematics across tested grades
- Enrollment growth while districts across New Jersey and the nation are experiencing declines
- The opening of 11 new schools and hundreds of additional classroom seats
- Middle States accreditation for all six comprehensive high schools
- Eight National Blue Ribbon Schools
- More than $632 million in college scholarships earned by students
- 894 students earned associate degrees while still in high school
- 869 students earned the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy
Superintendent León also highlighted the district’s expansion of programs for students with exceptionalities and bilingual students, including specialized services now attracting attention from educators nationwide.
“States from across this country are coming to Newark to see the incredible work that we’re doing,” Superintendent León said.
Recent visitors of the district include:
- The Urban Collective brought education leaders from 17 states and 33 districts to see Newark Public Schools’ innovative school programs at their annual conference.
- Birmingham City Schools visited the district’s robust speech and debate programs to replicate them in their schools.
- Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Trejo of the Socorro Independent School District in Texas – shadowed Superintendent León as part of her studies as an aspiring schools superintendent with the Michael Casserly Urban Executive Leadership Institute.
During his remarks, Superintendent León praised the Newark Board of Education for supporting policies and initiatives that have expanded opportunities for students, including the district’s FAFSA graduation requirement, which was later adopted statewide in New Jersey.
“The board unanimously voted to approve the new and harder graduation requirement,” Superintendent León said. “Today in New Jersey, for a student to graduate from high school, they have to complete the financial application.”
This new requirement, this single act, has opened more access to college in Newark and throughout New Jersey. In Newark, we made that happen for New Jersey.
Superintendent León also emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum as the district continues implementing its strategic plan through 2030.
“We have to keep on moving,” Superintendent León said.
“Superintendent León’s remarks during our retreat were a powerful reminder of how far Newark Public Schools has come since the return to local control and how much promise lies ahead for our students,” said Hasani K. Council, President of the Newark Board of Education. “The progress our district has achieved is the direct result of a strategic vision that puts children first. As Board members, we are proud to support policies and investments that continue transforming Newark Public Schools into one of the nation’s leading urban school districts.”