NEWARK, N.J. – Superintendent León was principal of University High School when it was announced that a new building for the school would be built. Since then, the project has been delayed by multiple factors, including changing state administrations and a worldwide pandemic.

But now, the end of wait is in sight.   

On Wednesday, as earth movers worked where Hawthorne Avenue meets Dewey Street in the city’s South Ward, the Superintendent León joined state and local leaders at the future school’s site to celebrate the start of work on the project that will provide generations of Newark students with a modern learning environment.

The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) hosted the event and is overseeing the construction of the approximately 198,000-square-foot school will accommodate up to 1,080 students in grades nine through twelve.

“The new university high school will be the first project that the SDA has completed in this ward in their promise of building new schools in Newark,” said Superintendent León. “Upon its completion, the state-of-the-art high school will be the home of the Phoenix, the incredible students from University High School.”

León celebrated University High School’s legacy of developing leaders, including Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. He thanked SDA Chief Executive Officer Manuel Da Silva, state legislators, district staff, and the school community for their work advancing the project, which he described as the SDA’s first new school construction project in the South Ward.

Da Silva, who attended Oliver Street School and Science High School, outlined the work underway and the next steps. Site preparation includes removing remaining building foundations and underground storage tanks, as well as a former roadway to expand the site for the school’s footprint. That phase is expected to continue through the first quarter of 2027.

The SDA is procuring a design-build contractor for the school’s final design and construction. Construction of the new building is anticipated to begin in fall 2027.

“Together we will deliver a modern, innovative learning environment that will support student success in generations to come,” said Mr. Da Silva.

N.J. Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz praised University High School’s academic achievements while emphasizing the need for sustained investment in school facilities throughout New Jersey.

“We celebrate today because University High School has been soaring academically, despite whatever its brick and mortar had indicated,” said Senator Ruiz.

Ruiz called for additional funding for school construction, stressing that students need facilities capable of supporting modern instruction and expanded educational opportunities.

Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin echoed that call, drawing on her experience as a former Newark school board member and her work in the Legislature. She emphasized the importance of adequate classroom space and the impact a new school building can have on students’ futures.

“We need to make sure that they’re equipped with schools that have enough learning capability and space,” said Pintor Marin.

Newark City Councilman Patrick Council spoke on behalf of Board of Education President Hasani K. Council, who was unable to attend. A former school board member who served when the project was first being developed, the councilman recognized the neighborhood families whose hopes for their community helped shape the effort. He also praised the Board President’s continued advocacy for his alma mater.

“When we move from this groundbreaking to this ribbon cutting, we will all rejoice,” said Councilman Council. “We’ll all be proud of the work that we have done together collectively.”

“As a University High School alumnus, I know the extraordinary talent and ambition of its students and the lasting impact this school has on their lives,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council, after the event. “Our students deserve a building that matches their potential. Seeing this project move forward is deeply meaningful to me, and I thank the SDA, Superintendent León, and our state and city leaders for helping bring this long-awaited investment to our community.”