History of Newark Public Schools in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 25, 2026

Newark Public Schools is a public school district in Newark, New Jersey, serving pre-K through 12th grade. The district experienced a 22-year state takeover starting in 1995, with local control being restored in 2018. As a former Abbott district, now termed an "SDA District", it receives state funding for school construction and renovation projects under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority due to the Abbott v. Burke decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

1948: Racial Integration

In 1948, Newark schools were racially integrated, and there were black teachers teaching all grade levels, though classified as "permanent substitutes".

1995: State Government Took Over Management

In 1995, the state government took over management of the city's schools from 1995-2018, under the presumption that improvement would follow.

1995: State Takeover

In 1995, the state of New Jersey took over the Newark Public School District, marking the third state takeover statewide.

1998: Blue Ribbon Award

During the 1998-99 school year, Ann Street School of Mathematics and Science was awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education.

December 2002: Poet Laureate Naming

In December 2002, Amiri Baraka was named the school district's poet laureate.

2003: School Enrollment

In 2003, the total school enrollment in Newark was 75,000, including 12,000 in pre-primary, 46,000 in elementary or high school, and 16,000 in college.

2004: Blue Ribbon Award

During the 2004-05 school year, Branch Brook Elementary School was awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence.

2005: Best Practices Award

In 2005, the district received the "Best Practices Award" from the New Jersey Department of Education for its "A Park Study: Learning About the World Around Us" Science program at Abington Avenue School.

2007: Blue Ribbon Award

During the 2007-08 school year, Harriet Tubman School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education.

2008: Elementary and Middle School Uniform Requirement

Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, students in elementary and middle school were required to wear school uniforms in Newark Public Schools.

2009: Blue Ribbon Award

During the 2009-10 school year, Science Park High School was awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence.

2009: Elementary and Middle School Uniform Requirement in effect

In 2009 school year, students in elementary and middle school were required to wear school uniforms in Newark Public Schools.

September 2010: High School Uniform Requirement

Beginning in September 2010, high school students were required to wear school uniforms in Newark Public Schools.

2010: Zuckerberg's Donation

In 2010, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg donated $100 million to Newark Public Schools, sharing the vision of Newark becoming a model for solving the crisis in public education.

February 1, 2018: Superintendent Resignation

On February 1, 2018, state-appointed superintendent Chris Cerf resigned from Newark Public Schools, coinciding with the return of local control to the district.

July 1, 2018: Roger León Takes Office

On July 1, 2018, Roger León, a Newark resident and educator, succeeded Chris Cerf as superintendent after being elected by the local school board.

November 2018: Referendum on District Type

In November 2018, during the general election, voters approved the district functioning as a Type II district, leading to the election of the board of education by city residents.

2018: Control Returned

In 2018, after 22 years of state control, the governance of Newark Public Schools was returned to the local district.

2018: State Government Returned Management

In 2018, the state government returned management of the city's schools after taking over management of the city's schools from 1995.

2020: Enrollment Statistics

As of the 2020-21 school year, Newark Public Schools comprised 63 schools with 40,423 students and 2,886.5 classroom teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 14.0:1.

2020: High School Enrollment Data

In 2020-21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics are listed for High schools in the district.

January 2024: City Council Vote

In January 2024, the Newark City Council voted to lower the minimum voting age in school board elections to 16, effective April 2024.

April 2024: Effective Date for Lowered Voting Age

April 2024 marks the effective date for the lowered minimum voting age of 16 in Newark school board elections, following the City Council's vote in January 2024.