Public schools in Newark, NJ
86 open public schools with an address in Newark, operated by 21 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
86
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
63,650
85 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
14.4:1
New Jersey median 11.2:1
Charter schools
15
8 magnet · 0 virtual
An overview of Newark public schools
The federal directory lists 86 public schools in Newark, NJ: 53 elementary, 1 middle, 23 high, 9 combined or other. The 85 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 63,650 students, an average of 749 per school. The largest campus is North Star Academy Charter School (6,714 students), and the largest elementary school is Ann Street School (1,294).
Newark Public School District operates the most schools here (65), plus 20 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 14.4:1, higher than the statewide school median of 11.2:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 15 charter schools, 8 magnet schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 27 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 18 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 16 of 29 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 82% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Newark
Newark Public School District
Public school district
65 schools in Newark
Essex County Schools of Technology
Specialized public school district
2 schools in Newark · 3 total
Discovery Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Essex Co JDC
State operated agency
1 school in Newark
Gateway Academy Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Gray Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
LEAD Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Link Community Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Marion P. Thomas Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
New Horizons Community Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Newark Educators Community Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
North Star Academy Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Office of Education Department of Children and Families
State operated agency
1 school in Newark · 19 total
Office of Education Juvenile Justice Commission
State operated agency
1 school in Newark · 13 total
Office of Educational Services Department of Corrections
State operated agency
1 school in Newark · 6 total
Philip's Academy Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Robert Treat Academy Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Roseville Community Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
TEAM Academy Charter School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Newark
Elementary schools in Newark
53| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abington Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 842 | 15.6:1 | |
| Ann Street School Newark Public School District | KG–08 | 1,294 | 16.2:1 | |
| Avon Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 485 | 13.1:1 | |
| Belmont Runyon Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 508 | 14.1:1 | |
| Branch Brook School Newark Public School District | PK–05 | 60 | 6.7:1 | |
| Bruce Street School Newark Public School District · Special Education School | PK–08 | 34 | 3.4:1 | |
| Camden Street Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 685 | 15.6:1 | |
| Chancellor Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 607 | 13.5:1 | |
| Dr. E. Alma Flagg School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 570 | 13.9:1 | |
| Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 690 | 14.4:1 | |
| East Ward Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 854 | 17.4:1 | |
| Elliott Street Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 880 | 14.7:1 | |
| First Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 1,084 | 14.3:1 | |
| Fourteenth Avenue School Newark Public School District · Special Education School | PK–08 | 104 | 6.9:1 | |
| Franklin Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 725 | 13.2:1 | |
| George Washington Carver Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 736 | 16:1 | |
| Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 321 | 14.6:1 | |
| Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 298 | 11.5:1 | |
| Hawkins Street School Newark Public School District | KG–08 | 660 | 14:1 | |
| Hawthorne Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 444 | 15.9:1 | |
| Ironbound Academy Elementary School Newark Public School District | KG–07 | 325 | 20.3:1 | |
| Ivy Hill Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 488 | 12.2:1 | |
| Lafayette Street School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 1,213 | 16.2:1 | |
| Lincoln Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 420 | 14.5:1 | |
| Link Community Charter School Link Community Charter School · Charter | KG–08 | 343 | 15.5:1 | |
| Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 774 | 12.7:1 | |
| Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 818 | 13.9:1 | |
| Maria Varisco Rogers Charter School Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School · Charter | KG–08 | 572 | 14.3:1 | |
| McKinley Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 917 | 17.3:1 | |
| Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–06 | 198 | 11:1 | |
| Mt Vernon Place School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 905 | 16.5:1 | |
| Nelson Mandela Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–05 | 256 | 21.3:1 | |
| New Horizons Community Charter School New Horizons Community Charter School · Charter | KG–08 | 370 | 11.9:1 | |
| Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark Educators Community Charter School · Charter | PK–04 | 142 | 11.8:1 | |
| Oliver Street School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 1,034 | 13.4:1 | |
| Park Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 747 | 12.9:1 | |
| Peshine Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 635 | 13.5:1 | |
| Philip's Academy Charter School Philip's Academy Charter School · Charter | PK–08 | 730 | 25.2:1 | |
| Quitman Street School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 706 | 16.4:1 | |
| Rafael Hernandez School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 713 | 16.2:1 | |
| Ridge Street School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 593 | 13.2:1 | |
| Robert Treat Academy Charter School Robert Treat Academy Charter School · Charter | KG–08 | 702 | 19:1 | |
| Roberto Clemente Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 742 | 16.9:1 | |
| Roseville Community Charter School Roseville Community Charter School · Charter | KG–05 | 285 | 11.9:1 | |
| Salome Urena Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 516 | 17.2:1 | |
| Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–06 | 225 | 15.5:1 | |
| South 17th Street School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 368 | 12.7:1 | |
| South Street Elementary School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 866 | 15.2:1 | |
| Speedway Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 525 | 13:1 | |
| Sussex Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 545 | 15.6:1 | |
| The Gray Charter School Gray Charter School · Charter | KG–08 | 317 | 19.3:1 | |
| Thirteenth Avenue School Newark Public School District | PK–08 | 833 | 16:1 | |
| Wilson Avenue School Newark Public School District | KG–08 | 1,006 | 16.2:1 |
Middle schools in Newark
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Charter School Discovery Charter School · Charter | 04–08 | 99 | 15.8:1 |
High schools in Newark
23| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History High School Newark Public School District · Magnet | 09–12 | 386 | 11:1 | |
| Arts High School Newark Public School District · Magnet | 09–12 | 611 | 11.9:1 | |
| Bard Early College High School Newark Public School District · Magnet | 09–12 | 395 | 12.5:1 | |
| Barringer High School Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 1,894 | 17.2:1 | |
| Central High School Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 1,051 | 13.6:1 | |
| Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 155 | 11.1:1 | |
| East Side High School Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 2,046 | 15.2:1 | |
| Essex Co JDC Essex Co JDC · Alternative School | 08–12 | 0 | — | |
| Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology Essex County Schools of Technology · Career and Technical School | 09–12 | 1,230 | 13.2:1 | |
| Essex County Newark Tech Essex County Schools of Technology · Career and Technical School | 09–12 | 606 | 10.8:1 | |
| Essex Rch Office of Education Juvenile Justice Commission · Alternative School | 09–12 | 0 | — | |
| John F. Kennedy School Newark Public School District · Special Education School | 09–12 | 143 | 6.5:1 | |
| LEAD Charter School LEAD Charter School · Charter | 09–12 | 333 | 66.6:1 | |
| Malcolm X Shabazz High School Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 531 | 21.2:1 | |
| Newark Sch of Data Science and Information Technology Newark Public School District · Magnet | 09–12 | 414 | 13.8:1 | |
| Newark School of Fashion & Design Newark Public School District · Magnet | 09–12 | 275 | 14.5:1 | |
| Newark School of Global Studies Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 377 | 12.4:1 | |
| Newark Vocational High School Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 591 | 10:1 | |
| Science Park High School Newark Public School District · Magnet | 07–12 | 964 | 14.3:1 | |
| Technology High School Newark Public School District · Magnet | 09–12 | 662 | 15.2:1 | |
| University High School Newark Public School District · Magnet | 09–12 | 426 | 11.8:1 | |
| Weequahic High School Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 592 | 16.4:1 | |
| West Side High School Newark Public School District | 09–12 | 541 | 12.4:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Newark
9| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Regional School Office of Education Department of Children and Families · Alternative School | PK–12 | 0 | — | |
| Gateway Academy Charter School Gateway Academy Charter School · Charter | KG–12 | 796 | 30.6:1 | |
| Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Great Oaks Legacy Charter School · Charter | PK–12 | 2,169 | 33.9:1 | |
| Marion P. Thomas Charter School Marion P. Thomas Charter School · Charter | PK–12 | 1,410 | 24.3:1 | |
| Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design Newark Public School District | 09–09 | — | — | |
| NJ Regional Day School - Newark Newark Public School District · Special Education School | KG–12 | 123 | 7.7:1 | |
| North Star Academy Charter School North Star Academy Charter School · Charter | KG–12 | 6,714 | 35.4:1 | |
| Northern State Prison Office of Educational Services Department of Corrections · Alternative School | 09–11 | 0 | — | |
| TEAM Academy Charter School TEAM Academy Charter School · Charter | KG–12 | 6,406 | 22.1:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White4.4%
- Hispanic47%
- Black46.3%
- Asian0.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial1.3%
Enrollment-weighted across 81 Newark schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (63,650 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Newark
How many public schools are in Newark, NJ?
The current NCES directory lists 86 open public schools with a location address in Newark: 53 elementary, 1 middle, 23 high, 9 combined or other. Together they reported 63,650 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Newark?
Schools with an address in Newark belong to 21 education agencies, led by Newark Public School District (65 schools), Essex County Schools of Technology (2 schools), Discovery Charter School (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Newark?
East Side High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Newark, with 2,046 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Newark?
Yes. 15 of the 86 public schools in Newark are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Discovery Charter School, Gateway Academy Charter School, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Newark schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Newark public schools is 14.4:1, higher than the New Jersey school median of 11.2:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Newark guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby New Jersey cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All New Jersey cities