Press Releases

Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology Student Accepted into The Prestigious Quest Bridge College Prep Program

On April 19th, 2024 Nathan Balima (Class of 2025) received some very exciting news as he was selected to participate in the Quest Bridge College Prep Scholar Program. Congratulations to Nathan for this great accomplishment !!!!!

As a College Prep Scholar, students are recognized as strong potential applicants to the 52 college partners— a distinction that will help Nathan stand out during the admissions process.

Upon completion of the summer program, Nathan will automatically have access to the college match initiative senior year which will put him in position to get a FULL ride to any of the prestigious universities partnering with Quest Bridge. As such, this is a proud moment for the entire Newark School of Data Science Information Technology school family!

This shows that our school and students here at the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology can accomplish great outcomes!

To learn more about the Quest Bridge College Prep Scholar Program, click the link below!!

https://www.questbridge.org/college-partners

Race Car Drive Stevan McAleer Visits Data Science and Information Technology

Professional Race Car Driver Stevan McAleer Visits Data Science and Information Technology

Through a partnership with Energy Diamond Sustainability Ambassadors Club and Data Science and Information Technology, professional race car driver Stevan McAleer recently stopped by to discuss opportunities in the professional race car driving industry. He expressed a need for diversity in the field and encouraged students to consider careers as drivers, mechanics or the many other opportunities related to the field. He wrapped up the session by donating a go cart students will use to gain an understanding of the mechanical aspects of race car driving.

Student at Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology Honored by National Nonprofit for Top Performance in College Courses

National Education Equity Lab Honor Society recognizes students from Title I high schools who have excelled in professor-led college courses from the nation’s top colleges

NEWARK, NJ (JANUARY 31, 2023) – The Newark Board of Education today announced that a student at the Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology has been named to the Honor Society of the National Educational Equity Lab (Ed Equity Lab), an education justice nonprofit that works to bridge the gap between high school and college for students from low-income communities. Honorees are scholars whose academic performance was in the top 20 percent of all scholars nationwide taking dual credit Ed Equity Lab courses, from schools including: Howard University, Stanford University, Princeton University, Wesleyan University, Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, Cornell University, Brown University, Spelman College, Barnard/Columbia University and Arizona State University.

“These scholars’ success in rigorous college courses reinforces the fact that talent is evenly distributed, opportunity is not. We aim to change that. Talented students from under-resourced high schools belong in the best matched schools for them, including our nation’s top universities,” said Leslie Cornfeld, Founder and CEO of the National Education Equity Lab. “Together with our high school and university partners, we’re empowering thousands of talented students around the country to show what they’re capable of, and to build the skills, credentials and the confidence to succeed in higher education and beyond.”

The Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology partnered with the National Education Equity Lab to offer a college-level dual enrollment Intro to Computer Science course through Stanford University. The scholar, tenth grader David Sawacha, will be honored at a virtual ceremony today featuring university professors, high school teachers, district leaders, National Ed Equity Lab board and CEO Leslie Cornfeld.

“We are extremely proud of David whose dedication and commitment exude excellence and demonstrates a model of focused determination of the students in Newark Public Schools,” stated Superintendent Roger Leόn. “Now everyone knows what we have known all along – our students can and do excel at the very highest levels.”

Former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, an Ed Equity Lab board member, called this effort “game changing” for students. “Democratizing access to higher education in our nation has never been more critical. Efforts like this help us do just that.”

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The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676. The district currently enrolls over 38,000 students in 62 schools. After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the district has opened 8 new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming years.

The National Education Equity Lab is an education justice nonprofit that aims to democratize access to college by partnering with top colleges and universities to offer actual college credit-bearing courses in teacher-led Title 1 high school classrooms across the country. Participating students gain the opportunity to take actual college courses from top professors, with weekly live discussions led by university teaching fellows, co-taught by teachers at their high schools. Scholars earn widely transferable college credits and a transcript from the offering institution upon successful completion. Starting in 2019 with a single Harvard humanities course in 25 high schools, the Lab has now served more than 11,000 students in 90 cities across 32 states.

Novartis Establishes an Accelerated Learning Program for Students at Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology

Novartis is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world that uses innovative science and technology to address some of society’s most challenging health care issues. They have established the Novartis Newark Data Science Acceleration Fund (NNDSAF) to prepare students of the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology to acquire knowledge and skills to compete globally.

Starting this summer with the class of 2025, the NNDSAF will provide 50 students in each future graduating class with an opportunity to participate in a 5-week summer accelerated learning program. The summer course content includes Information Technology and Microsoft Imagine Academy fundamentals which lead toward industry-valued certifications.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have partners like Novartis, who are aligned with our vision to provide our students with access to knowledge and resources that prepare them to compete in the global digital arena,” said Superintendent León.

Overall, this program would impact approximately 250 students over a five-year period.

The additional summer sessions will be a key strategy to allow students to access additional courses and prepare themselves for these certification programs.

The Novartis Newark partnership lends itself to opportunities that are mutually beneficial to students and Novartis employees. The Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology will welcome Novartis associates who will provide workshops either during the summer or school year on topics that show the intersection between data science and public health. Other opportunities include field trips to the Novartis data centers, laboratories, and executive offices. By allowing students to have hands-on experiences, the idea of pursuing a degree in the field of data science becomes a reality.

“We are deeply excited about our partnership with Novartis and their support of our vision and mission to prepare our young people for the technology careers of the future,” stated Dr. Liana Summey, Principal of the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology. “This summer acceleration program is key to our commitment to inspiring the technology leaders and change agents of tomorrow.”

As a culminating event, there will be an end-of-summer showcase at the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology. It would be an event where Novartis employees are invited to engage with students about their profession so students are exposed to the many different areas of computer science.

Social and Emotional Learning Day 2022

-Students will engage in activities including social awareness, self regulation, relationship skills, goal setting and responsible decision making. These activities are designed to meet the social and emotional needs of our students while providing them with opportunities to engage one another in a positive manner.

Newark Celebrates Grand Opening of the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology

[Newark, NJ, September 29, 2021] Today, Superintendent León hosted the ceremony for the official opening of a second new school in Newark for the 2021-22 school year - the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology (NSDSIT). The school’s vision and mission is to provide students with industry-standard skills and prepare them for critical skills in the emerging, ever-evolving fields of technology and computer science. The school starts with an inaugural freshman class and will grow one grade level every year.

Superintendent León shared, “The opening of this school symbolizes the unveiling of what is defined in the 10-Year Strategic Plan, “The Next Decade 2020-30”. He added, “Courses like Data Science and Cybersecurity embody our understanding that preparing for a better tomorrow is what we do today; it is our responsibility for this school, in this city, right now.”

At today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Board Vice-President Flohisha Johnson welcomed students to their new home and shared ten points of success. One of which was “The best approach to success of anything, is a straight line”.

In close alignment with the Newark Board of Education, the Microsoft Corporation will be the school’s educational partner and is committed to preparing students to be technology leaders by leveraging their commitment to education and empowering every student to achieve in the technological fields. This partnership will engage Microsoft’s professional and organizational capacities by providing curricular support, professional development for educators, and inclusive online environments through Microsoft platforms. Throughout this partnership, students will have the opportunity to earn industry-standard certifications that supplement the academic program and prepare them for an array of careers in the data science and information technology fields.

“We are in an exciting time of change,” said Renata Ruiz, the Modern Workplace Specialist at Microsoft. “With such a tremendous shift in culture comes a pivotal moment in education. Our educational mission is to empower every student on the planet to achieve more.”

Keeping in line with the school’s approach to cybersecurity – NSDSIT has also entered into a business partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The partnership will leverage its expertise to expose students to critical and unique career opportunities in administration, law enforcement, and technology. Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s - New Jersey Division Gibson said, “We have a long-standing relationship with the Newark Board of Education and look forward to this new relationship at the NSDSIT. This is a great opportunity to work with the students to show them how their education in data science and information technology will be applicable in a variety of career paths within DEA and other law enforcement components. This partnership is also a great way to forge a trusting relationship between students and law enforcement, and we will work to get the next generation of students excited about making a difference in this world and help them to achieve their goals.”

“Our partnership with the Microsoft Corporation and the DEA is an exciting component of our strategy to prepare our young people for the careers of the future, living up to our mission of preparing technology leaders who are change agents for all communities,” stated Dr. Liana Summey, Principal of the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology.

In addition to NSDSIT’s Microsoft and the DEA partnerships, the school’s mentoring program will be supported by the Montclair State University Alumni Chapter of Groove Phi Groove Fraternity.

Joining Superintendent León and Principal Summey were Board Vice-Presidents Johnson and Santana, Board Members Anderson and Council, Dr. Brown of the Mayor’s Office, Deputy Johnson, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ortiz, members of Groove Phi Groove Fraternity, and others.

For more information about the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology, please refer to: https://newark.apppresser.com/data-science/