Families exploring 2016-2017 school year options have until February 29th to complete Newark Enrolls application

[Newark, NJ – January 30, 2016] – This Saturday, more than 1,000 people attended the Newark Enrolls School Fair hosted by Newark Public Schools (NPS) at Central High School. Attendees learned more about their school options and received assistance in the Newark Enrolls application process. Newark families with students in grades prekindergarten through 12 who are exploring school options for the 2016-2017 school year have until Monday, February 29 to complete a Newark Enrolls application.

“It is encouraging to see families come out to learn more about the great education that the City of Newark has to offer our young people,” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of Newark Public Schools. “We believe it is crucial for parents to make well-informed decisions about their child’s academic future. By attending events like this, families are one step closer to ensuring their children are matched with a school that best meets their needs.”

Superintendent Cerf, School Advisory Board Chair Ariagna Perello and Sarah Friedland, director of the 2013 award-winning documentary The Rink about Branch Brook’s roller rink park, welcomed and encouraged families to learn about their school options in Newark. Chairperson Perello and Friedland also served as panelists to judge a school spirit video contest and awarded University Heights Charter School (1st), Elliott Street (2nd) and Belmont Runyon (3rd) as the School Spirit video winners. East Side High School (1st), Great Oaks Charter School (2nd) and Arts High School (3rd) received School Spirit videos for the high school portion of the competition. Finally, East Side High School and Ann Street School were awarded the People’s Choice award winners, based on the number YouTube likes their video received since December 2015. Click here to view the school spirit video contest winners.

“When my collaborator, Ryan Joseph, and I made The Rink, our documentary about Newark’s Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center, we were interested in showing a place where people come together to build a community that is creative and positive. It was such a joy to watch that exact thing happen in all of the Newark school spirit videos,” said Sarah Friedland. “The love these students have for their schools and the high level of creative and professional work that went into these videos is impressive and moving.”

All attendees received onsite support in the application process. Families who were unable to attend the fair and still have to apply may submit their application at www.newarkenrolls.org or complete an application in person at any district or participating charter school as well as at the NPS Central Office located at 2 Cedar Street prior to the February 29 deadline.

“The district is doing more than ever to ensure families have the option to exercise choice in their child’s education,” said executive director of enrollment, Gabrielle Ramos-Solomon. “We feel it is extremely important to make sure all parents are well informed and take the necessary steps to get their child in a school that is right for them.”

As a reminder, parents should complete a Newark Enrolls application if:

  • Their child is in the last grade in their current school, including those:
    • In grade 8 of all K through 8 schools
    • In grade 6 of Harriet Tubman School
    • In grade 4 of Benjamin Franklin, Branch Book, Fourteenth Avenue, Newark Educators’ Community Charter, Roberto Clemente, Roseville Community
    • In Pre-K4 of the Early Childhood Schools (Berliner, Gladys Hillman Jones, South, West) and all community-based Pre-K4 providers
  • Their child will be enrolling in public school for the first time in fall 2016, including:
    • New Pre-K students
    • New Kindergarten students
  • Their child wants to attend a new school for fall 2016 that better fits his or her needs

If children would like to remain in their current school next fall, parents do not need to submit an application in the enrollment process.

Families who submit applications by February 29, 2016 for a new school will receive their match letters in mid-April 2016. The match letter will inform families of their school placement for the fall and provide families with next steps to register and confirm their placement.

For more information please visit www.newarkenrolls.org.