Families who have not yet submitted an application for the 2016-2017 school year have until February 29th to apply for a new school in the fall

[Newark, NJ – February 26, 2016] – Families interested in exploring school options for the 2016-2017 school year must complete the Newark Enrolls application online or in person at any district or participating charter school or at the Newark Public School’s (NPS) Family Support Center located at 301 W. Kinney Street prior to the Monday, February 29 deadline. The online application will close at 11:59pm on the 29th, and the Family Support Center will have extended hours on Monday from 5-7 pm to assist those who need last minute support.

“The district is committed to creating a level playing field for our students, and Newark Enrolls ensures that all of our young people have access to the best education Newark has to offer,” said Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf of Newark Public Schools. “We are doing everything we can to reach out to as many families as possible, and we are confident that our efforts will be helpful as families consider what’s important for their child’s educational success.”

NPS has made a concerted effort since enrollment opened on December 2015 to reach out to as many families as possible through school fairs, social media and community engagement. Earlier this month, more than 1,000 people attended the Newark Enrolls School Fair hosted by NPS at Central High School where attendees learned more about their school options and received assistance in the Newark Enrolls application process. In addition, 37,000 families received messages through the district’s communication system, Blackboard Connect. Text messages were also sent about the enrollment deadline to all parents who use the district’s Remind App.

“Applications are on track for the 2016-2017 school year, and it has been exciting to see so many families take a proactive role in their child’s education,” said Executive Director of Enrollment, Gabrielle Ramos-Solomon. “We want to make sure all families take advantage of the great school choices that are available to them and will be sending out reminder notices and calls in the coming days to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate in Newark Enrolls and get their child placed in a school that is right for them.”

In addition to reminding parents about enrollment options across the city, the district has also intensified efforts in the South Ward particularly through school fairs, Blackboard Connect messages and neighborhood canvassing to make sure community members are aware of the five Newark schools that will be participating in the South Ward Community Schools Initiative (SWCSI). SWCSI is an initiative that will help provide educational and wrap-around support services to some of the city’s highest need students. The five schools selected for the project are Malcolm X Shabazz High School, BRICK Avon Academy, Belmont Runyon Elementary School, Louise A Spencer Elementary School, and Peshine Avenue School.

If families are interested in applying to these community schools, there are several easy options available:

  1. If families have not yet submitted an application online, they can simply rank a community school as their first preference when they do.
  2. If families have already submitted and want to change their enrollment selection based on this new information, they are able to do so by accessing their account online up until the deadline.
  3. If a family in the South Ward community decides after the deadline that they would like to attend a community school, they can visit the family support center located at 301 W. Kinney Street to get more information about next steps.

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 their needs

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

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 with their school.

For more information please visit www.newarkenrolls.org.