It’s a Friday morning in late August—just weeks from the beginning of the new school year—but Dominique Lee is cool and calm as he sits across a table at BRICK Academy headquarters and speaks in quiet, measured tones.
Charter Schools
Newark Community Unites to Strengthen One Newark Plan
Newark Public Schools announces final refinements to One Newark Plan
» One Newark Plan Memo [PDF]
» One Newark Plan FAQs [PDF]
[Newark, NJ – February 7, 2014] – Concluding months of extensive outreach that has included many of the city’s civic leaders, community advocates, educators, local clergy, and families across public charter and district schools, Newark Public Schools (NPS) announced refinements to One Newark initiatives. Today’s announcements further the community-wide plan to ensure all students are in excellent schools and thriving communities and are on the path to excel in college and 21st century careers. Last December, under One Newark, NPS announced its ambitious goal to ensure 100 excellent schools in Newark, through the values of Excellence, Equity, and Efficiency.
“Our poorest neighborhoods, disproportionately African American, contain some of the lowest-performing public schools in the country and have for a long time,” said Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson. “A child in the South or West ward is virtually guaranteed to be in an elementary school where only 30 percent of students can read – or in a high school with a graduation rate below 30 percent that was built for 1500 students with only 500 kids enrolled. This is simply unacceptable. Good schools are in high demand — over 5,800 families (and counting) completed an on-line application through One Newark Enrolls in just a few weeks (a new national standard). If we bring those good schools to the neighborhoods with the greatest need, we could revive schools and communities.”
“After extensive outreach, listening to families, and discussions with partners, elected officials, and other stakeholders we are pleased to announce some important updates and refinements to the One Newark plan,” said Ruben Roberts, Executive Director of Community Affairs and Community Engagement. “As part of our commitment to students and adults, we worked with partners to make adjustments in the charter launches and plans to revive our comprehensive high schools.”
- Charter Launches: We will transform 4 schools previously operated as district schools into charter-operated/partner-operated schools. Many partners have a stronger track record of success compared to NPS – even when you compare across subgroups. This plan does not add new charter seats – it redirects charter growth plans to neighborhoods demanding innovation. Currently, approximately 8,000 students are in public charter schools and 10,000 families are on waiting lists. In the South ward alone, 40% of families are applying for charters. As one example, many of families at Bragaw Avenue, which will become a TEAM Charter Launch, are on TEAM’s school enrollment waiting list. Important details about the charter launches are available at www.onewark.org.
- Comprehensive high schools: We must unite to address declining enrollment. Current data suggests that NPS will lose 2,000 out of 8,000 high school seats by 2016. Weequahic, West Side and Shabazz were built to serve 1,500 to 2,000 students each. Today, these schools collectively serve approximately 1,500 students. All trends indicate they will shrink to 400 students each next year. In the absence of bold solutions, two or three of our comprehensive high schools would have to close. We believe we must introduce innovative and attractive options that serve all students and fill buildings up to preserve these historic institutions. Important details about the comprehensive high schools are available at www.onewark.org.
- Learners in need of a second chance and NPS central headquarters: Each year, NPS spends over $4M in rent downtown. Simultaneously, the central office has engaged in conversations about being in closer proximity to our students. Specifically, we want to ensure we are supporting our students with the most needs. Therefore in fall 2014, NPS will move to the building that is currently Newark Vocational High School and share a campus with adults and young people in need of the greatest academic support. NPS Central will serve as the enrollment hub and reengagement center for disconnected youth and adult learners, the site for young people in need of short-term behavioral supports, the site for work-force and academic services for adults, and NPS’ central office. Important details about our commitment to learners in need of a second chance are available at www.onewark.org.
“I want my grandchildren to attend a really good school, and as it relates to Bragaw Avenue School, the One Newark Plan will preserve neighborhood schools as a viable option,” stated Iris Torres, Parent-Teacher Organization President at Bragaw Elementary School.
“I appreciated hearing first hand, the contingencies and having the needs of our students, parents and our community addressed,” stated Eagle Academy parent, Keisha King. “As we continue to push forward in developing and creating a harmonious relationship, we are offering that same spirit of appreciation to NPS and are looking forward to working with the district.”
“BRICK looks forward to strengthening the partnership with NPS to meet the academic and social emotional needs of the children in the South Ward,” said Dominique Lee, Founder and Board Chair of B.R.I.C.K. Academy
“It’s about the district and the charter sector working together to ensure every child in Newark has access to a high-quality school, and the plans announced today represent a big, bold step in the right direction,” stated Mashea Ashton, C.E.O. of Newark Charter School Fund
“This important collaboration between the public charter school sector and the district will advance our shared commitment to providing every student access to a quality public school. Working together we have an opportunity to increase choice for all families in Newark,” said Ken Schultz, Executive Director of Newark Legacy.
“We started TEAM Charter Schools on Custer Avenue in the South Ward almost twelve years ago, and now have three schools in the South. We are excited to expand our commitment to the South Ward by offering the students of Bragaw Avenue School the opportunity to attend TEAM. And we are grateful to have been included in a plan that will increase the number of high quality school options for families in the South Ward and throughout all of Newark,” stated Ryan Hill, C.E.O., TEAM Charter Schools
“We look forward to working in partnership with the district to ensure that more students have access to a great public-school education,” said Julie Jackson, managing director of Uncommon Newark/Elementary Schools. “North Star has been committed to Newark families since our first school opened here in 1997 and we look forward to the opportunity to serve even more Newark students.”
“We all know that too many young people have dropped out of school in Newark — becoming permanently disconnected from society. This One Newark strategy begins to open a door for thousands of the City’s dropouts who have been invisible for too long,” stated Reginald Lewis, Executive Director of The Chad School Foundation, Inc.
“As the Principal, I talk with parents, students and the Weequahic alumni association frequently,” stated Weequahic High School Principal, Faheem Ellis. “Something that our Weequahic parents, the Weequahic alumni association, and I agree on is that we need to attract and keep students with programming that will make our kids ready for college and their future careers. The vision for Weequahic will be aligned to the district’s mission and will include the input and feedback from our school community.”
In addition to the One Newark details released today, a significant anchor of the One Newark plan is its universal enrollment system, which empowers all Newark families with the ability to choose their own schools across the district. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of yesterday’s data showing that nearly 5,800 families have made school selections thus far for school year 2014-15, far exceeding similar initiatives in cities such as Denver and New Orleans. Because of the overwhelming demand and interest, NPS has extended the due date for One Newark Enrolls to February 28, 2014. Families may continue to submit an application online at www.newarkenrolls.org or by filling out a paper application that can be obtained from and submitted to any district school, participating charter school or the NPS Central Office located at 2 Cedar Street.
Newark Public Schools and Newark Charter Community Unite to Provide Equity to All Newark Families in the 2014 School Year
One Newark Enrolls to Provide Strongest Universal Enrollment Plan in the United States
Announcement Culminates Months of Collaboration Between NPS, the Newark Community and Newark Charters
[December 10, 2013 – Newark, New Jersey] Newark Public Schools (NPS) and sixteen of Newark’s twenty-one charters announced today an historic agreement creating a citywide enrollment system that includes 80.3% of charter seats. This new system will provide all Newark families the ability to access the city’s best district and charter schools.One Newark vision:All students in Newark are in excellent schools in thriving communities and are on the path to excel in college and 21st century careers. Over the last few months, One Newark initiatives – like Universal Enrollment — have brought together leaders, community advocates, educators, local clergy, and friends across public charter and district schools. Together, we’ve made a promise to Newark families: we must embrace a bold, unified, city-wide plan to build and support 100 excellent schools and ensure equitable access for all students.
One Newark Enrolls will create the strongest universal enrollment system in the nation, specifically creating a preference structure that ensures high need students gain access to high performing schools, while also prioritizing equity, transparency, and access for all students in the City. Today’s announcement culminates months of collaboration between NPS and Newark charters to create a new,customized enrollment process that will improve the experience for families. Specifically,NPS officials conducted nearly 50 one-on-one meetings with charters, sought feedback from Newark’s School Advisory Board and city community leaders,attended board meetings at 10 charter schools, and co-hosted monthly town halls in partnership with the Newark Charter School Fund. NPS also organized various informational calls, forums and meetings to learn from other cities that embarked on a similar path, including New Orleans, Denver and now Washington, D.C. These engagement efforts are continuing as NPS – serving in the role of system administrator – transitions to implementation.
This new enrollment structure will provide all families:
- A single, fair, user-friendly application that will break down barriers so all families have the opportunity to apply to high quality schools of their choice.
- The ability to rank schools that they believe will best serve their own children.
- Clear and consistent information about all participating schools in Newark through events, marketing materials, and open houses on a shared citywide timeline.
- A centralized way to voice concerns and receive support to ensure their children secure enrollment in a school that meets their needs
Under One Newark Enrolls,every student will have the ability to change schools, though those who are content with their current school will remain there. The system will focus on grades where students enter or change schools: Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 5 and Grade 8. In addition to all of Newark Public Schools, the following charters have agreed to participate: TEAM Charter School, Uncommon/North Star Academy, Merit Preparatory Charter School of Newark, Visions Academy Charter High School, Newark Prep Charter School, Newark Legacy Charter School, Lady Liberty Academy Charter School, Great Oaks Charter School, People’s Preparatory Charter School, Greater Newark Charter School, University Heights Charter School, Roseville Community Charter School, Philip’s Academy, Paulo Freire, Marion P. Thomas Charter School, and Newark Educators’ Community Charter School.
“At its core this amazing achievement represents a very simply goal – to ensure that all students in Newark can attend an excellent school,” stated Newark Public Schools Superintendent Cami Anderson. “Together, public and charter school leaders have agreed to something quite profound – to move beyond individual priorities and achieve a true coalition to fight for equity and excellence for all of Newark’s families.”
“The collaboration across district and charter schools to create a universal enrollment plan for city students is an essential priority of One Newark,” stated the CEO of Newark Charter Fund Mashea Ashton. “We congratulate and thank the 16 public charter schools that have signed on to universal enrollment – reaffirming their commitment to transparency, equity, and access. We look forward to supporting collaboration between the entire public charter school sector and the district to address the questions that remain and continue to shape a universal enrollment plan. Through universal enrollment, we’re making sure public charters chools are a part of the solution to provide every student in Newark access to a quality public school.”
“TEAM Schools is thrilled to participate in the Universal Enrollment System, as it will increase opportunities and choices for all kids in Newark, regardless of their zip code or a family’s economic circumstances,” stated Founder and CEO of TEAM Schools, Ryan Hill. “All families deserve to be able to choose the school their children attend, and this both opens new doors and streamlines the enrollment process to make abetter, fairer, and easier process for everyone. TEAM has long been committed to serving the kids who need us most, and this will further our efforts – and the efforts of all schools in Newark – to do so.”
“The Universal Enrollment proposed by the Newark Public Schools Superintendent’s office is a major step towards equity, convenience, and equal access,” stated Ronald Slaughter, pastor of Saint James AME Church, which runs Visions. “The most significant contribution of the Universal Enrollment Program is in the area of equity. This program for the first time will level the field of education in the city of Newark. Children with disabilities will no longer be overlooked but will receive the same quality education as others. Schools will no longer have the option of taking what they want and leaving others to suffer. Universal Enrollment ensures that every student is a “priority” and every student is entitled to maximize their God given potential. Universal Enrollment will change the landscape of education in the city of Newark.”
“We are looking forward to helping to make sure Newark families have choices and equal access to schools,” said Paul Bambrick-Santoyo, Managing Director of Uncommon Schools Newark, which is composed of nine North Star Academy schools serving over 2,600 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. “We are grateful for Superintendent Anderson’s leadership in running a thoughtful and comprehensive process to develop an enrollment system that is fair, transparent, reliable, and provides priority for Newark’s highest need students.”
“We are investing a great deal of time and energy in ensuring that all our charter partners are fully aware and informed of everything it takes to implement this system and make it a great experience for Newark students,” said Gabrielle Wyatt, Executive Director of Strategy – Office of Strategy and Innovation at Newark Public School District. “This means every detail counts, and we are relying on our charter partners’ experience and feedback to continuously improve the execution, and therefore family experience in real-time. I think we all, as partners,are committed to making this successful because it means greater access to excellent schools for all kids, and at the end of the day, that’s what we all really care about.”
With the adoption of OneNewark Enrolls, NPS will now provide charters with ongoing operational support through the creation of user manuals and toolkits, informational materials, trainings, office hour phone conferences, and webinars for those charters that have opted in, as well as training for those charters that have not opted into the system to ensure that their students who will have to use this system also have a positive enrollment experience.
Stage I –
One Newark Enrolls: Now – Mid January
School Options
- Parents will determine whether their student needs a new school and learn about the participating schools, attend School Fairs, visit schools during a normal school day, and talk to their child about new school options.
Stage II –
One Newark Enrolls: Beginning January 11, 2014
Apply for Enrollment
- Parents will choose up to 8 schools that they would like their child to attend and ranking schools accordingly. They will fill out the common application at home or complete and submit an application at any participating school.
Stage III –
One Newark Enrolls: April 2014
Receive Your School Match
- Parents will receive a letter matching their child to one school in April 2014. All students are expected to attend their matched school for the 2014-2015 school year.