School System in the Past
Our School
Historical Milestones
State Control Era
Modern day
100

What was the name of the first high-level school building built by Newark colonists in 1774, which was later burned down by British forces?

Newark Academy

100

American History High School is a specialized school that focuses its entire curriculum on history and what other civic topic?

Social Justice

100

In 1948, when Newark finally hired its first group of Black educators to teach students of all races, what restrictive job title were they initially forced to hold?

Permanent substitutes

100

In 1995, which government entity stepped in and officially seized direct operational control over Newark Public Schools?

The State of New Jersey

100

In what recent year did the state finally give full local control back to the Newark Board of Education?

2018

200

In 1813, the Newark Town Committee voted to raise $500 to pay for the schooling of what specific group of children?

Poor Children

200

Who is the current principal of American History High School?

Meg Murray

200

Way back in 1828, two Black brothers named Samuel and Abraham King marched into a Newark town meeting and successfully demanded city funding to open what specific historic landmark?

The first 'Colored School'

200

For exactly how many total years did the state government control Newark's school system before giving power back to the city?

22 years
200

Who made history in 2018 by becoming the first superintendent chosen by a locally controlled Newark school board in over two decades?

Superintendent Roger Leon

300

Built around 1700, Newark's very first designated public schoolhouse building was made of stone and located on what major downtown street?

Market Street

300

In what year did American History High School officially open its doors to students in Newark?

2007

300

Who made history in 1864 by becoming a teacher at the city’s segregated school, eventually serving as Newark's very first Black public school principal for 45 years?

James Baxter

300

Who did the state government appoint in July 1995 to serve as the very first State-Appointed District Superintendent of Newark?

Dr. Beverly Hall

300

In 2018, citizens voted to make Newark a "Type II" school district. This means that members of the school board are chosen in what way?

Elected by the Voters

400

Who was hired all the way back in 1676 to be Newark's very first town schoolmaster?

John Catlin

400
After the class period begins, how long does a student have to wait until they can ask for a pass to exit the classroom?

10 Minutes

400

Formed by Black teachers and activists in the late 1960s, what was the name of the powerful activist group that fought to promote Black educators and gain local control over schools in Newark neighborhoods?  

Organization of Negro Educators (or O.N.E.)

400

Newark was one of three major NJ school systems taken over by the state in the 1990s. Name one of the other two cities.

Jersey City or Paterson

400

Superintendent Roger León made history not just as a lifelong Newark resident, but as the first person of what specific ethnic background to lead the district?

Latino

500

Opened in 1844, what was the actual name of the very first public school building built using city tax money?

Third Ward School
500

American History High School was founded as part of a district plan to create what specific type of smaller, themed public schools?

Magnet Schools

500

In 1971, Black Power activists successfully pressured the Newark Board of Education to strip the name off of Robert Treat School and rename it after what famous global pan-African leader?

Marcus Garvey

500

Because Newark is historically classified as an "Abbott District" (now an SDA District), which level of government is legally required to pay 100% of the cost for school construction and repairs?

The State Government

500

The state of New Jersey ranks school district wealth from Group A (lowest socioeconomic status) to Group J (highest). Historically, what letter group has Newark been placed in?

Group A

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