Distinguished Alumni
250th Celebrations
NA History Potpourri
Heads of School
Int. Dinner
Fun Facts
More Fun Facts
100
This Newark Academy alum, who delivered this year's Convocation address, also won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.
Who is Salamishah Tillet?
100
Newark Academy kicked off its 250th anniversary in grand fashion during a celebration on Wednesday, October 4, at this venue across the street from NA's first home in Harriet Tubman Square.
What is the Newark Museum (of Art)?
100
Described by the musical Hamilton as "America's favorite fighting Frenchman," this Revolutionary War hero—who fought alongside Generals Washington and Rochambeau—visited Newark Academy when he returned to the United States in 1825.
Who is the (Marquis de) Lafayette? [Bonus points if you know his full name: Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette]
100
This former Head of School was the first woman to hold the position in Newark Academy's history.
Who is Elizabeth "Penney" Riegelman?
100
Newark Academy's Early Years were tumultuous at best. From 1792 to 1859, the school had 29 headmasters, including one who served twice--meaning, on average, if a student stayed at the academy for six years, they would have seen ____ changes in the school administration in their school career.
2-3
100
Wilson Farrand graduated from Newark Academy and would later return to serve as headmaster. He was notably involved in college admissions reform as a founding member of the ___, which is now one of the biggest non-profits involved in most students’ college journeys.
College Board
100
Newark Academy has been home to many sports teams, but one stands out. This team never successfully moved to the Livingston campus, yet a facility for this sport was built (and still exists) in the basement of the building. This sport is known to be particularly dangerous because of its use of active weaponry.
Rifle team
200
For his work in Behavioral Economics, Richard Thaler '63 won this prestigious award (named after a Swedish chemist, engineer, and industrialist most commonly known for inventing dynamite).
What is the Nobel Prize?
200
Newark Academy's culminating event for its 250th anniversary is scheduled for this (Star Wars-affiliated) date in the Spring.
What is May the 4th (2024)?
200
This location holds the distinction as being the longest-tenured spot of any of the five Newark Academy locations at over 60 years!
What is the third location (at High [now MLK Blvd.], William, and Shipman Streets)?
200
Although often credited as "the Founder" of Newark Academy, this Revolutionary Reverend was one of NA's first group of 14 governors and the second Head of School.
Who is the Rev. Alexander MacWhorter?
200
One of the founders of the international dinner, Dr. Teresa Anta San Pedro, is the mother of current director of Immersion, Spanish teacher, and alumna, ____ ('93).
Who is Maria Teresa McNeilly-Anta?
200
Wilson Farrand, one of the longest serving headmasters of Newark Academy, was known to have been involved in the development of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, which is more commonly known as the ___.
SAT
200
Newark Academy's campus famously served as the barracks in which 18th century war?
Revolutionary War
300
Newark Academy alum Franklin Murphy, who served as Governor of New Jersey from 1902-1905, left NA at only 16 years old in order to serve in this war.
What is the Civil War?
300
During Newark Academy's annual Field Trip Day, students from this grade level were led on walking tours of Newark, making them the first NA students to see the newly-dedicated plaque in Tubman Square.
Who are the Juniors (the Class of 2025)?
300
Over his career, Burt Shevelove '33 was nominated for 5 Tony Awards, winning 2 for this 1962 Stephen Sondheim-scored musical comedy set on a street in Rome.
What is A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum?
300
Though multiple Heads of School share a surname with each other, the most famous relatives to hold the position were this father-and-son duo who served as Heads for a combined total of 66 years.
Who are Drs. Samuel and Wilson Farrand?
300
The international dinner was originally held in this room which can still be seen at the front of the school and adjacent to the Admissions office.
Okin Room
300
In 1793, the school would find an innovative way to fund the construction of its second campus. It sold 5,000 tickets for $20,000 using this method!
Lottery
300
Newark Academy created a military regiment due to the breakout of this 19th century war where Abraham Lincoln served as president.
Civil War
400
Samuel Coursen '45, who died in the Korean War saving the life of a fellow soldier, posthumously received this award—the highest decoration awarded by the United States Armed Forces.
What is the Medal of Honor?
400
Newark Academy was officially honored on September 25 for its "dedication to our community and for inspiring a lifelong love of learning for their students for two and a half centuries" by this member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District.
Who is Representative Mikie Sherrill?
400
Philip Whelpley was the youngest teacher in Newark Academy history and was related to the headmaster Rev. Samuel Whelpley. How old was he? (Hint--they would have been young enough to be in high school today).
15
400
When Newark Academy "sought a role model and leader who projects high integrity, is a keen listener, and a proven consensus-builder" to serve as NA's Head of School, they turned to this man who served as the Resident Director of the School Year Abroad of Rennes, France.
Who is (the handsome, articulate, suave, and stylish) Don Austin?
400
The first year of the International Dinner at Newark Academy.
What is 1992?
It was founded by former teacher Dr. Teresa Anta San Pedro and the former school counselor Susan Marcus.
400
Just after moving out to Newark, the school did not have enough money to seed its property with grass. In an innovative deal with the landscaper, the student would pick up all the debris of the campus in exchange for a reduced quote. One teacher lost his shoe that day. He would receive a shoe as a gift for 25 years of service at Newark Academy. He’s also one of the longest serving faculty in NA history, having taught from 1959-2014.
Blackie Parlin
400
Newark Academy is the second oldest school in the state that still exists. Which is the first?
Rutgers Prep
500
Alumnus William E. Simon '46 served as the former secretary of this department of the US government who is in charge of the country's financial policy.
Secretary of the Treasury
500
While this is Newark Academy’s 250th anniversary, the class of 2024 is not Newark Academy’s 250th graduating class. Which class will be? (Note: answers within two years of the correct answer will be accepted).
The class of 2038 (or class of 2028).
500
Complete the NA Board Chair list:
____ Tompkins ‘31, 1962-1969
____ D. Hardin ‘44, 1969-1973
____ T. Wachenfield ‘44, 1973-1979
____ G. OHaus ‘43, 1979-1983
Robert Del Tufo ‘51, 1983-1987
____ E. Simon ‘46, 1987-1990
Hint: they all have the same common American name. Other people with this name include ____ Taft, the American President, and John ____, the Stars Wars music composer.
William
500
Newark Academy’s predecessor school was started in 1740 by this man, a pastor in Newark. More famously, he was a head of The College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). His son (who bears his name) starred as the main villain in Hamilton as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.
Aaron Burr Sr.
500
The founders of international dinner
Dr. Teresa Anta San Pedro and Susan Marcus
500
Alexander MacWhorter is known as the school’s founder, but is less commonly known to have been good friends with our country’s founder, ____.
George Washington
500
Newark Academy considered merging with multiple schools during the 20th century, such as proposed mergers with the Kent Place School in Summit and the Beard School (which would merge with another academy to form Morristown Beard). One particularly serious consideration was a merger with this school in Montclair. (Hint, this academy went on to become one of NA's biggest sports rival)
Kimberly Academy
600
Max Farrand, a 19th century graduate of Newark Academy and brother to Wilson Farrand, was an American historian specializing in the US constitution. He taught at universities like Yale, Cornell, and Stanford. Most importantly, he was instrumental in establishing ____ Library in the LA area, which is known for its collections on the nation's founders.
Huntington Library
600
This man graduated from Newark Academy in 1823 and returned to serve as the chair NA's board of trustees from 1854 to 1900, making him the man with the longest tenure as board chair in NA history. He is also the source of our oldest surviving personal account of NA. Despite this man's instrumental role in Newark Academy's present success, he was mostly forgotten about. He shares a last name with a private school and township in Mercer county.
Samuel Pennington
600
NA did not always start in 6th grade. In fact, Newark Academy used to start in 1st grade during the 1960s. In its move out of Newark, the school would remove the lower grades until, by 1978, NA would only teach grades __ through 12. One of the removed grades would later be re-added.
7th grade. The sixth grade would be re-added later.
600
While Alexander MacWhorter is credited as NA's founder, he was not the school's first headmaster. His name was ____, a loyalist living in Newark woul would flee too New York during the Revolutionary War.
William Haddon
600
Under Clinton Zerweck, Newark Academy used to allow students partake in this pastime during school hours which was later revealed to be extremely harmful for human health. Many today have forgone this pastime for vaping.
Smoking
600
At certain points, NA had two headmasters instead of one, mostly from 1809-1857 when the school usually had separate heads for its boys and girls divisions. If headmasters of the female division are counted as heads of school, then the first female head of school was actually Mrs. Brown, who started her tenure in ___ year.
1819-1824.
600
Newark Academy's second campus cornerstone can be found on the Livingston Campus in this location. It was re-deiscovered during the campus' demolition in the late 1850s.
Front Entrance.