Newark Public School District is a public school district based in Newark, New Jersey, serving 44,199 students in 64 schools. By enrollment it ranks #1 of the 303 New Jersey districts with 1,000 or more students, larger than about 100% of them. Its schools average 691 students each, more than the New Jersey median of 563. We've matched 9 news stories to the district.
In the News
9 stories
- Newark schools says a state audit found ‘nothing.’ The auditors flagged the Criminal Justice division.
Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León said in a statement that the district passed a state audit released Oct. 1 with "flying colors," even though the report identified several issues.
- Newark students head back to class as district rolls out cellphone ban
A student poses for a back-to-school photo at Elliot Street School on Tues., Sept. 8, 2026 in Newark.
- How Whitney Houston’s funeral director got a $700,000 deal with Newark schools to teach food service
The Newark Board of Education unanimously approved a $700,000 contract for local funeral director Carolyn Whigham to train students in hotel and food-service business leadership.
- Newark’s chronic absenteeism rate drops to 8.5%. Here’s what district leaders say is working.
Newark Public Schools’ chronic absenteeism rate is the lowest in district history.
- Back-to-school: 6 things to watch in Newark Public Schools this year
New board members and school leaders, delayed state test scores, and aging buildings are among the developments to watch this upcoming school year.
- Newark Public Schools shuffles leadership districtwide with 9 new principals set to start this fall
A new class of principals, directors, and assistant superintendents will lead Newark’s public schools this upcoming school year.
- Newark Public Schools teachers get creative as wildfire smoke cancels outdoor summer programs
Teachers scrambled to fill the gap by creating games to fit in small gym spaces and falling back on “good old school stuff.”
- Randi Weingarten said Newark Public Schools visit confirmed her fears about AI in the classroom
Just a day after she visited a Newark school, Weingarten called for classroom screen time limits and a ban on student-facing AI in elementary schools.
- Newark Public Schools schedules graduations at same time, forcing parents to make an impossible decision
Weequahic High School celebrates the class of 2026 on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Newark, N.J.
| District | Students | Schools | Students / school | Size rank in state | Stories |
|---|
| Newark Public School District Newark, NJ | 44,199 | 64 | 691 | #1 | 9 |
| Elizabeth Public Schools Elizabeth, NJ | 28,454 | 37 | 769 | #2 | 0 |
| Jersey City Public Schools Jersey City, NJ | 25,951 | 39 | 665 | #3 | 2 |
| Paterson Public School District Paterson, NJ | 24,291 | 43 | 565 | #4 | 0 |
| Edison Township School District Edison, NJ | 17,032 | 19 | 896 | #5 | 0 |
| Trenton Public School District Trenton, NJ | 15,964 | 25 | 639 | #6 | 0 |
| Toms River Regional School District Toms River, NJ | 14,454 | 18 | 803 | #7 | 0 |
Similar-Size Districts Nationally
| District | Students | Schools | Students / school | Size rank in state | Stories |
|---|
| Newark Public School District Newark, NJ | 44,199 | 64 | 691 | #1 | 9 |
| San Bernardino City Unified San Bernardino, CA | 44,192 | 76 | 581 | #8 | 0 |
| San Antonio ISD San Antonio, TX | 44,047 | 86 | 512 | #24 | 0 |
| Nebo District Spanish Fork, UT | 43,696 | 49 | 892 | #5 | 0 |
| Clovis Unified Clovis, CA | 43,669 | 51 | 856 | #9 | 2 |
| Portland Public Schools Portland, OR | 43,357 | 86 | 504 | #1 | 0 |
| Kern High Bakersfield, CA | 43,237 | 25 | 1,729 | #10 | 0 |
Peers are the districts closest in enrollment. Enrollment, school counts and phone numbers are from the NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25. Spending and staffing comparisons are coming.
