Newark Unified School District history

Each had a male and female department. (Newark High School) 1838: First high school – for boys – located on 2nd floor of the schoolhouse of Bank Street.

1852: Approximate date of the establishment of the first public colored school in Newark, located in the basement of the African Presbyterian Church on Place Street.

1856: January 4th – First annual report of the city superintendent presented to the Board of Education.

1797: White school erected at Washington, Spruce and Clinton Avenue (Private) “…place under the jurisdiction of Trustees selected by the town meeting.” First Annual Report of the Board of Education, 1857.

1861: Co-education began in the primary grades.

Franklin Institute established by Professor J.J. Mapes, father of Mary Mapes Dodge, 1883, located between Plane and High Schools.

1885: First summer schools in the United States opened in Newark upon the recommendation of Superintendent Barringer.

1896: Drawing school on Academy opened as a formal school unit – Sara A. Fawcett Drawing Academy – 3 story building.

1899: Barringer High School building opened under the name Newark High School. (It was the only high school in the city). Wayland E. Stearns was principal.

1905: Alexander Street School erected; annexed from Vailsburg.

1911: Classes for foreigners begin in 9 schools.

1913: Newark’s first high school building (corner Linden and Washington Streets) became Girls’ Vocational School when Newark Normal School (in building High School opened, Johnson Avenue and Alpine Street.

1914: School for Defectives (Alyea) opened.

1917: Junior high school established in 3 grade schools: Madison, Robert Treat and Cleveland.

1918: Speech improvement classes established at four centers.

1924: Sight conservation classes established in 18th Avenue and Webster Schools.

1925: May 4, Branch Brook School (crippled) opened on Ridge Street.

Torn down 1931; Essex Market built on site.

1942: Wartime summer program of nursery schools begins (July 5 – August 28, 2 shift hours from 7 am – 5 PM) in 5 schools with 20 teachers and 1 supervisor.

1962: Franklin Titus succeeds Kennelly as Superintendent.

1965: The African Free School funded by Tittle I, was established on 3rd floor of Robert Treat School, by Le Roi Jones.

1968: Camden Street School (new building) opened.

1969: Springfield Avenue Community School at 18th and Springfield Avenues established.

1976: July 1st, Stanley Taylor appointed the City’s first Executive Superintendent of Schools (a state created position) for a 3-year term.

1977: Central Evening School moved to West Side High School (9/77). 1977: June 23rd Stanley Taylor removed, Alonzo Kittrels appointed acting superintendent.

1978: January, Alonzo Kittrels officially named to post of Executive Superintendent.

High closed (9/84). 1984: Following schools closed – Bergen, Mt.

1985: Education Center for Youth moved to West Kinney.

1988:9 – Vailsburg High School closed – students go to West Side High School.

1995: July 17 – Doctor Beverly Hall begins her duties as State-Appointed District Superintendent for the Newark Public Schools.

2001: School Building Project Advance as Overall Plan is approved.

2007: The old First Avenue School will be known as Elliot Street Annex (1 of 3 sites, since the school burned down). 2007: Newly renovated Untermann Field hosted first football game of the season.

2008: August 28 – Uniform Initiative will be implemented effective 12/1/08.