Outside the classroom

Twins and high school seniors Dermot and Aidan McMillan do classwork from their home.

Outside the classroom Outside the classroom

NJ home schooling grew amid pandemic

The number of home-schooled students in the state quadrupled in the 2020-21 academic year.

By Astrea Slezak, NJ Spotlight News

A teacher wearing a white lab coat and face mask points at a picture projected at the front of the class while students wearing face masks sit and watch.

Special education Special education

Newark parents of children with autism face barriers to care as cases spike in New Jersey

Researchers find racial and wealth disparities in diagnoses, and call for more research and services.

By Jessie Gomez

Students wearing backpacks and uniforms cross the street as a crossing guard holds a red stop sign to cars on the street.

School safety School safety

Newark schools’ crossing guard shortage prompts search for solutions

The Newark Police Department is working to fill nearly half of its crossing guard positions across public and charter schools amid growing concerns about student safety.

By Jessie Gomez

Aerial photo of the Pulaski Skyway bridge connecting Newark and Jersey City at sunset. The photo captures the bridge and surrounding buildings as the sunset is reflecting off of the Hackensack river.

Community & Wraparound Programs Community & Wraparound Programs

Newark water emergency prompts district to cancel summer school for thousands of students

A severe water main break led to families experiencing little to no water in their homes and schools to cancel services to students.

By Catherine Carrera and Jessie Gomez

Students sit behind desks in a classroom as they type on their laptops.

Community & Wraparound Programs Community & Wraparound Programs

Newark students get paid to learn and work in the metaverse this summer

Newark’s virtual reality program pays students to work in the metaverse, learn how to code, and develop their own realities as part of the city’s six-week summer youth jobs program.

By Jessie Gomez

Five women pose with a group of school-aged children at a Newark summer camp for autistic children.

Outside the classroom Outside the classroom

Newark summer camp helps autistic kids and their families connect

After another year of learning disruptions, families of students with autism say the summer program at Nassan’s Place has helped them form a community and receive much-needed services.

By Jessie Gomez

Members of the Newark Police department speak with a student outside of a large red-brick school front after dismissal, as other students wait outside of the school.

The Comeback The Comeback

‘You can’t keep my kids safe’: How violence shook a Newark high school, despite pleas for help

Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark has struggled with violence and low academic achievement for years, even as parents and employees pleaded for help.

By Patrick Wall

A Newark student receives assistance filling out the federal aid application Tuesday at Barringer High School.

Newark Public Schools Newark Public Schools

Money for college? Newark helps students tackle the complex federal aid form

Filling out the federal student aid application is challenging even for savvy parents. For those who aren’t native English speakers, the complicated form can be mind-boggling. Thanks to volunteers and an organized campaign in Newark, more families can now tackle the form.

By Devna Bose

Like a growing number of college students, JaniQua Guiste is enrolled in a math class that uses technology to catch up students who enter behind.

Ready or Not Ready or Not

As more colleges experiment with online remediation, some students flourish while many others fall behind

With so many under-prepared students getting trapped in basic skills classes, some colleges have experimented with online remediation — but the results have been mixed.

By Patrick Wall

Reginald Lewis, executive director of the Newark City of Learning Collaborative, announces the launch of the campaign on Thursday at City Hall.

College and career readiness College and career readiness

Newark launches citywide campaign to increase the number of students applying for federal college aid

More than half of Newark high school seniors completed their applications for federal student aid last year and raked in $45 million in scholarships, according to the district, but the city wants even more students to receive money for college.

By Devna Bose

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