Newark Public Schools Announces Key Dates For Student Enrollment

Press release from the Newark Board of Education:

NEWARK, N.J. – Newark Public Schools has announced the key dates for Newark Enrolls 2026-2027, the district’s universal enrollment process that helps Newark families explore educational opportunities and select schools that best meet their children’s interests, talents, and academic goals.

The enrollment season will begin with the All Schools Fair on Saturday, October 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Newark Vocational High School, 301 West Kinney Street. Families will have an opportunity to meet representatives from schools across the District, every early childhood provider to enroll 3- and 4-year-olds, and New Horizons Community Charter School. At the annual fair, families will be able to learn about academic programs and pathways, and receive guidance on completing the Newark Enrolls application.

“Since 2018, as enrollments decreased in districts throughout the nation, Newark Public Schools’ enrollment has increased. The primary contributors to that increase are the early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school opportunities being afforded to every student in every classroom in every school, across all five wards,” said Superintendent León. “Newark Enrolls provides families with the information and support needed to make an informed decision about their child’s education. Our schools offer an extraordinary range of academic programs, career pathways, arts opportunities, athletic programs, and student experiences. We encourage families to begin exploring those options early and take advantage of the resources available throughout the enrollment process.”

Through Newark Enrolls, every pre-K 4 student in Newark applied to kindergarten in 2025-2026 for this school year. By December 31, 2025, nearly every eighth grader in the city had applied for high school.

“Choosing a school is an important decision for every family,” said Hasani K. Council, President of the Newark Board of Education. “The All Schools Fair and the Newark Enrolls process allow parents and students to speak directly with school representatives, ask questions, and discover the many excellent programs available throughout Newark Public Schools.”

This year, the Newark Enrolls application timelines are:

• October 24, 2026: All Schools Fair. Application window opens.
  The schools will provide application support to families from October through January.
• January 15, 2027: Application window closes
• March 22, 2027: Match letters released
  The District notifies families of where their children have been matched.
• April 9, 2027: Registration deadline

Open Houses

Newark Public Schools encourages students and families to attend Open Houses at schools to learn about schools’ programs and offerings, and experience each school’s atmosphere and culture. Open Houses are generally held during the fall and early winter, primarily from October through January, while families are considering schools and completing the Newark Enrolls application. Families should check schools’ websites for more information.

Admissions Tests

Students applying for admission to the ninth grade at designated high schools will also participate in the Newark Enrolls High School Admissions Test. Current Newark Board of Education eighth graders are scheduled to take the test on January 22, 2027.

Eighth-grade students who do not attend a Newark Board of Education school are scheduled to take the admissions test on January 23, 2027, at 8:30 a.m. at Science Park High School, 260 Norfolk Street.

Auditions

Auditions for students applying to specialized programs at Arts High School, Barringer High School, and East Side High School will be conducted from November 2026 through January 2027. Additional information about audition requirements, schedules, and locations will be provided to applicants by the respective schools.

Website

Updates and other information are available at newarkenrolls.org.

This press release was produced by the Newark Board of Education. The views expressed here are the author’s own.