New Media High School opens with more than 100 ninth-graders

What happened

Newark Public Schools opened New Media High School on September 8 with more than 100 ninth-graders enrolled. The new career-focused high school will prepare students for content creation, video media production, and entertainment management; it will initially operate at Bard High School Early College while the former Dayton Street Elementary site undergoes major repairs.

Why it matters to families

This adds a new high-school option and a specialized career pathway in media and entertainment. The school will grow by one grade each year, and its temporary location and planned move to the repaired Dayton Street site are important operating details for current families and future applicants. Steven Oliver was appointed as the school's principal.

The evidence

The Newark Board of Education's September 8, 2026 press release states that New Media High School opened with more than 100 ninth-graders, names its mission and principal Steven Oliver, says it will be temporarily located at Bard High School Early College, and identifies the former Dayton Street Elementary site as its eventual location after major repairs. The release also says eighth-graders may apply for the next ninth-grade class when NewarkEnrolls opens in October.

The source