Work advances on a new University High School for up to 1,080 students

What happened

Newark is moving ahead with a new University High School in the South Ward, with site preparation underway and construction of the building expected to begin in fall 2027. The approximately 198,000-square-foot facility is planned for up to 1,080 students in grades 9–12.

Why it matters to families

The project would provide University High School students with a modern learning facility and substantial capacity; the school-building work is moving forward after a long delay, but completion is still several years away.

The evidence

The district’s Oct. 14, 2026 announcement says the New Jersey Schools Development Authority is overseeing the approximately 198,000-square-foot school. Site preparation, including removal of old foundations and underground storage tanks, was expected to continue through the first quarter of 2027; building construction was anticipated to start in fall 2027. The school is designed for up to 1,080 ninth- through twelfth-graders.

The source