Immigrant Students in Newark Are Outperforming Expectations

Students who spoke little English are leading a quiet academic revolution in Newark. These immigrant students are keeping up with their New Jersey peers and often outperforming them.

Newark has had rising enrollment, unlike other urban school systems. Over the past decade, district and charter schools have grown with newcomer students. This transformation is changing classrooms and, more crucially, what multilingual learners can do in America.

An Achievement Record That Grabs Attention

Recent New Jersey Department of Education statistics is startling. The 2024 NJSLA state examinations found that 64% of former English language learners in Newark’s public schools passed grades three through eight. That’s higher than the statewide average of 51% for all kids, 62% for non-economically disadvantaged pupils, and 61% for white students.

These results are even more amazing when looking at specific colleges. Maria Varisco Rogers Charter School saw 88% of former multilingual students meet or surpass literacy standards. Lafayette Street School followed with 83%, and Ridge Street School with 82%, both above the state average.

Many Newark schools had children who studied English as a second language outperforming pupils in more than 400 other districts statewide.

The Cognitive Power of Bilingualism

Success is no accident. Bilingualism improves brain function, memory, and problem-solving, say experts. Switching languages improves attention control, information processing, and multitasking, according to research.

Old thought held that speaking a language other than English at home hurt schooling for decades. Scientifically, multilingualism can be an academic superpower.

Language Barriers to Ivy League Doors

Language-rich classrooms in Newark shape life stories as well as exam results.

Take 11-year-old Yasmim Barros, who came from a small Brazilian community without English. She graduated from East Side High School this year and will attend Harvard on scholarship.

As a high school sophomore, Cindy Sanchez joined North Star Academy Charter School with little English. She is excelling in her second year at Rutgers.

These stories show what many Newarkers already know: language hurdles can be overcome, opening doors to further education and career success.

Changes in Newark Classrooms

Over the past decade, Newark’s bilingual students increased from 3,645 in 2014-15 to 13,584. This expansion shows the city’s significance as a global hub for families, providing ethnic diversity and new viewpoints to local schools.

Newark, with roughly 60,000 public school kids, is one of the state’s most vibrant illustrations of how immigration can boost education and economic growth. Some of these students will become city, state, and national leaders, inventors, and professionals.

The Way Forward

Strong support, outstanding instruction, and high expectations helped Newark’s immigrant pupils succeed. Maintaining this momentum requires continuous investment in school buildings and fair funding for district and charter schools.

These pupils’ successes demonstrate the benefits of bilingualism and diversity beyond the classroom, say educators and politicians. They are transforming Newark and creating a national precedent.