Newark Students Reach Major Milestone as Nearly 200 Earn College Degrees Before High School Graduation
NEWARK, N.J. — Hundreds of students in New Jersey’s largest public school district are leaving high school with more than a diploma in hand. Members of the Newark Public Schools Class of 2026 celebrated a remarkable academic achievement this week, with 194 graduates earning college degrees before officially completing high school.
The students accomplished this milestone through Newark Public Schools’ Dual Enrollment Program, an initiative that allows high school students to complete college-level coursework and earn associate degrees while finishing their secondary education. This year’s graduates earned their college credentials through partnerships with Essex County College and Bard College.
The achievement highlights the growing impact of programs designed to give students an early start on higher education while reducing the financial burden often associated with earning a college degree. According to Newark Public Schools, the program helped families save an estimated $17.5 million in tuition costs.
The students were among thousands who graduated Tuesday from the district’s 17 high schools. Newark Public Schools, the largest school district in New Jersey, served more than 35,000 students during the 2025-26 academic year across 63 schools.
District officials described this year’s graduating class as one that achieved success well beyond traditional academic expectations. In addition to receiving their high school diplomas, many students secured substantial financial support for their future education and career goals.
Newark Superintendent Roger León said the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 represent much more than a standard graduation ceremony. He noted that students earned hundreds of millions of dollars in scholarships while some completed full college degree programs before even leaving high school.
The dual enrollment graduates now enter the next stage of their education with a significant advantage. Students who plan to continue their studies can build upon the college credits and degrees they have already earned, potentially reducing the time required to complete bachelor’s and advanced degree programs. Others may enter the workforce with credentials that typically require additional years of study after high school.
The district reported that the tuition savings generated through the Dual Enrollment Program come in addition to more than $269 million in college scholarships awarded to this year’s Newark Public Schools graduates. Together, those figures reflect the substantial financial opportunities secured by students before beginning the next chapter of their academic journeys.
Another notable accomplishment from the graduating class involved participants in the district’s Teacher Academy program. Fifty-one graduates received commitments to return and teach within Newark Public Schools after completing their bachelor’s degrees and obtaining state teaching certifications.
Those future educators are expected to begin their careers in the district with starting salaries of $74,000 per year, creating a direct pathway from Newark classrooms to professional teaching positions.
As graduation ceremonies concluded across the district, the achievements of the Class of 2026 showcased how expanded access to college coursework and career-focused programs can create new opportunities for students long before they leave high school. For nearly 200 graduates, earning a college degree before receiving a high school diploma marked a significant step toward future academic and professional success.
Sources
- Newark Public Schools
- Essex County College
- Bard College
