Every student in Newark City Schools will have access to a computer during the 2021-22 school year and beyond through a one-to-one device initiative. The district has purchased more than 3,100 Chromebooks with grant money — enough for every student in grades 6-12 — and will use existing devices to provide in-school access to all elementary students. The $1.2 million purchase is made possible through many grants: $419,000 from the City of Newark’s COVID-relief funds; $535,000 from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund; and $270,000 from Special Education funds.
Newark Digital Academy will be renamed as NCS Digital beginning in the 2021-22 school year, completing the online school’s transition into Newark City Schools. The district will continue serving students in grades K-12 through NCS Digital, depending on student demand. This rebranding brings all of Newark’s online students under the same umbrella and completes the transition that began in 2018.