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.
“Newark Digital Academy has done an excellent job of educating students throughout the years,” Superintendent David Lewis said. “Many students may not have received a high school diploma without their efforts.”
Online offerings through NCS have increased in recent years, with more students taking online classes this school year than ever before. When the digital academy joined the district, the goal was to continue offering a quality online education for students who learn best outside of a brick-and-mortar setting. The school has traditionally served students in grades 6 through 12, with a heavier emphasis on high school students and credit recovery.
“As education has evolved over the past year, we must be prepared to better serve the diverse needs of all students within our district,” Lewis said. “The COVID pandemic forced many families to embrace online education for their children. NCS Digital will allow us to offer online options for students in grades K-12, while continuing to build upon the foundation that started with NDA.”
Online classes are an important piece of the overall education puzzle, which has become ever more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. NCS Digital has been an important part of reaching students in a different way, and has helped students who wish to stay home throughout the pandemic to continue learning.
“We are excited for the changes and growth NCS is seeing with its digital opportunities,” said NCS Digital Principal Brett Montgomery. “We all look forward to the growth and challenges and want to continue to provide high quality educational opportunities in an online setting for any Newark City Schools student.”