New York Construction Report staff writer
Site preparation is underway for a new University High School in Newark’s South Ward, marking progress on a long-delayed project that will provide space for up to 1,080 students in grades nine through 12.
New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) officials joined Newark school and local leaders Wednesday at the future school site, where earth-moving equipment was operating near Hawthorne Avenue and Dewey Street.
The approximately 198,000-sq. ft. school is intended to replace the existing University High School with a modern learning environment. The project was announced when Superintendent León was the school’s principal but was delayed by multiple factors, including changes in state administrations and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The new University High School will be the first project that the SDA has completed in this ward in their promise of building new schools in Newark,” León said. “Upon its completion, the state-of-the-art high school will be the home of the Phoenix, the incredible students from University High School.”
León highlighted the school’s legacy of developing leaders, including Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. He also thanked SDA Chief Executive Officer Manuel Da Silva, state legislators, district staff and the school community for helping move the project forward.
Da Silva, a graduate of Oliver Street School and Science High School, outlined the current site work and the next stages of development.
Site preparation includes removing remaining building foundations, underground storage tanks and a former roadway to expand the available footprint for the new school. The work is expected to continue through the first quarter of 2027.
The SDA is procuring a design-build contractor to complete the school’s final design and construction. Construction of the new building is anticipated to begin in fall 2027.
The project is expected to provide generations of Newark students with updated educational facilities and represents the SDA’s first new school construction project in the city’s South Ward, according to León.
