North Star Academy [Charter School of Newark] is a jewel of excellence
- President George W. Bush
You give me hope that every child can learn and go to college. You motivate me and give me inspiration.
- Senator Frank Lautenberg
Imagine:
Imagine joining a school with an elite team of teaching professionals that is committed, mission-oriented,
data-driven, and compassionate.
Imagine working in a school that has established results and continues to be self-reflective, striving
to be better than ever before.
Imagine knowing that your work is closing the achievement gap for Newark youth who regularly confront
adults making excuses for student failure.
Imagine no longer. Such a school exists. Welcome to North Star Academy!
Established History, Bright Future
Since its inception in 1997 as one of NJ's first charter schools, North Star has been a leader in urban public
education. With three campuses currently serving over 700 students in grades K, 1, and 5-12, North Star plans to grow at a steady
pace in subsequent years, eventually serving more than 1,500 Newark students in grades K-12.
Educational Excellence
North Star teachers not only expect elevated student learning, they achieve it. 100% of North Star graduates go to college.
They currently attend schools such as the University of Chicago, Amherst, Boston College and Rutgers. Regularly
highlighted for its outstanding results, North Star has been featured in a PBS documentary and in the book
No Excuses as a trailblazer in closing the achievement gap. In the middle school, North Star was among the highest
performing urban schools in New Jersey on statewide 8th grade exams, often doubling the proficiency rates of their
Newark schools counterparts.
School Culture:
Seeing the Star
North Star has a strong and supportive school community driven by its core values of caring, respect, responsibility
and justice. Faculty, staff and students regularly meet around the djembe drum for community circle in the morning.
Students must follow, and parents are expected to support, the school's code of conduct. Students wear school uniforms
and conduct themselves with dignity and honor. Discipline is serious and caring.
Teacher Profile and Commitment
North Star results are no miracle - our highly talented teachers work smarter, harder, and longer. They are also
led by nationally-recognized instructional leaders. North Star has an extended school day and extended school year.
As North Star grows, teachers have the opportunity to grow into school leaders, leading North Star and other high
performing schools within the Uncommon Schools Network. North Star continues to be a diverse community
- 47% are teachers of color. On average the teachers have six years of teaching experience, with two-thirds
having taught previously in public schools. One fifth are alumni of Teach For America.
North Star Teaching Videos
As part of the application process, teaching candidates for North Star Academy are asked to present a sample lesson. The following videos, taken from Ms. Jones' 5th grade history class at our Clinton Hill Middle School Campus, have been provided here as examples of North Star teaching and student expectations.
Video 1: Opening Procedures - Words of Inspiration and Oral Drill
Video 2: Direct Instruction - Note-Taking
Video 3: Checking For Understanding
Video 4: Direct Instruction - Student Introduction
North Star Academy [Charter School of Newark] is a jewel of excellence 
