Newark Unified’s 5 public elementary schools run from the 11th to the 80th percentile among the 5,726 California elementary schools we score (spring 2026 tests). They sit in all four bands, from Strong to Needs Support.
Elementary · 5 schools
from 11th to 80th · among 5,726 California elementary schools we score · spring 2026 tests
John F. Kennedy Elementary: 80th percentile, Strong
The average elementary school in Newark Unified had 14 in 100 students chronically absent (missed 10% or more of school days) in 2025–26; the average California elementary school we score had 17 in 100. Both are averages of school rates, each school counted once.
Middle schools
Where does the middle school we score in Newark Unified stand?
Newark Middle is at the 33rd percentile.
That’s higher than 33 in 100 of the 2,529 California middle schools we score (spring 2026 tests). It’s the only public middle school we score in Newark Unified.
Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level.
Where does the high school we score in Newark Unified stand?
Newark Memorial High is at the 45th percentile.
That’s higher than 45 in 100 of the 1,498 California high schools we score (spring 2025 tests). It’s the only public high school we score in Newark Unified.
Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level.
Bridgepoint HighContinuation high school: compared only with other continuation schools
The district
Where does Newark Unified’s money go, and what does it plan?
Newark Unified spent $18,375 per student in the 2024–25 school year.
The typical California district spent $20,491. About 57 cents of every Newark Unified dollar went to classroom instruction.
Spending by function
Day-to-day spending per student in average daily attendance, from the district’s annual financial report (SACS) to the California Department of Education. District-wide: it includes central administration and costs never assigned to one campus.
Share by function, 2024–25
Instruction57%
Instruction support10%
Student services12%
Administration8%
Buildings & maintenance12%
Other1%
Shares of the same spending total, by the report’s spending categories, rounded so they add up to 100. Names are simplified from the report’s own categories.
What the district plans
$6.3 million
planned in its 2026–27 plan for 26 funded actions in 4 goals. These are planned amounts; the district reports what it spent in a later plan.
The plan in short
Source: the district’s yearly spending plan (Local Control and Accountability Plan, or LCAP, 146 pages), as posted to the California School Dashboard.
Where the money goes
Three actions take 33% of the money. The plan itself puts 49% of it toward staff.
College and Career Support (ROP) $969,359
Mental health and other support for families $602,413
Academic Counselors $493,257
23 other actions
Reading, math and catch-up help
4 of the plan’s 26 funded actions name reading, math, catch-up help or English learners in their titles.
Actions whose titles name catch-up help or English learners
Catch-up help $232,000
English learners $558,495
Largest of these
NEW ACTION Bilingual Instructional Assistants$369,700
High School Credit Recovery Summer School Program$232,000
EL Liaisons$118,795
For high-need students (English learners, low-income students and foster youth) and what its goals measure
For high-need students
It plans $6.0 million in extra services for English learners, low-income students and foster youth. For 2025–26, it planned $5.5 million and estimates it spent $4.3 million, $1.2 million (21%) less than planned (our arithmetic).
$4.3 million spent (estimated)$5.5 million planned
Ask: Why did estimated spending on these services come in $1.2 million under the 2025–26 plan, and where does that money go in 2026–27?
What its goals measure
Read these state results for the district’s own schools as context for the goals they measure; results alone can’t show what the plan caused.
What its goals measure: state results, 2024–25 and 2025–26
Measure
2024–25
2025–26
Change
English, every tested grade: Proficient or Advanced in 2025–26, met or exceeded in 2024–25Goal 1 · Student Achievement
49%
49%
no change
Math, every tested grade: Proficient or Advanced in 2025–26, met or exceeded in 2024–25Goal 1 · Student Achievement
39%
41%
up 2 pts
Chronically absentCounted across all the district’s students, not averaged by schoolGoal 2 · Engagement and School Climate
23 in 100
15 in 100
8 fewer in 100
Suspended at least onceGoal 2 · Engagement and School Climate
3.9%
2.3%
down 1.6 pts
Goal 4 tracks named schools and Goal 3 tracks other measures, so they aren’t shown here.
Figures from CDE’s state test, chronic absence and suspension files. Test figures cover every grade the district tests (California tests grades 3–8 and 11), so they differ from a profile’s rated grades. We combined the district’s schools ourselves, weighted by students and leaving out charter schools. Chronically absent means a student missed 10% or more of school days.
The plan’s own titles and amounts
College and Career Support (ROP) · $969,359
Mental health and other support for families · $602,413
Academic Counselors · $493,257
The full plan4 goals, 41 measures and where the money goes
We calculate each action’s share of the plan by dividing its planned amount by the total of the plan’s funded actions ($6.3 million).
Where does the money go?
63% to Goal 1, Student Achievement. Each box is one action, sized by its planned dollars. Tap a box to open its goal.
Goal 1Student Achievement$4.0 million63% of action budgets
“Provide equitable, challenging and engaging instructional settings, incorporating a multi-tiered support system for English Learners, to promote academic success for all students. This aligns with District Strategic Goal 1” p. 18 ↗
14 funded actions
Largest funded actions
College and Career Support (ROP)$969,359action 1.4 · p. 103 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
Academic Counselors$493,257action 1.1 · p. 103 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
Additional Support for Site Level Activities$492,947action 1.11 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
Highly Qualified Staff$421,000action 1.16 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
NEW ACTION Bilingual Instructional Assistants$369,700action 1.17 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
9 more funded actions in this goal
Instructional Program Subscriptions · action 1.8 · p. 103 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$312,400
High School Credit Recovery Summer School Program · action 1.14 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$232,000
District Professional Development for Classified and Certificated Staff · action 1.7 · p. 103 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$174,733
Equitable Access to Technology · action 1.13 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$150,000
EL Liaisons · action 1.10 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$118,795
College and Career Support · action 1.6 · p. 103 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$92,000
Intensive English Language Development Professional Learning · action 1.2 · p. 103 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$70,000
Additional Contract/Services for Language Support · action 1.9 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$35,000
High School Diagnostic Assessment · action 1.15 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$35,000
How the plan measures it · 14 measures
None of these has an all-students line we can quote; the plan’s table lists them from p. 18 ↗.
Goal 2Engagement and School Climate$1.6 million25% of action budgets
“Support and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all parents, families, and community as partners in the education and support of all students' success in school. This aligns with District Strategic Goal 3, Parent and Community Engagement and Communication” p. 33 ↗
6 funded actions
Largest funded actions
Mental health and other support for families$602,413action 2.5 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
Additional Site Level Activities (SPSA)$492,300action 2.4 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
MODIFIED; Community Liaison and Coordinator of Student Success$247,000action 2.6 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
Parent Involvement and Support Translating/Interpreting Services$89,500action 2.1 · p. 104 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
MODIFIED Data Management System$85,130action 2.2 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
1 more funded action in this goal
Parent Workshops · action 2.3 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services$36,574
How the plan measures it · 12 measures
None of these has an all-students line we can quote; the plan’s table lists them from p. 33 ↗.
Goal 3Conditions of Learning$633,23510% of action budgets
“Promote high quality learning conditions and a safe environment to enrich the social, emotional, and physical health of all students. This goal aligns with District Strategic Goal 2, Safe, Secure and Healthy Learning Environments” p. 48 ↗
5 funded actions
Largest funded actions
Additional Site level activities (SPSA)$245,599action 3.6 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
Science Education$190,000action 3.4 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
Library Hours of Operation and Educational Supplies/Support$143,636action 3.2 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
NEW ACTION - Teacher Induction Mentor Stipends$50,000action 3.8 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
Biliteracy Pathway Recognition & Reclassification Celebration$4,000action 3.3 · p. 105 ↗ · marked as contributing to high-need services
How the plan measures it · 10 measures
None of these has an all-students line we can quote; the plan’s table lists them from p. 48 ↗.
“Bridgepoint High School will reduce the Hispanic suspension rate, the socioeconomically disadvantaged suspension rate, and students with disabilities suspension rate. In addition, support will be given for students to graduate, and for students to be prepared for, and pursue, college or a career” p. 63 ↗
1 funded action
Largest funded actions
Home /School Liaison to monitor attendance and achievement for Bridgepoint High School$124,208action 4.1 · p. 105 ↗
How the plan measures it · 5 measures
None of these has an all-students line we can quote; the plan’s table lists them from p. 63 ↗.
All amounts are planned. We read them from the PDF and added up each goal’s actions ourselves. Page links open the plan at that page.
Who goes to the district’s schools
Who attends
Student mix
2024–25 · October enrollment count, 4,666 students
1Hispanic or Latino52%
2Asian18%
3White8%
4Filipino8%
5Two or more races6%
6Not reported3%
7Black or African American3%
8Pacific Islander2%
9American Indian or Alaska Native<1%
Shares use the district's own October enrollment counts from the CDE, including its charter schools.
Free or reduced-price meals
41%
Across California, 63% of students qualify.
2024–25 · 1,747 of 4,252 students qualify, summed from the CDE’s meal counts for every school it lists under the district, charters included. It comes from a different CDE file than the student mix, so the two totals differ.
The district’s state records
Is the state giving the district extra help?
The state is giving Newark Unified extra help in 2026, the second year after it qualified on the 2025 Dashboard.
How English learners moved up on the state’s English test
From spring 2025 to spring 2026, 50% of the district’s English learners moved up at least one level on the state’s English test (ELPAC), or stayed at the top (354 of 710 students). California: 47%. It counts students moving up the test’s levels, so a student can count here before becoming fluent.
2 schools getting state support, 2025–26
August Schilling Elementary (Extra targeted support) · Bridgepoint High (Most intensive support, graduation rate)
This list covers the district’s own schools; each charter school’s page shows its record. Federal designation under the Every Student Succeeds Act, 2025–26.
Which public schools in Newark Unified rank highest?
Elementary: John F. Kennedy Elementary, 80th percentile (Strong). Middle: Newark Middle, 33rd percentile (Developing). High: Newark Memorial High, 45th percentile (Developing). Each percentile is among the California schools at the same level we score. A rank doesn’t decide fit or whether a child can enroll.
Does living in the Newark Unified district decide which school my child attends?
Not by itself. Attendance boundaries, programs, transfers and space all matter. Confirm the school for your address, grade and program with the district.
More questions (5)
Are the public schools in Newark Unified good?
Newark Unified’s 5 public elementary schools run from the 11th to the 80th percentile among the 5,726 California elementary schools we score (spring 2026 tests). By band: 1 Strong, 2 Solid, 1 Developing and 1 Needs Support. Newark Unified has one public middle school we score, Newark Middle, at the 33rd percentile among the 2,529 California middle schools we score (spring 2026 tests). By band: 1 Developing. Newark Unified has one public high school we score, Newark Memorial High, at the 45th percentile among the 1,498 California high schools we score (spring 2025 tests). By band: 1 Developing. A percentile compares a school with California public schools at the same level that we score. How we score schools.
How does chronic absence in Newark Unified compare with California?
The average elementary school in Newark Unified had 14 in 100 students chronically absent (missed 10% or more of school days) in 2025–26; the average California elementary school we score had 17 in 100. Both are averages of school rates, each school counted once. These are averages of school rates: each school counts once, whatever its size.
How much does Newark Unified spend per student?
Newark Unified spent $18,375 per student in the 2024–25 school year. The typical California district spent $20,491. About 57 cents of every Newark Unified dollar went to classroom instruction. Day-to-day spending per student in average daily attendance, from its annual financial report to the California Department of Education. The district’s spending, by function.
What is in Newark Unified’s 2026–27 spending plan?
The district’s 2026–27 spending plan puts $6.3 million into 26 funded actions in 4 goals. Its largest goal holds $4.0 million, 63% of the action budgets. The 2026–27 plan, goal by goal.
Where do these results come from?
California’s state tests (CAASPP): spring 2026 for elementary and middle schools, spring 2025 for high schools, and chronic-absence rates for 2025–26, published by the California Department of Education. Percentiles, bands and Scope Scores are SchoolScope’s calculations. How we score schools.
Sources and methodology
This page lists the public schools governed and funded by Newark Unified, with the district’s spending and state accountability records.
Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2025–26 elementary and middle school; 2024–25 high school
Percentiles, bands and Scope Scores are SchoolScope’s own calculations from these state files.