Newark Charter is accepting applications for grades K-12 for the 2026-2027 school year now through Wednesday, January 14, 2026 only. The online application is available from our school’s website.

Reminder! Applicants must first pre-register in their feeder pattern district school of residence, if not already registered in a Delaware public school, and then must complete a standard choice application form during the school choice application window for the 2026-2027 school year. The Public School Registration application helps determine your district school of residence. Visit this site for additional pre-registration information.

Enrollment is open to all Delaware residents. In the event that the number of applications exceeds the number of openings, a lottery will be used to select students, with preference given to employees, siblings of current students and to students living in the 5-mile radius of the school. Students who have been placed on a wait list for Newark Charter School in the past must reapply, if interested, for the 2026-2027 school year.  

Siblings of current students and staff member’s children not currently enrolled at NCS must submit an application during the open enrollment period to be considered for admission.  Students currently enrolled at NCS do not submit an application for the following school year.

Please contact Sharon Dorr, Director of Admissions, at 302-369-2001 or NCS.Admissions@ncs.k12.de.us should you have any admissions related questions.

Senior High School families, NCS will be transitioning away from "mailed-home" Interim Reports  and using the tools within Infinite Campus to update student progress halfway through the trimester. The next Interim Report is scheduled for the week of January 14th, 2026, but we want to inform you of this transition in advance.

If you haven't done so already, please use the activation code emailed to you at the start of the year to access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Once inside Infinite Campus, you can pull up the 1st Trimester Interim Report for your child by clicking "Grades" on the left side panel, which will take you to a broad look at your child's courses. 

While we are transitioning to digital Interim Reports, Schoology will remain as our primary format to view grades for assignments. We will also continue sending the Report Card home with the student in March.

If you are having trouble accessing your child's profile within Infinite Campus, please contact NCS Parent Technology Support.

The 2025-2026 Newark Charter School yearbooks will be on sale January 12 through February 13, 2026 only. The price for the Senior High School hardbound yearbook is $80 with an option for a personalized nameplate for just $5 more. 

Online orders will open January 12th.   

We are excited to announce that tickets for our high school production of The Drowsy Chaperone will go on sale Tuesday, January 7th and will be available for purchase via our Newark Charter School Theatrical Productions website.

The Drowsy Chaperone is a comedic musical that follows a Broadway superfan as he plays his favorite 1920s musical recording, bringing the show to life in his apartment. Through witty narration and over-the-top characters, the story humorously celebrates and pokes fun at the golden age of musicals.

Performance Dates:

Friday, January 30 at 7pm

Saturday, January 31 at 7pm

Sunday, February 1 at 2pm

Friday, February 6 at 7pm

Saturday, February 7 at 2pm

Saturday, February 7 at 7pm

The Drowsy Chaperone is a fast-paced, comedic musical that celebrates classic musical theatre with humor and satire. As with many shows of this style, it includes mature humor and themes that may not be appropriate for all audiences. We strongly encourage families to research the show prior to purchasing tickets to ensure it is a good fit for their child.

Thank you for supporting our students and the performing arts—we can’t wait to share this production with you!

Prom 2026

Save the date!

Friday, April 24

6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Executive Banquet Center

The Prom theme will be revealed on December 19 during the Winter Pep Rally! An after-prom celebration will follow at the school.

 Tickets will be on sale March 13–27, 2026.

Please note: Tickets are non-refundable and expected to sell out quickly.

More details will be shared in 2026.

Get ready for an unforgettable night!

The After Prom Committee will be holding this year’s planning kickoff meeting on Wednesday, January 7th at 7:00pm in the Senior High Library.

 Join us to hear what we have in mind for this year’s After Prom, bring new ideas, and learn how you can help make this year’s After Prom another amazing night!  

Winter is here—what better way to stay warm than with a cozy blanket? 

 We are excited to share a new fundraising opportunity to support our Chinese language students as they prepare for the 2027 Spring Field Trip to China.

Families can help by purchasing a Newark Charter logo blanket for $25.00. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly toward supporting our students and families, helping create a richer experience while reducing the financial burden of this trip.

 Order Deadline: January 30

Delivery: All blankets will be shipped directly to the school for distribution
 

Order here 

Thank you for your support!

The NCS SL24 Team is sponsoring a parent-speaker presentation by Chris Locke, co-founder of the Unlocke the Light Foundation & local safe-haven Sean’s House, to discuss Supporting our Students’ Mental Health. 

This presentation is for all NCS parents and will take place in the Otello Meucci Performing Arts Center at 7pm on Wednesday,  January 21, 2026. 

Bringing awareness to students’ mental health is essential because emotional well-being directly affects how children learn, behave, and develop. When parents understand the signs of stress, anxiety, or depression, they are better equipped to offer support early—before challenges grow into crises. Open conversations about mental health help reduce stigma, strengthen family connections, and create a safe environment where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to ask for help. Together, informed parents and Newark Charter School can promote healthier, more resilient children both in and out of the classroom.

 We hope you can join us to continue the conversation around mental health in our students. 

The High School athletics program looking for an Assistant Girls Lacrosse Coach - Spring 2026 - starts March 2nd

Please contact Mr. Shivery at greg.shivery@ncs.k12.de.us if you are interested. 

Dear NCS Families,

We are excited to inform you about the rollout of new features within our Infinite Campus system that will enhance campus safety, improve student attendance, and create a more efficient learning environment. These new tools include an automated check-in/check-out system and the E-hall student pass. The check-in/check-out system was trialed and rolled out at the high school on October 6th, 2025. The E-hall pass will be rolled out in November 2025.

Infinite Campus Check-in/Check-out

Our new electronic check-in/check-out system will streamline the process for students arriving late or leaving early during the school day. This tool ensures greater accuracy and real-time data for attendance records.

Key benefits include:

• Improved data accuracy: Provides an exact record of entry and departure times, minimizing human error and ensuring accurate attendance data.

• Enhanced accountability: Reinforces the importance of timeliness and encourages students to attend their classes.

• Greater security: Helps staff and administrators quickly confirm students' whereabouts during school hours, adding another layer of security to our campus.

E-hall Student Pass

We are also implementing the E-hall student pass system to more effectively track student movement outside the classroom. This is a secure, digital solution that replaces traditional paper passes and is already in use by many other districts.

Key benefits include:

• Increased student safety: In an emergency, staff can quickly see a live dashboard showing all students with active hall passes, including their intended destinations.

• Reduced instructional time loss: Teachers can easily monitor the time students spend out of the classroom, helping to reduce prolonged trips and unnecessary interruptions.

• Data-driven insights: The system provides administrators with data to identify patterns in student behavior. This insight allows us to proactively address issues and support students who may be frequently out of class.

• Preventing unwanted meet-ups: The system can be configured to prevent specific students from receiving passes for the same location at the same time, helping to de-escalate potential conflicts.

We are confident that these new features will help create a safer, more productive, and more accountable campus for all students. We will provide additional details and instructions on these tools to students and staff in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to enhance our school's safety and effectiveness.

Students and Parents/Guardians: Be sure to bookmark the Student Council (STUCO) website for information about all STUCO Activities such as Homecoming, Patriot Games, etc.

STUCO Website 

How to Schedule a Meeting with a Counselor

12th Graders (Seniors): 

Last Names A-K: Mrs. Halfen (College & School Counselor)**

Last Names L-Z: Mrs. Potter (College & School Counselor)**

Various: Mr. Mitchell (College Counselor)*

The above links (for seniors) are also listed in the "Resources" section of the Class of 2026 student Schoology Group.

*If you're scheduling a meeting with a college counselor, please schedule it with your assigned college counselor for senior year. If you don't remember who your college counselor is, please check your Naviance account!

9th-11th Graders: 

There are forms located in the main office for students to request a meeting with their assigned counselor.  We ask that students fill out the form and leave it in their counselor’s bin, and they will be scheduled as soon as possible. If it is an emergency, students should go to the main office, and a counselor will address the concern.

Grade 9:

Mrs. Huynh-ba - all students

Grade 10:

Mrs. O'Connor - last names A-K

Mrs. Huynh-ba - last names L-Z

Grade 11:

Mrs. O'Connor - all students

All Grades:                                 

Dr. Breanne Prisco - 504s, MTSS, and attendance contracts

Seniors applying to colleges, have you completed the FAFSA with a parent/guardian yet? The clock is ticking, and you are now approaching the point of being "late" in this process, which could jeopardize your opportunity to receive maximum financial support to help pay for college. Please note that even families with incomes exceeding $200,000 per year can still qualify for financial aid at many institutions, provided they complete the FAFSA.

FAFSA Action Encouraged + Additional Financial Aid Tasks

• Gather required documentation if not already prepared; check the following link for more information about FAFSA and the college financial aid process.

• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) now (use 2026-27 version, NOT 2025-26)

  • Who fills out the FAFSA? The student (with direct parental/guardian assistance) and then a parent (or, in rare cases, two parents) electronically "signs" the form, along with the student's "signature." If there is any uncertainty, for assistance with deciding which parent should assist the student with completion, please consult this chart and consider using this "wizard" from the federal government.

• Research CSS Profile requirements for your specific colleges and complete the Profile (if applicable) - the CSS Profile App went live October 1st 

• Check for additional institutional forms that individual colleges may require (e.g., tax returns, supplemental forms, etc.)

Virtual FAFSA Completion Assistance Opportunities

via financial aid specialists from Stand By Me

These optional sessions listed below are not required to complete the FAFSA, but feel free to consider signing up for an individual completion appointment if it can help you!

Link to Schedule FAFSA Completion Session (virtual) Sign up (in English)

Link to Schedule FAFSA Completion Session (virtual) Sign up (in Spanish)

Focus: Activities/Honors Sections & Supplemental Essays

Activities & Honors Sections: Paint Your Complete Portrait

Your application systems (e.g., Common App, Common Black App, etc.) have activities and honors sections that require strategic presentation to effectively communicate your impact and engagement. 

Essential Activities Section Guidelines (in Common App or other application systems):

• Use Print Preview to see exactly what admissions officers will view

• Don't feel constrained by text box labels—be strategic with your descriptions since headings don't appear in the final view

• Spell out all acronyms consistently

• Use consistent formatting conventions throughout (periods, semicolons, capitalization)

• Prioritize recent and most significant achievements

• Include specific details and quantifiable impact where possible

• Link to work products when relevant (use clear, professional titles)

• Use appropriate verb tenses: past tense for completed activities, present tense for ongoing, present tense with "-ing" for newly started

Quick Reference Guide: Consider our one-pager with common questions and advice (plus samples).

Honors Section Strategy: Apply the same principles as activities, with additional considerations for impact presentation. Be genuine and strategic in your presentation.

Additional Résumé Upload Decision: Generally, the answer is NO. The Common Application's built-in sections are designed to capture your complete profile effectively. Only upload an additional résumé if you have truly exceptional circumstances that cannot be captured otherwise. Exception: UT Austin strongly prefers a résumé upload (along with PSU's BS/MD Program [and there may be other exceptions]).

Supplemental Essays: Specificity, Detail, and Reflection Win

Thoughtful Supplemental Essay Strategy:

• Identify ALL supplemental questions early—don't underestimate the time investment required

• Compile questions from all colleges to see the full scope of your writing workload

• Research each college thoroughly for "Why Us" questions: investigate academic departments, unique programs, strategic plans, and specific opportunities

• Avoid copy-and-paste approaches—each essay must be genuinely specific to that institution

• Remember: many colleges weight supplemental essays MORE heavily than your main Common Application essay

Research Process for "Why Us" Essays: Look beyond surface-level information to find specific academic centers, faculty research, strategic initiatives, and unique curricular aspects that genuinely connect to your interests and goals.

Overall Portrait Consideration: Ensure all your written pieces (Common App essay, supplemental essays, short answers, activities descriptions) work together coherently. Avoid redundancy and disparate voices—create a unified narrative that authentically represents you.

Helpful Resources:

• Supplemental Essay Compilation Template: https://tinyurl.com/NCSessays

• Activities/Honors verb suggestions: Tinyurl.com/verbs4apps

• College Essay Guy's activities list guidance

• College Essay Advisors and CollegeVine for supplemental essay approaches/contexts of understanding

Critical Reminders from Earlier Launch Week Sessions

Naviance Deadline Management - Verify Immediately

Ensure all your college deadlines in Naviance are accurate with correct dates from official college websites. This is the ONLY way counselors and teachers can send transcripts and recommendation letters. Remember our one-month advance notice requirement for all deadline changes.

Remember: Applications and supporting documents (transcripts, recommendations) are processed separately by colleges. You don't need to wait for recommendation letters before submitting applications.

Test Score Strategy Reminders - Ideally Finalize Decisions by Sunday, September 28th and if uncertain, check with college counselors during upcoming activity period(s) this week, if necessary!

If you haven't completed your test score research and decision-making for each college, this must be finalized immediately. Remember:

• Research each college's specific policies (required vs. test-optional)

• Verify policies using college websites and https://www.compassprep.com/college-profiles/

• Determine HOW each college wants to receive scores (official sending vs. self-reporting vs. portal upload)

• Use the score management template: tinyurl.com/ManageScoresNCS

• Send official scores well before application deadlines—processing takes over a week

Thank you for reading and accessing these resources. Please note that you can also view previous full detail action item emails sent during Launch Week below in this same thread.

Note: Every student may be at a different level of comfort regarding their place in this process of applying to college and setting off on careers, and that is completely okay and expected. This is why we host sessions like Launch Week and why college/career counselors are here to assist during this coming week's open activity period sessions, future group sessions, and ongoing individual meetings throughout the year. Whether students are uncertain about college lists, careers, military options, application system/submissions, test score reporting/sending decisions, financial aid (including scholarships), Naviance, STAR, or Common App questions, we're here for the class of 2026!

Enroll for SAT Prep!

The SATs will be administered to all juniors in March, and NCS instructors are offering an intensive nine-week prep course to help students get ready. 

📅 Dates: Saturdays, January 10 – March 7, 2026

🕗 Time: 8:00–10:30 AM

📍 Location: Newark Charter High School, 200 McIntire Drive, Newark, DE

Led by Mr. Russo (ELA), Mrs. Setty (Math), and Mr. Swider (Math), the course includes instruction in both Math and ELA, three full-length practice tests, individualized feedback, and weekly homework to reinforce learning.

Limited spots available! The first 30 students (with completed form and payment) will secure a seat. Additional students will be placed on a waitlist pending possible expansion.

For questions, email detestprep@gmail.com

 Sample of SAT Test Preparation Options Beyond Bluebook Practice Tests & Khan Academy* (This list is not exhaustive)

Please note that test preparation is not a requirement; however, SAT preparation is critical to maximizing score potential.

· Diana Freccia SAT/PSAT Tutoring 

Call: (516) 457-7470

Email: diana@makeitrealsat.com

· Kim Calvetti

Email: alemab8@verizon.net

Cell: 302-383-5871 (please text or email instead of calling)

· Huntington Learning Center – Newark (can specialize in SAT/ACT tutoring but also with any content-specific or time management and study strategy tutoring as well)

   Call: (302) 737-1050

Other sample options include: Mind the Test, Y2 Academy

*A Note on Khan Academy (free and valuable)

Several years ago, the College Board joined forces with Khan Academy (online learning platform) to offer free SAT prep via online videos and practice tests/quizzes that students can access from any device with internet connectivity.

Some students take full advantage of this opportunity and see significant growth with disciplined habits on Khan Academy, but because tutoring or tailored in-person SAT prep class sessions (and completion of corresponding assigned homework) are considered the best possible test preparation options for the SAT—and to keep students accountable and attentive throughout the duration of test prep—we consider the Khan Academy resources as the “minimum” preparation and have listed some other optional fee-based test prep options above.  Khan Academy quizzes/tests can also be helpful supplements to these optional test prep programs.

Linking Bluebook SAT Practice Tests with Khan Academy

Steps to Link Your Practice Tests:

1. Take a Full-Length Practice Test in Bluebook:

- Download and install the Bluebook app from the College Board (or it’s already installed on all NCS-issued Chromebooks).

- Sign in and navigate to the 'Practice and Prepare' section.

- Select and complete a full-length digital SAT practice test.

2. Access Your Scores and Review:

- After completing the test, log in to My Practice (https://mypractice.collegeboard.org) using the same credentials.

- View your scores and detailed breakdowns of your performance.

3. Link to Khan Academy for Targeted Practice:

- From your score report or the 'Score Details' page, click the 'Practice on Khan Academy' button.

- This will direct you to a customized course on Khan Academy, providing detailed explanations for each question and linking to lessons that cover the necessary skills.

- Visit https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice/khan-academy for more information.

Parents/Guardians of 9th Grade Students

If you haven't sent in a recent health physical (done within the past two years) or updated immunizations (that includes a tetanus booster and one dose of meningococcal vaccine), now is the time to do so as this is still a requirement for 9th grade.  Thank you to all the parents/guardians and students who have already submitted their information!

Asthma, Allergy, or any Medical Action plans: 

If your student has asthma or a life-threatening allergy or a medical concern that requires an action plan, please don't forget to get an action plan completed for this school year. You can find the forms for asthma or a life-threatening allergy on our NCS Website .

Medical plans for diagnoses such as seizures or diabetes or recurrent/ongoing migraine headaches (just to name a few possible diagnoses), please contact us and we will provide a form for you. If you want your child to be able to carry their inhaler or epinephrine pen please make sure we have written permission from you to allow them to do so. Thank you for all who have done this already!

Students may not carry any medication in their bookbags or keep in their lockers except for rescue inhalers or epinephrine pens or insulin and only if there is a medical plan in place with the school nurse. 

If you have any health or medical questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our high school nurses: Karen Pennington RN and Erin Porter RN at NCSHighSchoolNurses@ncs.k12.de.us

United Way of Delaware is proud to partner in sharing this opportunity, and Delaware 211 will follow up with applicants to connect them with related resources and no-cost Stand By Me financial coaching. Together, these supports with Energize Delaware help ensure families not only receive immediate energy relief but also have access to tools for long-term financial stability.

Help is now available for Delaware households struggling with energy bills. The Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund (for Delmarva Power customers) offers up to $300 in one-time bill assistance for income-eligible families. Funds are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For non-Delmarva Power customers, Energize Delaware has established the Delaware Energy Fund providing up to $300 in one-time bill assistance for income-eligible families. 

To qualify, households must meet income guidelines and take part in a free Energize Delaware energy efficiency program like the Home Energy Checkup. This step ensures families not only receive financial relief but also save on future energy costs. Please share this information with friends, family, or neighbors who may benefit. Additional information may be found here: https://www.energizedelaware.org/delmarva-power-customer-relief-fund/