Newark Board of Ed and Victoria Foundation Partner to Encourage Student Participation in Upcoming School Board Election

The Newark Board of Education and Victoria Foundation announced an exciting partnership to empower Newark public high schools, both district and charter, to boost civic engagement among students in the upcoming school board election, in which eligible 16- and 17-year-old students will be able to vote for the first time. As part of the initiative, Victoria Foundation will award cash investments to the three high schools that demonstrate the highest levels of student-led civic engagement, such as voter registration drives, civic education programs, and leadership initiatives.

"This historic election provides public schools a unique opportunity to strengthen civics education and encourage student engagement," said Roger Leon, superintendent of the Newark Public Schools. "Beyond policy change, this is about empowering young people to be active participants in their community. We couldn't be more excited to partner with the Victoria Foundation to support schools in fostering civic learning and leadership among students."

Leon said the goal is to encourage at least 3,000 students in Newark's high schools to register by the March 25, 2025, deadline.

"Victoria Foundation is committed to civic education and participation," said Craig Drinkard, executive officer of Victoria Foundation. "We want to see young people understand and exercise their right to vote. That's why we will make substantial investments in the three Newark high schools with the highest levels of civic engagement, such as voter registration drives and educational programs. The first-place school will receive $15,000; the second-place school will receive $12,000; and the third-place school will receive $10,000. These funds can be used for any school-related purpose that supports further civic involvement and student growth."

When the Newark City Council voted unanimously last year to allow 16- and-17-year-olds to vote in school board elections, about 6,600 Newark students gained the right to vote – more than 91 percent of whom are Black, Latinx, or from other communities of color. With this expansion of democracy, young people will have a say in who makes the rules that directly affect their lives every day.

"School Board elections define the course of our efforts to educate our youth, and in turn define the future of our city," Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said. "That is why we want our youth to have an active voice in charting this course, by empowering them with the vote. Victoria Foundation's competition is a dynamic effort to energize and motivate our youth to engage civically and participate in this election. I thank them for partnering with the Newark Board of Education on this engagement and look forward to it resulting in a high youth turnout on School Board Election Day."

"Before voter registration closes on March 25, I am encouraging principals at each Newark high school to hold assemblies or other events to educate, register, and excite 16- and-17-year-old students to vote in this historic school board election," said Leon. "That engagement will include making a voting plan for following through to cast a ballot."

Schools will earn points through a Civic Engagement Score Sheet based on activities that promote civic education and participation, such as voter registration drives, assemblies, student-led initiatives, and other nonpartisan civic engagement efforts. A neutral committee, comprised of community leaders, education professionals and representatives from nonpartisan organizations, will review school submissions using a fair scoring system. The top three schools with the highest civic engagement scores will receive funding from Victoria Foundation.

The contest is not affiliated with any candidate or political party.

About Victoria Foundation
Founded in 1924, Victoria Foundation is a private foundation based in Newark, New Jersey, with an endowment of $300 million. Since 1964, Victoria Foundation has focused most of its resources on children and families living in Newark, New Jersey, with grants totaling more than $380 million. The foundation recently announced a new framework that will direct its grantmaking, investments, and relationships on addressing systemic causes of generational poverty in Newark by focusing on strengthening community power, fostering economic justice, promoting youth self-determination, and responding to pressing needs. Learn more at victoriafoundation.org.