Inside New Jersey’s ‘Zillow For Finding Schools’: How a New Effort in Newark Aims to Empower Families By Putting More Education Information at Parents’ Fingertips
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Most parents in Newark, New Jersey are aware that they have a wide range of options when it comes to finding the right school for their children.
However, making an informed choice can become tricky and overwhelming for some individuals.
Dane Tomlin, a parent in the city with two school-aged boys, still remembers his search for the right school a couple of years ago. Unsure of where to start and hesitant to go through the process of individually contacting schools to inquire about their educational approaches and services, he relied heavily on recommendations from previous teachers and their networks within the district.
But this year, Tomlin was able to utilize a new tool available to Newark residents called "My Schools Newark." Developed by the local non-profit organization New Jersey Children’s Foundation, this website aims to alleviate the challenges and issues parents were facing during school enrollment. The creation of this platform was informed by extensive focus groups and parent engagement sessions held throughout the city.
This free website, which is also optimized for mobile devices, provides a comprehensive collection of school information across all neighborhoods and school models. It includes a searchable database that grants families direct access to information about every traditional district school, charter schools, private schools, preschools, and vocational campuses. Users can apply filters based on distance, grade level, special education services, English learner programs, and application requirements.
Tomlin attests to the usefulness of My Schools Newark, stating that the information he found during the beta-testing phase guided his further research and subsequent conversations with other parents.
According to Kyle Rosenkrans, the executive director of NJCF, local focus groups revealed that while Newark has a wealth of educational assets, the school selection process often proved challenging and confusing for parents. They were seeking better information to make informed decisions about their children’s education. The goal was to create a platform similar to Zillow but for finding schools.
Rosenkrans notes that there are over 185 schools in Newark, and prior to My Schools Newark, there was no efficient tool that allowed parents to search and filter through all available types of schools. Just as one might search for properties in a specific area, parents can now customize their school search.
The beta-testing phase of My Schools Newark began in December of the previous year. Through social and digital campaigns, Newark families were engaged, and feedback was collected from both schools and community groups. The platform garnered over 45,000 unique visits during the initial public beta phase.
Sarah Yan, an executive director-in-residence at NJCF, emphasizes that this was a community-driven initiative developed alongside parents, rather than just for parents. The development process involved numerous meetings with parents and community-based organizations, fostering a valuable two-way dialogue with families.
Octavia Thompson has been appointed to lead and oversee the platform. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the invaluable input received from parents and community-based organizations during the development process.
Thompson recognizes that the closure of campuses during the pandemic has added additional pressure for families seeking school and enrollment information. She hopes that the new database will serve as a helpful resource for families navigating their way through this crisis.
Newark’s enrollment has undergone a shift due to the growth of the district, according to Rosenkrans. Over the past ten years, the size of the school system has increased by 13,000 students. In the last four years alone, 12 new charter schools have been established and 12 district schools have either opened or expanded. Additionally, the pandemic has led to the closure of many private schools, prompting parents to search for alternative public education options.
Please note that the New Jersey Children’s Foundation and receive financial support from The City Fund.
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