Newark Academy Celebrates its Historic 250th Anniversary

Livingston, NJ — More than 600 people gathered to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Newark Academy (NA) — one of the oldest independent schools in the country for grades 6-12 — on Saturday, May 4 at the school’s campus in Livingston, NJ.

Among the many alumni who returned to their alma mater during the evening’s festivities were former presidential advisor Lanny Davis (Class of 1963), the Honorable Leo M. Gordon (Class of 1969) of the U.S. Court of International Trade and Jersey City Councilman James Solomon (Class of 2002).

“Newark Academy’s longevity reflects a two and one half century commitment to serving the academic needs of school-age children who enter its doors irrespective of who they are and where they come from in the greater community,” Judge Gordon, who is also Chair of Newark Academy’s 250th Anniversary Steering Committee, said. “This gala, which has brought together all parts of the Newark Academy family [over 600 people] — alumni [old and young], parents, current and former administration, faculty, and staff and current and former trustees — serves as testament to that commitment. We look forward to the continued vibrancy of the Academy over the next 250 years.”

The celebration brought together generations of Newark Academy alumni for — some of whom attended the school when it still resided in Newark — for an evening of reunions, tours, archival presentations, classes, magic shows, dancing, fireworks and more.

Founded in 1774, Newark Academy is older than the United States, and resided in Newark in four separate locations over the course of 190 years. In 1964, Newark Academy found its current 68-acre home on South Orange Avenue in Livingston, NJ.

Newark Academy is the alma mater of several notable alumni including:

· Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient First Lt. Samuel S. Coursen (Class of 1945)

· Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Jacobs (Class of 1988)

· Grammy-nominated Jazz Singer Stacey Kent (Class of 1983)

· Fields Medal Winner Daniel G. Quillen (Class of 1958)

· Playwright and Lyricist Burt Shevelove (Class 1933)

· United States Secretary of the Treasury Hon. William E. Simon (Class of 1946)

· Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Richard S. Thaler (Class of 1963)

· Pulitzer Prize Winner Dr. Salamishah Tillet (Class of 1992)

Today, NA continues to provide students in grades 6-12 with the knowledge and skills to become meaningful contributors to their communities and the wider world. The school has earned its outstanding reputation for transforming the lives of students through its dynamic program and student-centered approach, which enables NA students to develop a true love of learning.

For more information about Newark Academy, visit www.newarka.edu.