Arts High School

Today we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the Arts High School Class of 2026! Your hard work, creativity, perseverance, and dedication have brought you to this exciting milestone, and we couldn't be prouder.
Join us LIVE at 9:30 AM as we honor our graduates and celebrate the next chapter of their journey. Click the link below to watch the ceremony and help us cheer on the Class of 2026 as they prepare to shine even brighter!
https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/ART/events/arts-high-school-graduation-class-of-2026/

🎭🎶🎨 Congratulations, graduates! Your Arts High family is proud of you, and we can't wait to see all that you accomplish.

Arts High School proudly celebrates Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and recognizes the enduring journey toward equality, justice, and opportunity for all.
As we reflect on the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans throughout history, we encourage our school community to learn, celebrate, and honor the legacy of those who paved the way for future generations. Together, we continue to uplift voices, embrace culture, and inspire positive change.
Happy Juneteenth from Arts High School! 💚🩶❤️

Today, we proudly congratulate Ms. Herbert, our dedicated school nurse, on receiving the Rising Leaders Appreciation Award from ADAPT and Family Connections!
Ms. Herbert’s unwavering commitment to the health, well-being, and success of our students and staff makes a difference every single day.
Her compassion, professionalism, and leadership creates a safe and supportive environment where our school community can thrive.
This well-deserved recognition is a testament to the positive impact she has on the lives of so many.
We are grateful for all that she does and are honored to celebrate this achievement with her.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Herbert on this outstanding accomplishment!
💚🩶

We are incredibly proud of Nilah Rivera, who represented Arts High School at the Newark Board of Education's Senior Thesis Day held at the Dr. Marion A. Bolden Student Center.
Selected to represent Arts High by her English teacher, Ms. Volmar, Nilah showcased the hard work, research, critical thinking, and dedication that define the excellence of our students. She was accompanied by Ms. Volmar, whose guidance and support helped prepare her for this important academic achievement.
Nilah's participation reflects the talent, perseverance, and academic excellence that continue to make Arts High a leader in education and the arts.
Congratulations to Nilah on this outstanding accomplishment!
Your Arts High family is proud of you.
It's Time to Shine! 💚🩶

Please come out and support our graduating artists at their upcoming Senior Exhibition on Thursday, June 4, promptly at 3:00 PM.
This special showcase highlights the creativity, talent, and dedication our seniors have developed throughout their journey at Arts High School. We look forward to seeing our school community, families, and friends there!
📢 Seniors: Please remember to wear your Exhibition Black attire.
See you there! 🎨🎶🎬

Our students are taking their learning beyond the classroom!
Students from Miss Amorim’s AP Literature class were invited to present at a College Board AP Event hosted at Science Park High School. During the event, they had the opportunity to showcase their work, share creative approaches to learning, and discuss how the skills they have developed in AP Literature will support their future success in college and beyond.
We are incredibly proud of our students for representing our school with confidence, insight, and excellence. Their voices and experiences highlighted the power of rigorous academics, creativity, and student leadership.
Congratulations to these AP Literature students on this remarkable achievement!

And the results are in…..🏆💚🩶🐆🎶
Music in the Parks Competition 2026

Arts High Symphonic Choir 1st Place Mixed Choir Superior Rating

Arts High Concert Choir 1st Place Treble Choir
Superior Rating

Piano Major Bradley Machado, student of Mx. Gurak, Best Student Accompanist Award on Djembe

Arts High Symphonic Choir Overall High School Choir Award for earning the highest score for high school choir in the festival

Today, a group of 9th and 10th grade artist-scholars were selected to attend the Lumi Story AI Student Showcase, a culminating celebration of student authorship, at Malcolm X. Shabazz High School.

In their English classes, 9th and 10th grade students were tasked with completing a narrative story on the AI writing platform, Lumi. With Lumi Story AI, students were able to leverage AI tools to brainstorm ideas, develop characters, storyboard scenes, and draft enthralling narratives. Through the support of AI, students were also able to make their stories come to life with illustration (i.e. graphic novels, comic books). The strongest narratives were nominated by our teachers and admin to represent Arts High School at the showcase.

9th grader, MiaBella Paneque-Santiago, was selected as 1 of the 10 finalists in the district, and presented her exceptional story, “2084,” to an audience of peers, NBOE, Lumi, and civil rights activist, Colin Kaepernick.

The Lumi Story AI Student Showcase highlighted authentic literacy engagement, student voice, creativity, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence as a learning tool. Students were able to share their work, celebrate their growth as writers, and participate in a meaningful academic experience connected to reading, writing, creativity, and digital literacy.

Congratulations to everyone involved. We are extremely proud. It’s Time to Shine!

Today, we are beyond honored to welcome a true legend as our Principal for the Day — the incomparable Melba Moore!

An award-winning singer, actress, and proud Arts High alumna, Mrs. Moore continues to inspire generations through her incredible contributions to music, theater, and the arts.

From Broadway stages to chart-topping hits, her legacy shines brightly and reminds our students that greatness begins with passion, dedication, and believing in your dreams.

Thank you, Mrs. Moore, for spending the day with our Arts High family and showing our students what it truly means to lead with excellence and artistry.

At Arts High School, It’s Time to Shine! 🌟

Last week we had the opportunity to have Newark’s very own Tony Award winner Nikiya Mathis!

Nikiya Mathis is a classically trained actress and Hair/wig designer from Newark, NJ. She is an alum of University High, Temple University and holds an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

As a multi-hyphenate, She currently recurs in the role of N’kiyah Franklin in POWER BOOK 3 RAISING KANAN on STARZ. Her other TV credits include THE BLACKLIST, CHICAGO MED, BRAINDEAD, NEW AMSTERDAM, BLUE BLOODS, THE NIGHT OF, and others. She is the recipient of the 2024 Special Tony Award for her recent work on Jaja's African Hair Braiding, the first Wig designer to ever receive a special Tony award for a specific work. And one of two wig designers to ever recieve the highest honor in theater.