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LEAD Charter School

This school network has 2 campuses. Find your child’s grade in the campus list and contact the school to confirm placement and current enrollment details.

Who can attend: LEAD serves Newark residents ages 16-21 who are not currently in school, are over-age, or are behind on credits. It is not a traditional high school for students moving directly from 8th to 9th grade - contact LEAD to confirm eligibility.

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Grades: Grade 10–Grade 12
Students (2025–26): 269

Source: NJ Department of Education, 2025–26 fall enrollment. This is the total reported for the school or network, not the number of available seats.

Enrollment

How to apply

School application

LEAD accepts applications year-round and serves eligible New Jersey residents ages 16–21 who are disconnected from traditional high school or are over-age or under-credited. Review the school's eligibility requirements before applying.

Enrollment contact: 862-772-1724 · RIE.INFO@leadcharterschool.org

View application information Read the application steps

Check the source for current application details.

Campuses (2)

201 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103

Lead Charter School - 201 Grades 10-12

201 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103 862-772-1724 Hours: 8:30 PM - 2:57 PM
Lead Charter School - 571 Grades 10-12

571 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ 07107 973-297-0592 Hours: 8:30 PM - 2:57 PM

Campus list from LEAD Charter School's website. Confirm campuses and grade openings with the school.

About this school

LEAD Charter School is New Jersey’s first alternative public charter high school, a tuition-free program designed specifically for young people ages 16 to 21 who have left school, are behind on credits, or are seeking a different path to a diploma. It is a program of the Newark Opportunity Youth Network and YouthBuild.

Programs and services reported by the school:

Diploma plus career credentials: students work toward a high school diploma while earning industry-recognized credentials in fields such as healthcare, construction, and technology.
Flexible pathways: year-round scheduling, individualized credit recovery, case management, and paid job-training opportunities.
A second campus: a Central Avenue location is planned to open in addition to the current Washington Street site.

Students apply directly through LEAD, not through Newark Common App or Newark Enrolls. Contact the enrollment team at 862-772-1724 or RIE.INFO@leadcharterschool.org. This is not a traditional high school for a student moving from 8th to 9th grade.

Program details above are reported by the school. Reported enrollment for 2025–26 is 269 students (NJDOE).

Transportation: All public elementary school students (grades K-8) who live more than two miles from their school and all public secondary school students (grades 9-12) who live more than two-and-a-half miles from their school are entitled to NJ Transit bus tickets. For more information: https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/departments/sba/operations/pupil-transportation/bus-tickets-faqs/
Sports and activities: No school sports teams; students may participate in sports through their neighborhood schools

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