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Newark Memorial principal highlights rising AP participation and new benchmarks in school spotlight
Summary
Principal Mike Murphy told the Newark Unified board that Newark Memorial High School has expanded AP, PSAT and SAT access, implemented quarterly benchmarks and seen improvements on the California dashboard though English learners and math remain areas of focus.
Principal Mike Murphy presented Newark Memorial High School’s progress to the board, highlighting growth in Advanced Placement participation, the school’s expanded offering of PSAT and SAT testing on campus and new quarterly academic benchmarks.
Murphy said roughly half of the student body now enrolls in at least one AP course and that while scores have room to improve, participation growth and targeted supports are driving progress. “When we arrived it was very dismal … today everything is green with the exception of English language learners and math,” Murphy said, noting initiatives including assemblies, quarterly benchmarks by department, expanded intervention for EL students, challenge‑day resiliency sessions and a Link Crew transition program.
Board members praised the presentation and asked about interim data streams and math strategies. Hana, the district director of teaching and learning, said the math challenge is statewide and staff are researching successful programs in other districts. The board encouraged continued use of midyear indicators to guide instruction and requested that Murphy and staff return with specifics about formative assessments and math interventions.
Murphy also noted that Newark Memorial will host its accreditation visit and promised to provide the board with an end‑of‑year activity outline. The spotlight concluded with board members inviting successful students to present at future meetings as part of community recognition.
