Newark to Open New Media High School as Film Industry Jobs Surge in New Jersey

The new school aims to prepare students for careers in film, TV, and digital content creation as production booms in the Garden State.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:00pm

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Newark Public Schools is opening a new high school called New Media High School in September 2026 that will focus on preparing students for careers in the film, TV, and digital content creation industries. This comes as New Jersey has seen a surge in film and TV production, with major studios like Lionsgate, Paramount Skydance, and Netflix opening new facilities in the state. The school will offer classes in areas like narrative filmmaking, short documentaries, editing, cinematography, and more, aiming to create a pipeline of local talent to work on these productions.

Why it matters

The new school represents an opportunity for Newark students to get hands-on training and experience in the growing film and TV industry in New Jersey. With major studios setting up shop in the state, there will be an increasing demand for skilled workers in a variety of production roles. New Media High School aims to equip students with the necessary skills and industry connections to take advantage of these new job opportunities without having to move to places like Los Angeles.

The details

New Media High School will be located in the former Dayton Street School building, which has already served as a filming location for productions like "Happy Gilmore 2." The school's curriculum will include classes in narrative filmmaking, short documentaries, editing, cinematography, and more, with capstone projects covering feature films, animation, and pitching/marketing. The school will partner with local organizations like the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Great Point Studios to provide students with industry experiences and apprenticeship/internship opportunities. Newark is also investing in workforce training programs to help prepare local residents for jobs on these film and TV productions.

  • New Media High School is scheduled to open in September 2026.
  • Lionsgate Studios Newark is set to debut in spring 2027 at a $125 million, 270,000-square-foot facility in Newark's South Ward.

The players

New Media High School

A new high school in Newark, New Jersey that will focus on preparing students for careers in the film, TV, and digital content creation industries.

Lionsgate Studios Newark

A $125 million, 270,000-square-foot film studio that is scheduled to open in Newark's South Ward in spring 2027.

Desireè Hadley

The director of the Newark Office of Film and TV.

Roger León

The superintendent of Newark Public Schools.

John Schreiber

The CEO of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, which is a stakeholder in a community benefits agreement with Lionsgate Newark and Great Point Studios.

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What they’re saying

“I'm Newark born and raised, and I wish that these opportunities were around when I was in high school. It would have been amazing to be able to attend a New Media High School or to even have exposure to what a production set is like.”

— Desireè Hadley, Director of the Newark Office of Film and TV

“We will have all these huge movie stars come into our community, but the city of Newark is making sure it covers the ground of just helping our residents, educating our residents on the industry.”

— Desireè Hadley, Director of the Newark Office of Film and TV

“It's not just about acting and directing. There's electricians, carpenters, rental truck companies … lumber companies, stages, postproduction … Whatever your passion might be, the film industry could be a way to take advantage of your passion.”

— Nick Day, President of the Screen Alliance of New Jersey and co-CEO of Newark's Edge Auto Rental

What’s next

Newark Public Schools is currently recruiting new teachers and accepting applications from eighth grade students interested in attending New Media High School when it opens in September 2026.

The takeaway

The opening of New Media High School and the surge of film and TV production in New Jersey represent a major opportunity for Newark students to gain hands-on experience and training for well-paying jobs in the entertainment industry without having to leave their community. This investment in local talent development could transform Newark into a hub for content creation and production in the years to come.