FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Innovation High school holds admission lottery
300+ students seeking admission in response to school’s very successful first year
March 10, 2015
Jersey City, NJ – Innovation High School, a new public high school in Jersey City which opened its doors
this past September, has had such a high level of interest amongst 8th grade students that it will hold a
lottery for its 110 spots for its next 9th grade class. Innovation HS offers a focus on Science, Technology,
Engineering, Art and Math, (STEAM) and is supported by strong partnerships with New Jersey City
University (NJCU) and the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA). Over 300 students will be entered in
the lottery which will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 7 PM in the auditorium at Snyder High
School. Last year, the school also held a lottery with about 160 students seeking 110 spots.
Superintendent, Dr. Marcia V. Lyles noted, “We are thrilled that the number of families interested in
innovation has doubled from last year. It affirms our commitment to provide high quality choices to the
families of Jersey City.” Principal Frank Iannucci added, “I am excited by the increase in interest in
Innovation. The students and staff have worked hard to build Innovation High School; their hard work
and dedication have truly paid off.”
Innovation HS was created to address the need for more high school options for students that are open
to all and do not have an admission screen. The only requirements for entry to Innovation is that
students have an interest in at least one of the STEAM fields, be willing to participate in the school’s
extended day program and commit to taking on college level work before leaving high school. Its
partnership with NJCU, which sits directly across the street from the school, supports this part of its
mission. University faculty have been involved with the school since before it opened and have invited
Innovation students to campus for academic activities. University faculty have also worked with
Innovation’s teachers and visited classes at the high school. Next year, some 10th grade students will get
the opportunity to take college courses at NJCU as well. All students are currently involved in hands-on
projects with input from NJCU faculty that integrates their academic courses with STEAM activities.
As a small high school, Innovation provides a lot of personal attention to its students and in addition to
strong academics, offers a very supportive environment. The Institute for Student Achievement (ISA)
helps school faculty lead student advisories which are small groups of students who meet together to
address student social and emotional development and ensure that students have a strong relationship
with at least one teacher. ISA also helps teachers design rigorous learning experiences for students who
enter at a wide range of skill and experience levels.
Student enthusiasm is high at the school. Many current students will be on hand at the lottery to serve
as resources for newly admitted students. “Our current freshman will serve as ambassadors in sharing
the opportunities and positive experiences they have received at Innovation,” said Ellen Ruane,
Associate Superintendent of Secondary Education.
Innovation High School is co-located on the Snyder High School campus with its own entrance facing
John F. Kennedy Boulevard and NJCU. The lottery will be held in the Snyder HS auditorium and is open
to the public. Every candidate will be assigned a number and numbers will be selected randomly.
Students who are assigned one of the first 110 numbers selected will be admitted to Innovation. Once
the first 110 seats are taken, numbers will be drawn to place students on the waiting list. Students do
not have to attend in order to win a seat in the class of 2019. All students will be notified of the
outcome after the lottery is complete.
Contact: Maryann Dickar
201-915-6210
mdickar@jcboe.org
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