Link Community School, Newark, NJ -- Admission FAQS

Link Community School
120 Livingston Street
Newark, NJ 07103
Tel 973-642-0529
Fax 973-642-1978
admission@linkschool.org
development@linkschool.org

Welcome from the Director • Important Dates • Tuition and Financial Aid • Scholarships and Grants • Admission Criteria • Application Procedures • Contact the Admission Office • FAQS

FAQS

General · Application Process · Tuition and Financial Aid · Student Body
Academic Program and Support · Student Life · Technology

General

What type of school is Link Community School?
Link is an independent middle school preparing students of all academic abilities for outstanding performance in high school. Currently, Link serves seventh and eighth grade students.

Why Link? What distinguishes Link from other schools?
Link creates a powerful learning community built on a dual emphasis on Core Values and Academic Excellence. Both aspects are fueled by an exceptional and highly dedicated staff, a commitment to differentiated instruction and integrated technology, regular and meaningful exposure to the arts (music, drama, and visual art) and extracurricular activities that broaden our students' horizons.

Application Process

What are the deadlines?
Completed applications are due on March 14th.

Is there an application fee?
No, there is no application fee.

How do I obtain an application?
Applications can be downloaded from this site by clicking here, are available for pick-up at the school, or can be mailed home. (mailed should link to inquiry page)

Will I need to schedule a visit or tour?
A visit or tour is encouraged as it will help applicants see all that Link has to offer. Open Houses provide an excellent avenue for this visit. Click here to see a schedule of Open Houses.

What factors are considered in selecting candidates for acceptance?
Candidates are evaluated based on grades and standardized tests from their elementary school, teacher recommendation, the personal interview and the written assessment.

Tuition and Financial Aid

What is the tuition?
Link spends over $16,000 to educate each student, but in an effort to make an independent school education available to families in Newark and the surrounding urban communities, Link asks parents to pay tuition on a sliding-scale based on household income. Most families are asked to pay between $800 and $2,500 per year, depending on household income.

Are there expenses in addition to tuition at Link?
All students must purchase the Link uniform. Gently worn uniforms are donated back to Link and made available to families at a nominal cost.

Link families are asked to support an annual candy drive, the Link Parent Association fundraiser, and to contribute towards graduation and yearbook expenses.

School supplies, such as paper, pens, notebooks, assignment pads, binders and books are provided by Link.

Student Body

How many students are at Link Community School?
The Link student body is comprised of approximately 120 students.

How many students are in each class?
No more than 16 students are placed in a class.

Where do students come from?
Students come from the central, south and north wards of Newark and surrounding communities, such as Irvington, East Orange, Orange, and Hillside.

What kind of student does Link look for?
Link seeks students who are committed to living the Core Values, working hard, and willing to strive for and take risks to achieve personal growth.

Academic Program and Support

What classes am I required to take?
Students take a core curriculum in English, history, science and mathematics, a co-curriculum in physical education, fine art, music, drama, technology, health, and a choice of an elective each quarter.

What electives are offered?
A wide range of electives is offered each quarter. Typical offerings include Introduction to Constitutional Rights, French, Yearbook, Share a Story, Tennis, Karate, Sally Ride Science for Girls, LCS Ambassadors, African Dance, Film, Debate, and Science Fiction.

How much homework will I have each night?
Teachers assign meaningful homework to reinforce daily lessons and to prepare for the next day. Students are expected to work hard and complete assignments both in and out of class.

What academic support is available?
Teachers evaluate students' learning styles and use differentiated instruction to ensure all learners are reached in the classroom. Students who can benefit from increased skill development in reading and writing take part in the special labs designed to support them. Additionally, Title I and volunteer tutors work with students in small groups and on an individual basis both during the school day and after school to provide support.

What academic enrichment is available?
Students with an expressed interest in an area or demonstrated mastery are invited to participate in extracurricular activities that enrich them, such as the Sally Ride Science Program for Girls. Additionally, students may be selected for advanced classes.

Student Life

Will I need to wear a uniform?
Yes, students wear a regular school uniform and a gym uniform for days on which they take a physical education class.

Will I have an opportunity to perform community service?
Community service, known at Link as "giving back to others," is evident in numerous student government sponsored projects, electives and extracurricular activities. Furthermore, students perform community service together as a graduation requirement.

What extracurricular activities can I participate in?
Students have opportunities to participate in a wide array of activities that broaden their horizons including Saturday morning fencing in NYC, clinics in lacrosse, soccer, football, tennis, and ice hockey, competition in basketball, volleyball and flag football leagues, weekly mentoring programs, summer day and sleepover camps. Depending on the availability of volunteers, other programs, such as a stock club and entrepreneur club have been offered.

Technology

What technology is used at Link Community School?
Technology is a powerful tool in both the preparation and delivery of classroom lessons. It is additionally a tool in differentiated instruction to reach all learners. Teachers integrate technology in the curriculum by using the computer lab, NJN Digital Classroom, SmartBoards (each classroom is equipped with one), mobile computer labs, additional Smart technology and various software applications.

How will I be expected to use technology at Link?
Students are instructed in basic typing, all major applications of Microsoft (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and internet research. These skills are developed through class based projects in both core and co-curricular subjects.