The Newark, New Jersey high school is enjoying recent success on the football field and in the classroom

NEWARK, N.J. (WABC) — A high school in Newark’s South Ward is enjoying a string of notable recent successes, both in the classroom and on the football field.

On Wednesday, the Malcolm X Shabazz Bulldogs will take the field to compete for a state championship for the first time ever.

The game stars Rumson-Fair Haven and Malcolm X Shabazz from Newark.

The team has won its last six away games, an important milestone.

The success comes at a time when the school’s enrollment is surging, the graduation rate is increasing – from 58 to 70 percent as of 2021 – and more students are heading to college.

Some credit the streak of success to the school’s new principal, Atiba Buckman, and the athletic director.

A Brooklyn native, Buckman understands the challenges facing inner-city public schools.

“I think a lot of it was due to people moving out of the neighborhood, stereotypes around the South and things like that,” Buckman said.

Once near historic lows with just 170 students and low attendance, Shabazz now has a student body nearing 600 and growing.

Every student is required to take the SAT and dozens of students have scored over 1000.

“I like the environment and I like the way the teachers push me to do my best,” senior Jazmine Washington said.

Jazmine received additional support, attended classes on Sunday and scored a 1310 on her SAT.

Jazmine wants to attend Princeton.

Shabazz has become a school that emphasizes the whole family approach.

“We know everyone by name, the staff really bring the kids home, they really do because they are here until 6 and 7 p.m. The building is open seven days a week,” Buckman said.

Public schools in inner cities have been losing students as more charter schools and private schools recruit the best athletes.

Now these students are returning home.

Zaiden McDonald plays cornerback on the football team, and his work in the classroom and on the field has him looking at schools like Stanford and Ohio State.

“I attend AP school, all these kids see this and they are very inspired and motivated, and we try to run the school too,” McDonald said.

Omari Gaines from the soccer team is headed to Stanford in the fall.

“My parents always preach students first and athletes second, so the transition to high school really wasn’t difficult,” Gaines said.

Coaches take on the responsibility of helping young people be productive in life, not just on the field.

“I will sacrifice wins so that my players understand the importance of academics,” said Shabazz football coach Naz Oliver.

Shabazz is the only inner-city school to compete in a championship, and it could be the first in Newark.

———-

* Get eyewitness news

* More New Jersey news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Do you have a breaking news tip or idea for a story we should cover? Submit it to Eyewitness News using the form below. The terms of use apply to attaching a video or photo.