[3] This list represents the top 5% of the schools in the nation based on the number of AP, IB, and Cambridge exams taken divided by students graduating.

During October 1918, classes were suspended for three weeks due to the Spanish flu, which was particularly bad in the Philadelphia metro area.

The report listed various problems, calling the building an "inadequate fire trap" with "narrow halls", "inaccessible" outhouses and a basement "deep in mud and water."

[11] Currently, the Newark Academy Building belongs to the University of Delaware and is home to the Office of Public Relations.

[12] Local philanthropist Pierre S. DuPont was one of the main benefactors of the district when it sought construction money for the building, donating $125,000.

[13] Over 50% of the cost, about $19,000, was donated once again by DuPont, making the Newark Colored School one of the most expensive one room schoolhouses in the country (although it still paled in comparison in terms of facilities and faculty).

The first documented senior class trip, which stayed in the Lafayette Hotel in Washington, D.C. after traveling by train, took place in 1938.

When World War II arrived, many faculty members (and eventually several students) were either drafted or enlisted in the military.

Arthur Gribble, William Lehman, Anthony Gaskiewicz, Ollie Salminen, Oliver Suddard, and Eugene Campbell (Class of 1944); Frank Sanborn, Walter "Cueball" Martin, Howard Dean, "Ebbie" Lewis, "Alex" Zabenko, Robert Davis, Gerald Gilston, Lewis McCormick, Henry Hammond, Hugh McKinney, Herbert Murphy, Oscar Pickett and Thomas Runk (Class of 1945) all enlisted in the service prior to their graduations.

Following the war, an influx of families to the city of Newark (which only increased with the building of I-95 nearby) caused the student population to swell at a rate of nearly 15% a year between 1945 and 1960.

The High Street building was transformed into Central Middle School following the move and continued to serve the Newark community until 1981.

In October 1956, the 10–12th graders came to the Academy Street address, collected their books and walked a half mile to the new school.

The school itself was later expanded in 1970 in order to accommodate additional growth, adding the three-story E and D wings, a second cafeteria, a new library, and a second gym, which was among the largest in the area at the time.

1962 also saw the beginning of athletic excellence in cross country when the Yellowjackets won both the Blue Hen Conference and State Championships for the first time in school history.

Led by a trio of phenoms, Jake Correll (the Machine), Sami Bandak (the Spark Plug) and Jonathan Owens (The Big O), Newark defeated Brandywine High School 23–32 for the Conference Crown and earned the State title by 76-77 over Salesianum.

At its height, NHS had five ag teachers at that time, owned and harvested crop fields, and had a working farm shop.

The centerpiece of this program was the greenhouse behind the school, which was the largest in the state until falling into disrepair due to a lack of funding in the late 2000's and early 2010's.

The event was the brainchild of NHS 1978 grad the late Kay Cole Buglass, and welcomed alumni from all graduating years up till 2000.