History
Construction of the high school was completed in 1932 and classes began in September 1933. Max J. Herzberg was the first Principal and remained as the leader of the high school for 18 years until his retirement in 1951.
The high school is home to the New Deal era mural "Enlightenment of Man" painted by Michael Lenson who was director of New Jersey mural activities for the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
The Weequahic section of Newark, which is the neighborhood sending students to the high school, was described as it was in the 1930s and early 1940s by Weequahic alumnus Philip Roth in The Plot Against America.
Weequahic High School has an active alumni association that raises scholarship monies for the students.
A documentary film, Heart of Stone (2009), is about Ron Stone, the recently deceased principal of the high school and his efforts to work with students and further the mission of the high school. This documentary was presented at the Sundance Film Festival and has been shown in selected venues.
Read more about this topic: Weequahic High School
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Is not redeemed from time, for history is a pattern
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—Jonathan Raban (b. 1942)