The West Ward, once a predominately Irish-American neighborhood, today is home to neighborhoods composed primarily of African-Americans and Haitians. Some of its most celebrated neighborhoods are located in the Vailsburg section, which includes Ivy Hill Park, providing outdoor recreation for adults and children alike.  The West Ward is represented by Council Member Ronald C. Rice.

The West Ward has 10 public schools, two police precincts, four fire stations, one branch library, and two daycare centers. Seton Hall University School of Law forms one of its borders.  

Mayor Cory A. Booker and the Newark Municipal Council is currently working with the City of Newark and the George Group to bring affordable and quality housing to the West Ward. Community outreach activities have been planned for the areas targeted for development to help ensure that residents of the ward are involved with the planning process from its start. To learn more about becoming a community canvasser, residents are encouraged to contact Aquarius Larkins at (973) 624-9535, extension 116.

    
West Ward Branch of the Newark Public Library

Vailsburg
75 Alexander Street


West Ward Public Schools

There are 10 public schools in the West Ward, listed below.

School	Address	Phone
Alexander Street	51 Alexander Street	(973) 374-2390
Boylan Street School	15 Boylan Street	(973) 374-2490
John F. Kennedy	311 So. 10th Street	(973) 733-6798
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.	108 So. 9th Street	(973) 733-7368
Lincoln School	87 Richelieu Terrace	(973) 374-2290
Mt. Vernon Place	142 Mount Vernon Pl.	(973) 374-2090
Speedway Avenue School	26 Speedway Avenue	(973) 374-2740
Thirteenth Avenue School	359 13th Avenue	(973) 733-7045
Vailsburg Middle School	107 Ivy Street	(973) 374-3295
West Side High School	403 So. Orange Avenue	(973) 733-6977