Located in Newark's downtown district south of Market Street, SoMa is a design and planning project that addresses the area's current and future needs. The master plan creates innovative teacher communities and integrates schools into mixed-use developments with residential, retail, and arts spaces. Both city residents and school users benefit: The regular influx of students, parents, teachers and staff becomes integral to the urban fabric. Increased pedestrian activity attracts new investment and businesses to the area. Simultaneously, teachers from the various school typologies will benefit from the camaraderie of their community through after-school interactions that are particularly critical for nascent teachers who often begin their careers in urban areas.

Working with SoMa's developer and planner, KSS Architects is designing a daycare and three charter schools in the development. Serving the Pre-K, K-4, 5-8, and K-8 populations, the schools will be located in two four-story mixed-use buildings with retail space on the public ground floor.

The novel project has presented interesting design challenges, such as the creation of a secure and safe "front yard" presence for students and parents in the active urban dynamic. The design team also must address city street constraints to coordinate busing and parent drop-off needs.