High School Student Day: October 21, 2022 (Registration Is Now Closed)

The heart of the Dodge Poetry Festival, High School Student Day introduces thousands of teenagers to poets from widely diverse backgrounds, offering them the opportunity to see the world from perspectives entirely unlike their own. It also offers many students the rare opportunity to meet working poets who are like them, and to experience first-hand that there is a larger world of like-minded people who welcome and understand them. This is exciting, inspiring and liberating for all of them, and life-saving for some.   

Although the Festival Poets on High School Student Day include former U. S. Poets Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winners, they are chosen not only for their talent, but for their ability to connect with students. The atmosphere of the day is one of mutual respect and generosity.   

As always, there will be a variety of simultaneous events, including readings, Poets on Poetry sessions, storytelling, musicians and discussions with over 50 poets, from the widely celebrated to some of the most promising and engaging younger voices. 

Pre-registered students and teachers are admitted at no charge to all daytime events.  Spaces are allotted to schools based on the total student population.  We take great care to ensure that our registration process includes students from the widest geographic range; urban, suburban and rural communities; all socio-economic levels; and the most culturally diverse populations. 

Registration for High School Student Day is now closed. 

Registered Festival Coordinators can find out more information about their responsibilities here.

Our walkable poetry village in Newark’s Downtown Arts District comes alive with readings, music and conversation. The 2022 Festival village will include: 

• Festival outdoor area with multiple food options 

• the largest poetry pop-up bookstore in North America, featuring book signings by participating poets 

• open reading sessions where students can share their own work 

Once again, high school students can return to the Festival on the weekend and attend for free!  Their accompanying chaperone or friend will receive 50% off their own Festival ticket. 

Please note that our current COVID-19 Safety Policy will require all Festival goers ages 5 and up to wear facemasks at all times when indoors. You can review our full COVID-19 Safety Policy here. We will update this page if and when any changes occur to our policy.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at: studentday@grdodge.org or (973) 695‐1190.