The awards were announced Tuesday by the Foundation for Newark's Future, the organization created to disburse the money.
BARD High School Early College Newark and Sakia Gunn High School for Civic Engagement each received $175,000 grants. Newark Leadership Academy, Newark BRIDGES High School and Newark S.T.E.A.M. Academy each received $125,000 grants. The five schools received an additional $50,000 each to help them open in the fall.
Besides Zuckerberg's donation, $44 million has been raised in matching grants from other foundations.
The project already has spent $1 million to survey residents on what school improvements are needed.
