REVIEW OF The New School BY parent, Rachel N

(4.5) Student Experience

My child enjoys attending school and often does not wish to leave at the end of the day. He likes the teachers and fellow students across all grade levels. He fully engages with the activities and extra-curricular opportunities the school has to offer. The school provides an environment where students of various ages and grade levels can interact. This helps build confidence as they mentor younger students through programs like reading buddies. It also offers younger kids encouragement when they receive support from their fellow students. Occasionally, my child has expressed disappointment when students in a split grade class achieve academic goals while he does not. However, when he does attain his goals, the class celebrates and acknowledges his achievements.

(4.5) School Leadership

The school leadership is clear about the mission of the school and ensures that all activities and the supporting curriculum tie back to the main pillars. I believe that issues are handled clearly and transparently. The administration is responsive to parents and students when there is a concern. Communication is consistent through school WhatsApp chats, emails, and the school newsletter. I would say they have a direct approach to handling discipline and keep parents informed. The Director greets students and parents at the door at the beginning and end of each school day.

(4) Teaching

The school maintains a solid curriculum. The teachers are experienced professionals who genuinely care about each child's specific needs. Although a student is assigned a grade level, if they excel in a particular subject, the grade level of work for that subject will be adjusted accordingly. A similar approach is taken for a child who is struggling; the work and support in that subject are modified to help them improve. Regular report cards and parent-teacher interviews are conducted. I find the teachers very approachable and honest in their feedback. They are also very receptive to constructive suggestions from parents. There have been occasions when I collaborated with the teacher to enhance my child's academic performance or to address a behavioural concern.

(4.5) Academics

The holistic approach to education is very important to my family. The New School focuses on math, reading, and spelling—all the classic subjects you would expect. The academics are applied using real-world situations such as gardening and cooking (reading a recipe, learning about fractions and measurements, etc.). They learn chemistry through in-class experiments. Children are taught critical thinking and problem-solving through chess programs. They learn to self-regulate through daily breathwork and spending time in nature. Community outreach also plays a role in understanding their place within a community. Regular field trips help students apply learned skills in real-life situations. They also have the opportunity to learn from experts in specific fields such as coding, art, and robotics. Students are encouraged to support and help one another. Learning does not happen just at the teacher's direction but through peer support, specialized seminars, and extracurricular programs. If I could request one improvement, it would be to communicate with parents about the academic focus of each month. This does happen, but it is not as consistent as I would like.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

I believe they do an excellent job of providing extracurricular opportunities. The children have the chance to play and learn tennis in the spring and fall. They had skating lessons for eight weeks in January and February. There is the opportunity to join the chess club, participate in the after-school art program, and attend after-school Bible study. This past autumn, the students had piano lessons as part of their school day. Toward the end of the school year, they have a sports day where they compete against other alternative schools. I would say the majority of activities are "for fun," although students find ways to make them competitive.

(4.5) Students

The student body is tight-knit and welcoming. Students are open and eager to invite others into the group. Smaller class sizes mean that teachers can assess student dynamics and address any issues should they arise. It is hard to believe, but all grade levels interact and play well together. The teachers support one another; as a result, students respond equally to all faculty. It truly feels like family during school pick-up and drop-off. Kids may have their squabbles, but these are resolved and addressed quickly. The school is busy and lively, but there are also moments of complete calm in the building (for example, breath work time). The overall vibe is positive and inviting, creating a very intimate atmosphere.

(5) School Life

My child loves attending the New School. He never complains about going to school and often doesn’t want to leave when the school day ends. I believe this is because he enjoys the social aspect of school and genuinely likes the people and environment he spends his day in. The school day isn’t just about being quiet and sitting at a desk to learn; he learns while being in nature, stretching for breath work, and during drama and music classes. There’s always something new and exciting each week. I don’t have any tips to improve "school life"; I believe it is perfect as it is. The students are in a clean, creative, and stimulating space. The school promotes a healthy diet and provides Kangen water for student consumption. If your values align with the pillars of the school, I would strongly recommend taking a tour. It is truly a place that practices what it preaches. They are passionate about offering children and families an alternative to the mainstream system. They aren’t influenced by some of the factors that guide traditional private schools. The kids at this school are encouraged to learn and engage with the world around them according to their cognitive development. They are taught independence, encouraged to ask questions, and appreciate a healthy lifestyle.

(5) Community

The parent community is very welcoming. In this school, you get to know the parents quite quickly. Parents have the chance to attend school events and some extracurricular activities. For example, at the end of the skating season, parents are invited to attend the last class and skate with their kids. There are also volunteer opportunities for field trips and extracurricular programs. Additionally, parents can volunteer to develop workshops. We had two fathers who ran a comic book workshop, which was a hit with the kids. The school encourages parent involvement, and any idea put forward will always receive fair consideration. I do not observe any cliques in the environment. Instead, there's simply a group of people who believe in providing quality education for their children. With this in mind, the school is open to supporting parents whenever it is appropriate.

(4.5) School Location

It is a quiet community along the Humber ravine. The kids venture out daily, weather permitting. I would say the school is part of their community. They have prepared meals for the elderly during Thanksgiving, sung Christmas carols, and even know some of the neighbourhood dog walkers. They host events where the community is invited, such as their Christmas market, which is an entrepreneurial project made up of student vendors.

(5) Admissions

The admissions process is straightforward, and the school is responsive to any questions you may have regarding the process or forms. There may be occasions when further discussions are necessary with the Director to finalize matters. My recollection is that it is as simple as this process can be. The Director is your contact for this process, as there is no Admissions Officer. I believe it took a couple of days to finalize my initial application, which was nearly two years ago.