Needham Heights

Newman has the potential to be a great school, but unfortunately the leadership of the school holds it back. During my children’s’ time at the school, there have been 4 different vice principals. The principal has a reputation among staff and some parents as being difficult to work with and this can impact everything from the quality of teachers hired to student safety. I know of several staff members who have left this school to work elsewhere in the District.

We are thrilled with our son's experience at Wellan so far. He started when he was just 15 months old, and the positive changes we've seen in the past year have been truly remarkable. The growth in his vocabulary and communication skills has been exponential and in multiple languages, and he's built tremendously on his genuine love for books and reading. What has impressed us most is his blossoming independence and maturity. The nurturing and stimulating environment has helped him become a more confident and capable little person.Beyond the individual growth, what makes Wellan truly special is its vibrant and inclusive community. The school actively celebrates diversity, and we love how different cultures are woven into the classroom experience. Through various festivals and activities, parents are encouraged to get involved and share their family's traditions, creating a rich, respectful, and welcoming environment for the children to learn about the world around them.The support for families is also outstanding. Wellan offers insightful parent workshops that have been incredibly helpful, providing us with valuable tools and knowledge that extend the learning principles into our home. This focus on partnership truly strengthens the community and makes us feel like a team in our child's education.We wholeheartedly recommend Wellan to any family looking for not just an excellent education for their child, but also a warm, diverse, and supportive community to be a part of.

I am NOT a current student, I’m a former student!So I was at this school for 5 years, and I have lots of experiences from it. They are very sexist to women. When a teacher needed help to carry something, I would never hear the words “can I have a couple people help me carry this?” It was always “can I have a couple STRONG BOYS to help me carry this?” They openly stated that if you’re gay, or part of the lgbtq+ community, you don’t belong here. Or if you even support it. Then they say how they are a loving community and support anyone. They threatened me and a couple other of my friends once, saying “if you don’t go to church, your gonna go to hell” and poor me was begging my parents to go church after that. They are not inclusive to people of other races. I’ve seen some 1st graders, who are another race, sitting in a corner playing with legos. They are not inclusive to students, either. I’ve been left out a lot, or just sitting in the freezing cold at recess, teachers who are watching don’t do anything. Please do not go to this school!!