New Roads School

My introduction to New Roads started 14-15 years ago with our son who started in kindergarten. We were looking for a diverse school for both students and faculty and we were referred to visit New Roads by a friend of the family. After going through the interview process, we quickly learned that this was no ordinary private school but rather a unique learning institution that would help us parents raise good humans! We love New Roads for so many reasons but here are a few: loving our kids for who they are as individuals, pushing their academics at their pace, creativity for freedom of expression through the arts/music/sports, standing up for what they believe in, building relationships, college readiness and the list goes on! Our daughter currently in the 4th grade is enjoying the same experience as our son had and we could not be happier with New Roads! Our village rocks!

Our daughter attended NRS from K-12. Each step of the way the teachers, staff and administrators challenged and supported her unique journey. As a NRS student -athlete, she left high school well prepared to complete a dual major in Engineering and Music from Harvey Mudd College while running cross country and track. New Roads gave her a well rounded education that inspired her to go after what she sincerely enjoyed. She has a wonderful connection with the lifelong friends she made at NRS.

New Roads has been great for our family. From the first day on campus the school community was welcoming and open. They have navigated difficult topics with us as a family and the entire school "walks the talk", which is good to now. We have made strong connections with other families, met the most amazing kids, and have enjoyed all of the faculty and staff. Our child could not be happier and most importantly they LOVE school. This past year has been tough for our family, especially as a family of color, but New Roads has been the one solid in our life. They have helped us process this year and we have enjoyed the talks they have hosted and the way they have approached these issues with our students. My child is doing much better than their peers at other schools, and again-LOVES SCHOOL!!! I can't say this enough. This was the best choice we have made as a family and I am excited where to see where things will go from here.

Our daughter started in Kindergarten at New Roads in 2020 and we could not be more impressed with the quality of the education, the dedication of the teachers and the vision of the administrators. Although it's been a year like no other, the active support from the school, willingness to adapt by the teachers and genuine care for our child and family has been exceptional. There are many schools out there that have impressive brochures, websites and say the right things but fall short when it comes to delivering that reality. Covid has removed the veil for a lot of schools and in this case New Roads gets more impressive the more we see.

We were at NR for two years and it was not at all what they had presented to us in the tours and q&a. The kinder teacher is very traditional and only teaches to kids that fit inside the box. The kinder class actually had a 'take a break chair' in the corner of the classroom. The dean of the lower school changed in the few years we were there and so did the schools philosophies, which seemed to be ever changing depending on who was in charge at the time. They barely touched on social justice issues, no more than a good public school would do and the staff is hardly diverse, all elementary teachers are white. They don't seem to have a plan or policies in place, such as bullying which was rampant. Kids are not thoroughly taught phonics and decoding in the younger grades and it shows in their work, which also effects the kids confidence in their work. Quite a few teachers had left or been fired as well as aides in the few years we were there. 1/4 of each of my kids' class left every single year in the few years we were there too, which says a lot in itself.