The New School

At The New School, we make the school fit the child not the child fit the school.
Founded in 1995, The New School is an ungraded, age-mixed, liberty-based, free school serving children ages 6 to 19.
At The New School, every study is driven by student inquiry, not text book coverage.
We begin with a student`s question, help them refine it, determine what we are trying to accomplish and our approach, collect our resources, meet, discuss, practice, learn, and evaluate our comprehension. While there are no standardized tests, critical evaluation is an integral part of every conversation or study because any study worth doing is worth doing well.
At The New School, students gain the habits of mind of rigorous thought including critical inquiry and analysis, the skills of articulate expression, both spoken and written, and the ability to engage in both independent and collaborative work.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Inquire with school
  • Enrollment: 26 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $7,500
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Inquire with school
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1995
Summer School Offered
Yes

Student Body

Total Students
26 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
19%
State avg.: 28%

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
5 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
17%

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost

School Notes

  • At The New School, students learn in the way beat suited to them: independently with a mentor, in small groups, or as an apprentice with a master from the larger community. Studies can be pursued experientially and hands on; through discussion, or through reading and research, or a combination of these. In every approach, the development of rigorous thought and articulate expression are essential.
  • To become a competent adult, one must practice adult competencies. In addition to intellectual and academic pursuits, students share with the staff the responsibility of managing and maintaining the school: its fiances, physical plant, adminstrative duties, and disciplinary procedures.
  • To date, 39 strudents have received diplomas from The New School, 82 % have gone on to higher education and pursued careers as lawyers, economists, chefs, electrical engineers,writers, clothing designers, teachers, computer programmers, botonists, and neuroscientists, among others. Some have through apprenticeships or self-education become carpenters, horse trainers, welders, or farmers, etc. Of the 39 graduates, 44% have started or run their own or others' businesses. The New School is education for the courageous, inquisitive, and independent-minded.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The New School cost?
The New School's tuition is approximately $7,500 for private students.
When is the application deadline for The New School?
The application deadline for The New School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (5 reviews)
5  
Our son has been attending The New School for the past several years. We're impressed that it's just not focused on intellectual pursuits but also on the wellbeing and emotional side of things when interacting with others. Being exposed to freedom vs. structure helps prepare students for the real world and learning to be self led.
- Posted by
5  
My son is almost 7, and has attended The New School for a year and a half. At the school, he has lots of opportunities to play outside and explore, to make up games with other students his age, and to observe older students and adults engaged in academic activities. While spending much of his time playing, and with a minimal amount of class time, he has learned to read and do arithmetic very well, and to tell stories and make arguments surprisingly effectively. The attention given to each student and his needs and abilities is very impressive.
- Posted by
5  
Walking into The New School, you can feel the richness of the learning environment. You`ll see pockets of the older students deep in discussion about weighty topics. You`ll see waves of younger ones playing freely inside and out. You`ll see staff members nearby to coax them toward an educational turn, with the subtlety and effectiveness borne from years of experience and keen familiarity with each student. Sometimes it looks smooth, but usually it`s messy and chaotic and gritty and robust. But The New School never settles for superficial. They are driven by a passion to help kids think deliberately and grow into true members of society - not just spectators. Here kids learn as much about themselves as about anything, and they become better people for it.
- Posted by
5  
We sent our 6 year old to this school because we saw public school just wasn`t capitalizing on her love of learning. We have received so many blessings over the past 10 years she has been there. We are happy our other two children go there, too. They are learning how to be engaged citizens in a community, how to be responsible for the direction of their own lives and how to face many different challenges with people and themselves. Our children truly believe anything is possible with hard work, determination and skills. This school welcomes situations that often baffle families in public schools. If you are discouraged with a broken school system and disengaged youth - the New School may be for your child!
- Posted by
5  
This school will teach your child how to learn, how to communicate, and how to find and defend their place in society. Here, your child can engage and learn whatever takes their interest, with guidance from staff members who really care about your child. My child is currently focused primarily on coding, but there is just no limit to what your child can study to their hearts content. I''m so glad I rescued my kid from his miserable public school, he has grown so much as an individual.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Inquire with school
  • Enrollment: 26 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $7,500
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Newark, DE is $13,646 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

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