REVIEW OF The New School BY parent, Allison Darch

(5) Student Experience

Our child’s experience at The NEW School has been impactful, life-changing, and unlike anything we’ve encountered before. Nothing has met our son’s needs as fully as this program - a place where he can be outdoors, engaged in learning that feels practical and purposeful, and supported within an environment rooted in care, creativity, and self-love. The teachers, along with founder Angela, bring a rare level of passion, presence, and vision. Our son doesn’t feel like he is simply attending school; he feels part of something meaningful - something he is helping to grow and contribute to. He especially loves the hands-on, real-world work the school engages in. Whether it is making scones for the school’s “Pitch and Pour” evening or creating business plans to attract potential investors for schoolyard upgrades and garden market initiatives, the work feels relevant and naturally captures the students’ attention and engagement. The language and values woven into each day - truth, love, and freedom - deeply resonate with him. He feels capable, inspired, and genuinely excited to show up.

Why The New School?

Our decision to become part of The NEW School can best be described as God-led and deeply synchronous. We came across the website almost by accident, yet as we read further, it quickly felt aligned. Angela’s story - particularly her experience within the public system and her desire to create something different for her own children - resonated strongly with our own. Before long, we found ourselves visiting the school, meeting Angela, and experiencing the beautiful grounds firsthand. The space itself felt expansive and full of opportunity, offering a rich balance of outdoor and indoor activities, movement, and meaningful experiences. As we continued to learn more about the school’s mission and vision, it became clear that a Christ-centred, heart-focused approach to education was exactly what we had been seeking. The alignment felt natural and undeniable.

Expectations vs. Reality

The school initially aligned with our expectations as a new model - smaller, child-centred, and intentionally designed around what students truly want and need. The emphasis on outdoor movement and time in nature was especially compelling, as we knew our child would not experience that same level of activity in a traditional classroom setting. As the year progressed, however, the school began to exceed our expectations in meaningful ways. The level of care and attention within the classroom, the integration of spiritual values - peace, love, joy, patience, and kindness - and the natural unfolding of a Christ-centred learning environment have been remarkable. Angela’s dedication is evident in every aspect of the school’s growth. She consistently brings in professionals across a wide range of disciplines, including musical theatre, chess, tennis, piano, art, and language, while also teaching in the classroom herself. Beyond academics, students are given opportunities to explore entrepreneurship and develop real-world skills such as managing money. What began as a strong alignment has grown into something far greater. This is not simply a school - it feels like a movement, and we are deeply supportive, inspired, and grateful to be part of it.

Your Advice

Parents considering this school should be prepared to step into a model of education that is likely very different from anything they have personally experienced. Because it is new and unfamiliar, there can be a natural pull toward what is known and comfortable - even if it no longer feels fully aligned. My advice would be to lean into that discomfort with trust and openness. This school invites families to walk in faith toward a long-term vision and to become part of a deeply supportive and evolving community. There is something special about being involved at this stage - when the foundation is still being shaped, and the potential is so evident. With that comes a sense of shared purpose. Choosing this path may require courage, but it also offers the opportunity to be part of something meaningful and forward-thinking. Trust the decision, stay open to the experience, and allow yourself to grow alongside it - you will not be disappointed.

(5) School Leadership

What stands out most about the school’s leadership and administration is the clarity, consistency, and intention behind their communication and values. Expectations are not only well-defined but are woven into the daily experience of the school, creating a strong and cohesive environment for students. We have been especially impressed by the school’s communication with families. Newsletters and regular updates are thoughtful, informative, and engaging - offering insight into both the day-to-day life of the school and broader conversations around education, while also inviting meaningful parent involvement. Teachers and staff are present, approachable, and open in their communication. Any concerns or challenges are addressed with care, respect, and a clear intention toward positive resolution. Discipline is handled thoughtfully, with a focus on growth, understanding, and development rather than punishment. Overall, the leadership fosters a positive, supportive environment where students and families feel informed, heard, and valued.

(5) Teaching

The teaching at The NEW School reflects a genuine passion for both the model and the quality of education being offered. The teachers clearly believe in the school’s values and consistently honour them through thoughtfully designed lesson plans, engaging activities, and meaningful daily interactions with students. We are very happy with the quality of instruction. The teachers are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and bring their own unique strengths and personalities into the classroom, creating a dynamic and supportive learning environment. Their communication with both students and parents is open and effective, and feedback is delivered in a constructive and encouraging way. Our son has always felt safe, supported, and genuinely cared for within the school. He is able to be himself while also being gently guided and redirected when needed. He responds well to the clear and reasonable expectations set by his teachers and takes pride in meeting them. Overall, we feel he is both challenged and supported in a way that allows him to grow with confidence.

(5) Academics

For our family, academics have always been secondary to how our child feels within the classroom environment. It has been a priority that he feels supported, trusted, and able to show up as he is - confident, accepted, and safe in his learning journey. Within that foundation, the academic program at The NEW School offers a thoughtful balance of challenge and support. Teachers encourage him to stretch beyond his comfort zone while also recognizing and supporting areas where he may need more time or guidance. He is treated as an individual, not pushed beyond readiness, but gently guided forward as his confidence grows. One of the program’s greatest strengths is its relevance. Learning feels practical, real-world, and meaningful, which allows our son to engage more deeply and apply what he is learning to life beyond the classroom. This creates a purposeful and motivated academic atmosphere. While the model may differ from more traditional academic structures, we feel confident that it is equipping him with both the mindset and the skills needed for future success - including a strong foundation in financial literacy and real-world thinking.

(5) Extracurriculars

We cannot say enough about the quality, accessibility, and diversity of the extracurricular opportunities offered at The NEW School. The programs feel intentional, engaging, and thoughtfully designed to support a wide range of interests and talents. One standout is the Bible STEM program, which offers a unique and meaningful way for students to explore biblical teachings through hands-on learning. It is unlike anything we have encountered before. In addition, opportunities such as March Break camps, art classes, and piano instruction with an exceptional teacher further enrich the student experience. The school also provides ways for students to engage beyond regular school hours, which has been both unique and deeply appreciated. These offerings create a well-rounded environment where students can explore, develop skills, and build confidence in both structured and creative settings. Overall, we feel the school provides an excellent context for developing well-rounded students, with opportunities that support both personal enjoyment and growth.

(5) Students

The student body at The NEW School reflects the values of the school in both its relationships and overall atmosphere. The smaller size creates a close-knit, supportive environment where students are known, seen, and genuinely cared for by both teachers and one another. What stands out most is the spirit of connection within the community. There is a noticeable sense of empathy, respect, and inclusion in how students interact. While conflicts and mistakes naturally arise, they are approached as opportunities for growth rather than punishment. Students are encouraged to communicate openly, express their feelings, and work through challenges in a healthy and constructive way. This dynamic fosters confidence, authenticity, and emotional awareness - qualities that are deeply important to us. We truly value the quality of relationships within the classroom and feel that the school’s spiritual foundation is consistently reflected in the way students treat one another.

(5) School Life

We feel incredibly grateful that our son is genuinely excited to attend school each day. This has not always been our experience, and it speaks volumes about how supported, valued, and engaged he feels within this environment. He is committed to the routines and activities, eager to participate, and rarely wants to miss a day. He loves being at school - spending time with his classmates, learning outdoors, and engaging in active, meaningful experiences. The environment has clearly fostered a strong sense of confidence in him, and it has been a joy to watch him grow and develop new strengths over time. The overall quality of student life at The NEW School feels positive, supportive, and enriching. Students are encouraged to be themselves while also being guided toward growth and responsibility.

(5) Community

The NEW School believes in community involvement and contribution, which was something that immediately drew us to the school and some of its initiatives. When our son was involved in cooking food for an elderly neighbour in the community, it left us feeling that this school was doing something very special and believed in something much bigger than enrolment and numbers. What also stands out most about the broader community at The NEW School is the sense of shared commitment and connection among families. Parents are not only welcomed but actively encouraged to be involved in the life of the school, creating a truly collaborative and supportive environment. There are many opportunities for participation, and it is clear that a holistic experience for students is supported by engaged and present families. For us, this has meant recognizing that our son’s growth is not separate from our own involvement - we are part of the experience as a family. While the level of commitment may be higher than in more traditional school settings, it has been meaningful and rewarding. The school values parent voices, and we have felt heard, included, and appreciated throughout our time there. Overall, we have embraced the opportunity to contribute and be part of building a community that feels intentional, aligned, and deeply valuable for our child.

(5) School Location

The students at The NEW School make use of the Humber River access, parks and natural areas around the neighbourhood daily! They are out and about every day, whether it is accessing the soccer field for a game, going for a nature walk and spotting cranes in the river (!) or seeing nature in all its rhythms and cycles. The students have fished, swam, played tennis and utilized many of the facilities in the area. This is an ideal location for a school, and with the move to a larger building with more classrooms, space for all ages, access to all the amentities it has become all the more accommodating for a growing school population and community!

(5) Admissions

The admissions at The NEW School are personal and touchable. We felt very attended to and were treated with care and individuality. We have had other experiences with private school entrance that felt more distant and ranked - like we were being evaluated for fit based on academics first but it has always been important to us that we feel confident we would be building a relationship during our son's school journey with the families and teachers and school community - that we were a part of something and the fit has been ideal for us. We have always been treated with respect and love and care - our questions are answered, and we are not guessing about what is expected or what will be offered. And everything is backed up with commitment and follow-through. We have full trust in the new school, are proud of its growth and direction and look forward to seeing how it all evolves in the future!