REVIEW OF The New School BY parent, Josephine Khan

(4.5) Student Experience

My child enjoys outdoor learning opportunities and the freedom to explore. He values being able to interact with his classmates, as well as connect with older students—for example, through activities like reading buddies. My child is exposed to a variety of activities outside of school that encourage perseverance and a willingness to try new things, such as tennis, skating, and more. My child enjoys taking on responsibilities, and his teacher often assigns him leadership roles where he helps younger students with their work. He especially loves Fridays, as it’s “show and tell” day—when students bring an item from home and give a short presentation to the class. He does feel disappointed when tennis lessons or library visits are cancelled due to weather, as he enjoys staying active and exploring books.

Why The New School?

The NEW School aligns with our family’s core values. We met with Ms. Angela, the founder, who walked us through a typical day for a student. What stood out most was the school’s transparency, its emphasis on independent thinking, its focus on teaching real-life skills, and its Christ-centred approach to education.

Expectations vs. Reality

The school has met—and even exceeded—our expectations. They support each child at their individual level and focus on strengthening the skills that need the most development. Teachers keep parents involved by communicating areas that require additional attention, helping students stay on track. They have also reassured us that they remain committed to supporting our son through any challenges, especially with social skills. Their approach is both caring and intentional, and as a result, our son has made significant progress. The only minor drawback—though not necessarily a negative—is that the ratio of boys to girls in our son’s class was not balanced, with a higher number of girls than boys.

Your Advice

The NEW School is an exceptional school with dedicated teachers and a founder who genuinely cares about the children. They lead by example and teach with intention, grounded in a strong spiritual foundation that is reflected in how students of all ages treat one another with kindness and respect. Our son had not attended daycare prior to starting Senior Kindergarten at The NEW School, so he had no previous experience in a structured educational environment or daily interaction with peers. The school worked closely with us to help him adjust—building his confidence, helping him become familiar with routines, and ensuring he felt safe and supported in expressing himself. The NEW School truly creates an environment where children are encouraged and supported to flourish.

(5) School Leadership

The NEW School maintains strong communication with parents, using a variety of tools to share updates on special events, reminders, and important information. They also use an interactive app where teachers regularly post photos, videos, and classroom updates, giving parents a meaningful glimpse into their child’s day. The school’s leadership and administration are attentive and responsive, addressing any concerns in a timely manner. They prioritize keeping parents informed, especially when issues require immediate attention. The school fosters a strong sense of community, treating families as partners and working together to create a supportive, family-like environment.

(5) Teaching

We are extremely happy with our son’s teacher. She strikes a wonderful balance between encouraging students to try new things and giving them the space to explore independently, while still providing guidance when needed. She thoughtfully adapts her approach to suit each student’s pace and learning style, and she challenges those who are ready for more advanced work. She also brings learning to life by incorporating real-world experiences and role play. For example, activities like running a “ski shop” allow students to explore what it’s like to work in a store—handling money and practicing customer service—as well as how to be a customer, such as asking questions and exchanging money for goods. The teacher provides fair and constructive feedback, helping me understand which areas my son needs support.

(5) Academics

The NEW School approaches its academic program with a clear intention. While they meet all grade-level expectations, they often go beyond to foster independence in their students. For example, Kindergarten students are dropped off at the main entrance and take responsibility for putting away their belongings, changing into indoor shoes, and organizing their lunches. This helps build routine, confidence, and self-reliance from an early age. Kindergarten students are given homework that reinforces their learning at home and helps parents better understand what is being taught and how their child is progressing. The school’s academic culture is supportive and encouraging. Students from different grades are often brought together, promoting mentorship, a sense of belonging, and a strong community feel—creating a safe and inclusive environment. Overall, The NEW School has truly prepared my son for the next step in his academic journey.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

The NEW School offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including art classes, Bible studies, music lessons, tennis, and STEM programs. These activities are engaging and enjoyable, helping to spark students’ curiosity while giving them opportunities to explore their creativity. As the school continues to grow and develop, there is potential for even greater opportunities in the future. With the current student population, the level of competition is appropriate and well-suited to support students’ development.

(5) Students

The student body is small and close-knit, with strong potential for growth. My son’s class has 10 students, and the teacher-to-student ratio works extremely well. It allows him to build meaningful one-on-one relationships with his classmates while still receiving individual attention from his teacher. The NEW School maintains a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and inappropriate behaviour. Students are guided and corrected when needed, and parents are informed if concerns arise. The school organizes outings for all grade levels, giving each age group the opportunity to take part in shared experiences beyond the classroom. They have also introduced a reading buddy program, where Kindergarten students are paired with older students. This helps younger students learn from their peers, build meaningful connections, and develop a better understanding of positive relationships. Overall, the relationships among students across all grade levels are grounded in mutual respect, kindness, and a genuine sense of community.

(4.5) School Life

My son truly enjoys going to school there. He looks forward to spending time with his friends, learning from his teacher, and participating in the variety of activities offered. He also thrives on structure and routine, which The NEW School does an excellent job of providing in a consistent and supportive way. One area for potential improvement would be offering some extracurricular activities during the school day. For younger students, especially, the school day can already feel quite long, and adding an extra hour afterward for programs like music can be overwhelming. Incorporating some of these activities into the regular schedule could make them more accessible and enjoyable. Another suggestion, especially as the weather becomes warmer, relates to the two outdoor periods the students have each day. One of these sessions could be dedicated to more open-ended, exploratory free play, allowing children to move, socialize, and engage with the outdoor environment at their own pace. The other session could be more structured, focusing on introducing simple outdoor activities such as soccer, skipping, hopscotch, and other age-appropriate games. This balance would support both creativity and physical skill development while making the most of outdoor time.

(5) Community

The NEW School actively encourages strong involvement from the parent community and regularly includes families in the wide range of activities students participate in. For school trips, parents are warmly welcomed to attend and join the experience, helping to create shared memories with their children. Overall, these experiences create a wonderful sense of connection, not only between parents and their own children, but also among all the families within the school community. The school also hosts special events throughout the year where parent participation is encouraged. Parents are often invited to volunteer or assist with coordination, helping to make these events successful and meaningful. For example, during the Christmas Concert, families are not only invited to attend but are also asked to contribute by bringing food and drinks for the brunch that follows the performance. This creates a warm, inclusive atmosphere where the school community comes together to celebrate.

(5) School Location

The NEW School often extends learning beyond the school grounds by engaging with the surrounding community and local facilities. Kindergarten students frequently visit nearby parks, where they explore nature and participate in outdoor learning experiences within their environment. Students also take part in tennis lessons at a local court, which they walk to as a group, adding both physical activity and real-world experience to their routine. In addition, they visit the local library in the neighbourhood at least once a week. These visits help students become familiar with community resources while also teaching important responsibility skills, such as borrowing books, caring for them, and returning them properly.

(5) Admissions

I would highly recommend that anyone considering applying for admission book a tour with the founder of The NEW School. She truly embodies the energy, spirit, and family-oriented culture of the school, and that warmth is immediately felt from the moment you meet her. She provides a clear and thoughtful overview of the school’s mission, its accomplishments to date, and its vision for the future, while also taking the time to ensure families fully understand what the school stands for. She answers questions with ease and transparency, making it simple to gain a strong and genuine understanding of the school’s values and day-to-day environment. What really stands out is how seamless she makes the entire admissions process feel. She is approachable, responsive, and readily available to provide clarification or guidance whenever needed, ensuring families never feel uncertain or overwhelmed. Throughout the admission process, she encourages open communication and invites parents to reach out at any time with questions or concerns. If any documentation or verification is required, she responds promptly and thoroughly, making the experience smooth, supportive, and well-organized from start to finish.