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I feel as though there aren''t enough words to express how grateful I am that The New School exists and for what a wonderful environment it''s created for my children and their peers. TNS is a truly exceptional school where curiosity isn''t just welcomed and encouraged, you can observe it as the foundation of everything the children and teachers engage in. Watching our children have an active participation in their education, thinking critically and diving into their school experience is truly amazing and we have TNS to thank for that. Each child is encouraged and nurtured here, and their unique strengths are seen and pushed by the staff here. That confidence has led to an academic improvement in our kids I''m not sure would be possible at just any school. So happy this school exists for my children and all students to come! Can''t recommend enough.

A lot of us have reservations about our kids education. We want to be the kind of parents whose kids are hard-working, critical thinking, creative, collaborative, and kind. When we look at public schools we see a system populated by well-meaning people yoked under constraints poorly-aligned with that aspiration. Likewise private schools often seem to concentrate on a set of academics that mimic what's done in the public space without ever admitting that there may be a better alternative.During the Covid lockdown I watched up close as our kindergartener suffered through the ridiculous, blunt-object structure of public school. We pulled him out and moved to a school based on the Sudbury model. This was too far a swing. Kids are natural learners but they do need guidance. They need teachers with a high EQ who encourage them to struggle productively. This is all a long-winded way of saying that like many of you reading this we thrashed around with the difficult choices available because there are a lot of ways to second guess yourself.We arrived at the New School and haven't looked back. This school has a long history of helping children to become everything we'd hoped. Their track record goes back decades. The students develop into entrepreneurs, artists, and talented professionals. Here the kids work collaboratively, in age-banded classes to tackle projects. I don't know if my boy is going to be a Navy Seal, a businessman, an engineer, or something else entirely. What I know, what I'm sure of, is that spending this decade working on projects with others (and learning early just how important that is) will be far better for him than filling in dots and learning to write in cursive.This school prepares kids for real life.I'm a real parent. This is a real review. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]

We stumbled upon the New School when exploring options for our daughter for the next year of her education. The New School wasn't around the corner and was a 40-45 minute drive from us, therefore it was never on our radar. We also weren't decided if we were going to leave the school she was currently enrolled as she was happy with a close knit group of friends. Due to the ever changing climate of small private schools, we felt it was important to visit multiple schools to have a handle on each in the event we would ever make a change. We decided let's make a visit, despite the distance, to see what they are truly about because the philosophy spoke to us. We entered not knowing the trajectory of our daughter's educational path would soon change. When you walk in to the New School you are usually greeted by a child and or the happy faces of TNS staff. The middle schoolers (older class) are kind, polite, and will hold a conversation (not like most teens and preteens) and ask how your day is!-many times the middle older and younger classes can be intertwined learning a lesson or giving a helping hand. This was eye opening to see how positively these children were impacted by their environment. We loved what the directors had to say, and it truly felt like a family. Each individual child is valued and not only are academics a priority, but the importance of social development and importance of social development, kindness, and conflict resolution. The director advised us they recommend a 2 day trial for the child-basically to see if they were a fit for us and if she were a fit for their environment. We were nervous about sending our daughter for their 2 day trial days for the upcoming year-number one as she may be confused why and what to expect, but also putting her in a class for 2 days with children that have been together for 7 months. When we arrived for pickup, our daughter ran out smiling, laughing, ans playing with another child. It was like she was growing in front of our eyes-brave to go and see what TNS was about. She told us how much she loved it and that she wanted to graduate from her current school and go to TNS at that moment! The teacher and aids said she had a great day-she truly was herself and she even gave the other children a few puppet shows! Seeing her smile and laughter after a few hours there was beautiful and eye opening how truly special this environment is.We quickly made the transition and she has absolutely thrived at TNS ever since. Our daughter is happy, confident, thriving, and growing both socially and academically. The children take pride in their learning, have unique experiences such as educational class trips, outdoor lessons, and huge school wide projects. Children are shown love, respect, and are recognized for who they are, not what they are not. If you are looking for an alternative learning environment for your child-a place where academic and social development are individual based, tests aren't the answer, and experiences and group learning foster the child's inner imagination and natural love for learning, don't hesitate to make the visit-even if 45 min away! It is worth it!

We stumbled upon the New School when exploring options for our daughter for the next year of her education. The New School wasn't around the corner and was a 40-45 minute drive from us, therefore it was never on our radar. We also weren't decided if we were going to leave the school she was currently enrolled in as she was happy with a close-knit group of friends. Due to the ever-changing climate of small private schools, we felt it was important to visit multiple schools to have a handle on each in the event we would ever make a change. We decided let's make a visit, despite the distance, to see what they are truly about because the philosophy spoke to us. We entered not knowing the trajectory of our daughter's educational path would soon change. When you walk into the New School you are usually greeted by a child and or the happy faces of TNS staff. The middle schoolers (older class) are kind, and polite, and will hold a conversation (not like most teens and preteens) and ask how your day is!-many times the middle older and younger classes can be intertwined learning a lesson or giving a helping hand. This was eye-opening to see how positively these children were impacted by their environment. We loved what the directors had to say, and it truly felt like a family. Each individual child is valued and not only are academics a priority, but the importance of social development and importance of social development, kindness, and conflict resolution. The director advised us they recommend a 2-day trial for the child- basically to see if they were a fit for us and if she was a fit for their environment. We were nervous about sending our daughter for their 2 day trial days for the upcoming year-number one as she may be confused about why and what to expect, but also putting her in a class for 2 days with children that have been together for 7 months. When we arrived for pickup, our daughter ran out smiling, laughing, and playing with another child. It was like she was growing in front of our eyes-brave to go and see what TNS was about. She told us how much she loved it and that she wanted to graduate from her current school and go to TNS at that moment! The teacher and aide said she had a great day-she truly was herself and she even gave the other children a few puppet shows! Seeing her smile and laughter after a few hours there was beautiful and eye-opening how truly special this environment is. We quickly made the transition and she has absolutely thrived at TNS ever since. Our daughter is happy, confident, thriving, and growing both socially and academically. The children take pride in their learning and have unique experiences such as educational class trips, outdoor lessons, and huge school-wide projects. Children are shown love, and respect, and are recognized for who they are, not what they are not. If you are looking for an alternative learning environment for your child place where academic and social development are individual-based, tests aren't the answer, and experiences and group learning foster the child's inner imagination and natural love for learning, don't hesitate to make the visit-even if 45 min away! It is worth It!

To echo another parent's statement, The New School of Monmouth County is absolutely a hidden gem. Discovering this unique, project-based learning environment has been the biggest blessing for our family. Upon entering the school for orientation, I knew immediately that this was a special place. From student-led tours and testimonials to the comprehensive background given by the administrators, this was hands down the easiest decision my husband and I have ever made regarding our daughter's education. TNS is a close-knit community of families, educators, and former students who have returned to the school to celebrate various traditions over the years, which speaks volumes about the school and their experiences. My daughter is now in her 3rd school year at TNS and has blossomed into a curious, confident, and self-assured young lady, all thanks to the support, education, and love she receives at school. Her younger brother is very much looking forward to joining her next year at The New School!

As a parent of 2 children in TNS of Monmouth County, I just wanted to say how pleased I am with our experience. When you decide to leave the public school system, it can be a daunting task trying to figure out what is right for your family. From the moment we received our student-guided tour of the school, we fell in love with the DNA of TNS. I tell other parents that kids can be kids, here. I think that is such an important attribute for a school today. Kids have the freedom to ask questions, explore their creativity, experience nature, and work as a team to solve problems. The teachers have a lesson plan but also have the freedom to call an audible if students express interest in a particular subject. Children are inherently curious. TNS understands this and helps nurture their curiosity with project-based assignments, field trips, school traditions, and impressive student-led presentations.

Through project-based learning, the New School takes a real-life, applied, full-circle approach to educating K-8 children: It examines all aspects of a chosen topic - the art of it, the math of it, the reading of it, the writing, the science, etc. This is more practical, but it's also more engaging - so much so, that your child doesn't always recognize they're learning (and isn't this the way it should be?). Our child loves the school, both academically and socially, and has blossomed in its intimate, applied environment, and with the individualized tailoring the small community offers. As a product of NJ public K-12 schools, I truly appreciate and recognize the benefits this accepting, applied educational environment offers young, intelligent minds.

TNS is amazing and unique school. It is out of the box learning where your child can show and develope their giftings and passions. My only regret is that I did not find this school sooner. The staff is friendly and helpful and so kind at all times.

The New School of Monmouth County is one of the best-kept secrets of New Jersey. One of its best qualities is that it offers the perfect balance between structure and freedom. The curriculum is there as a backdrop, but it is fluid and can accommodate specific interests. For example, my daughter wanted to learn cursive writing which was not in the existing curriculum in her class. The teachers went with her enthusiasm and helped her learn; now she writes in cursive all the time. Another wonderful feature is the small class size. This intimate atmosphere has fostered confidence and a sense of community in our children. The smaller classes also allow for them to take on unique adventures like hiking and learning about nature in the park/trail system next door. Because there are no tests, my children do not feel pressured or stressed about learning. They are learning because the system fosters curiosity and makes it easy. We feel incredibly lucky to have found this hidden gem of a school. Our kids are happy to go each morning and come home in the afternoon excited to share stories and things they have learned. I HIGHLY recommend this school.

The New School of Monmouth County is innovative in its hands-on, project-based and holistic approach to education, and allows children to explore learning far beyond the boundaries that traditional lesson plans dictate. Children are taught to learn with open minds and to care for those around them with open hearts. If you are looking for an educational utopia, this is a close as it gets. TNS fosters a life-long love of learning and allows children to follow their own path towards knowledge. Encouraged with enthusiasm, limited only by themselves, an ever-evolving and fluid curriculum allows children to continually and fully explore a wide variety of subjects. No arbitrary grading system, no tests to fret over, and no homework to impinge on family time or free play, the sky is the limit. Here at the The New School, children never cram to learn for the test, because life isn't just about the test. Best of all, children truly love going here. The New School of Monmouth County teaches tomorrow's leaders - today.

The New School is a fabulous environment for kids to grow and learn. Its strength is it develops each child by emphasizing a love of learning (bootm up) instead of top down rote learning. As a result the children are incredibly well adjusted, very strong communicators, taught how to handle conflict resolution and allowed to become real people who are never affraid to engage adults directly and look to understand why and how. the instructors are excellent, the facilities are limited but this also adds to the group feeling from the students of "it's our school." We''re thrilled and see this as a springboard for bigger and better things in our children's lives.

The New School is incredible!! I could stop there but I want to take the time to try to explain why. I say try because it may take a visit to TNS to really understand what this amazing place is all about. TNS is far from new! Susan Chilvers founded it almost 46 years ago and is still the director of the school. She is unlike any school director you will ever meet always ready to share a story and always there to listen to yours! She is a hands on director walking into each and every class room being an integral part of their learning knowing each and every child and family personally. Her teachers have been with her for many many years. TNS is a welcoming family I am glad to call ours. The minute you walk in you will feel at home. If you happen to visit in February you may get lucky and visit on soup day! A delicious smell will come from the kitchen centered in this lovely house! This is one of the many traditions The New School has to offer. One of my favorites is Gingerbread Night in December and I am looking forward to our first Boat Day in the summer. TNS follows the traditional curriculum but in a non traditional way. There is no homework and there is no testing. At TNS Children learn because they love to learn not because they need to score high for a test. Children will have time to play and spend time with their friends and family instead of being worried about hours and hours of homework. At TNS there is time for outdoor play and an unhurried lunch with friends. There is time for the arts because it is an important part of learning. There is time for a talk at drop off and pick up because you and your child are important. There is room for parents to participate in their child's learning. At TNS children learn to LOVE learning and will do so at their own pace in a multi aged group. There are 3 classes: The little class (K-2nd grade ), the middle class (3rd 5th grade) and the older class (6th 8th grade). Each year a theme is chosen around which projects and learning evolve. This year's theme is community and culture. The children will work on projects within their own class but will also have a chance to connect with children from the other classes creating opportunities to learn from each other and to teach each other as well. Naturally while working with each other conflicts may arise. Conflict resolution is at the core of the school's believe system. Children will learn early on how to resolve conflict which will benefit them for the rest of their social and professional life. Even though our children have not been at the new school for that long, we can already see tremendous change. They are more confident and compassionate in the way they communicate with each other and with us as parents. They have become more independent, creative and passionate learners and thinkers. As a parent it makes me smile a big smile and I am thankful to have found TNS each and every day I drop the kids off. We are lucky to live close to TNS but I have seen people drive as far as an hour back and forth to have their children learn at TNS. I have seen people move for TNS. It is that amazing of a place.

The New School has not only been a gift to our children but also to us as parents. The school has embedded a such love of learning within our children that they are so excited to go to school everyday. The school's approach to education utilizes all the senses as well as the outdoors within the learning process whereby the children are not relegated to sitting at the same desk all-day long. Also, through the project based component the children identify and collaborate on projects of their choosing. This teaches them the lifelong skills of exploration, problem solving, conflict resolution and communication. Through the process they become self-motivated learners who not only ask questions - but take the initiative to utilize their resources to find the answers. We are extremely thrilled with the independent thinkers and learners our children are becoming. We could not recommend this school enough to interested prospective parents!

We love the New School. Our boys are growing into caring, intelligent, and thoughtful young men with the gentle guidance and atmosphere of curiosity here. We could not be more pleased that they are in such a safe and nurturing school environment.

Awesome, incredible, unusual curriculum where my children learned how to love learning, challenges and how to think for themselves, as well as how to take an active role in their learning process. Wish there were more "New Schools" around!