How to Get Into New Roads School: What You Need To Know

New Roads School: An Overview and Why Families Choose It 

The New Roads School is a co-educational and non-denominational school in Santa Monica, California. It is among the top 20 best high schools for the arts in California. It houses students from elementary school to upper school with a population of approximately 550 students (Elementary School: ~90 | Middle School: ~150 | Upper School: ~310). There are 71 full-time faculty members, with 31 seasonal and part-time faculty members. With a small class size of no more than 20 students, New Roads School makes certain that every student has the help and attention they need. 

The School was established in 1995 as a model for education in a community with a large ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity. The students are encouraged to stand by their own beliefs, assumptions, and viewpoints. It has a dynamic and diverse sports program where the values of cooperation, honesty, commitment, balance, and pushing oneself beyond one’s limits are taught to students who play sports at New Roads. With the school’s emphasis on democratizing educational access, educating students for democratic citizenship, and utilizing teaching strategies grounded in the science and art of education, New Roads is firmly rooted in the heritage of progressivism. In order to help students develop the grit, resourcefulness, and ingenuity necessary to tackle insurmountable real-world situations, the school urges them to become deeply involved in their learning experience.

New Roads School Admissions: Competitiveness and Acceptance Rate 

New Roads School’s curriculum is rigorous, and the community is truly diverse; that’s why many parents intend to send their children there. The admissions process is genuinely competitive. Though not always textbook-driven, the school’s criteria are strict, and its standards are high. Middle school and upper school applicants are evaluated on various application components, including questionnaires and essays, teacher recommendations, transcripts, and an interview.

Seeking the assistance of seasoned independent private school admissions consultants who are familiar with the admissions process and are knowledgeable in private school admissions consulting will increase your chances of being accepted to New Roads School. They can assist you in learning more about how to get into New Roads School by organizing and planning how to differentiate your child and stand out from the other applicants. 

The New Roads School Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

The New Roads School application process begins by filling out an inquiry form, which will create an account on the school application site, MyRoads, where you can also monitor your admissions progress status. New Roads School application requirements vary by grade level, but you can take into account the following admissions steps:

1. Submit an application.
2. Complete the student essay and questionnaire.
3. Submit recommendation letters.
4. Request a transcript. 
5. Admissions Interview

New Roads School Admission Requirements

New Roads School Student Essay and Questionnaire Guidelines

Students applying from Grades 1-5 are required to complete the student questionnaire, while applicants for Grades 6-12 are required to complete the student essay and questionnaire on the MyRoads school portal. Even though the questions may appear straightforward and easy to answer, admissions officers are looking for specific traits and values in your child that will determine whether they are a suitable fit at New Roads School. These questions will also probe your child’s abilities, personalities, and passions.

How to write an engaging student essay and questionnaire

Our independent private school admissions consultants offer the best assistance to help your child answer the questions honestly. We have worked with various elite families who want to get into the best private schools, like New Roads School, so we know what qualities the admissions officers are seeking in applicants. We can determine what qualities and attributes will appeal to the admissions panel and be taken into consideration for admission based on your child’s unique circumstances. Here are some helpful writing tips for writing compelling student essays and questionnaires.

New Roads School Teacher Recommendations: What Admissions Officers Look For

Applicants from kindergarten are required to submit one recommendation letter from either the administrative or the teacher. For Grades 1 to 5, they are required to submit one teacher recommendation and one administrative recommendation. For Grades 6 to 12, applicants must submit 2 teacher recommendation letters from the math and English teachers, and one administrator recommendation. Submissions for the recommendation letters will be made through the MyRoads portal.

How to acquire strong recommendation letters

Teacher recommendations are very important for admission because they offer a detailed view of a child’s character, personality, and academic skills. Teachers can make objective, professional observations because they work with your child every day and can attest to their academic performance. If you want teachers to be able to give strong recommendations that back up other admissions application materials and other requirements when the time comes, you must cultivate a good relationship with them.

New Roads School Transcript Requirements and Improvement Tips

Applicants for Grades 1-5 are required to submit their transcripts from all previous school years, as well as the grade report from the current mid-year. For Grades 6-12, applicants are required to submit their transcripts from the current mid-year grade report, as well as the 2 years prior. 

Ways to improve grades 

The transcript shows a child’s readiness for New Roads School’s curriculum. If your child’s grades are not that outstanding, you should consider starting private school admissions consulting early. Our highly esteemed top independent educational consultants, tutors, and academic coaches can help improve your child’s grades and achieve the required scores to gain admission to the top private schools of your choice. We offer diagnostic testing as well as in-person or online tutoring for a range of courses. Raising the GPA alone isn’t enough, so we offer tutoring and academic coaching to teach executive function skills for a more comprehensive approach.

New Roads School Admissions Interview: Preparation & Expectations

Families at New Roads will have the option of conducting virtual or in-person interviews. Members of the faculty and admissions team will be available for you to meet and learn more about New  Roads School. You will also get the opportunity to ask questions in order to learn more about the academic structure and culture of the institution. 

During interviews, admissions officers assess whether your family will fit well with the school community,y and according to the way you conduct yourself in those situations. Being in the consulting firm industry for almost 20 years and assisting many families in gaining admission to the best private high schools inCalifornian,ia including New Roads School, we are aware of what admissions officers are seeking. Our independent admissions consultants will help you with your interview preparation by educating you on typical questions and how to respond honestly while upholding their principles. 

New Roads School Campus Tours and Open Houses: Maximizing Your Visit

One of the best ways to experience New Roads School is to schedule a campus tour or go to an open house. Here’s how to take full use of these opportunities:

1. Plan Ahead: To see when there are open house events and meetings with faculty and students, you can start by visiting the New Roads School website. It’s crucial to plan your visit well in advance because tours tend to fill up quickly. A more thorough look at the institution is frequently offered during these admissions events, which also feature talks from administrators, staff, and current students.
2. Prepare Your Questions: Make a list of questions in advance of your visit to help you determine if New Roads School is the best choice for your child. 
3. Engage During the Tour: Participate fully in the tour with the tour leader and other school representatives. Note any noteworthy aspects, the ambiance, and the facilities. Keep an eye on how kids and teachers interact because this can reveal something about the culture of the institution.
4. Follow-Up: If you have any further questions after the tour, ask them. This can clarify any areas you may still be unclear about and demonstrate your sincere interest in the institution.

New Roads School Virtual Tours and Information Sessions: Online Engagement

New Roads School offers virtual meetings with the admissions team if you have any technical questions concerning deadlines or complex questions regarding pedagogy and practice. Here’s how to maximize these resources:

1. Visit the School’s Website: You can start by exploring the New Roads School’s website to get the schedule and join the admissions team for open Zoom meetings on your scheduled date and time.

Recommendations on interacting with online content

1. Create a Comfortable Viewing Environment: Make certain that you have a serene, comfortable area where you take part in virtual meetings. Your experience can be improved with a reliable internet connection and high-quality headphones or speakers.
2. Take Notes: Take notes throughout the virtual meetings, just like you would during an in-person visit. Make a note of any interesting topics, queries, and thoughts about the school’s offers and culture. Moreover, take note of any important details that are mentioned.
3. Ask Questions: Make sure to prepare your questions in advance. This will make sure you won’t miss any information you want to know before you apply to New Roads School. 
4. Look into Other Online Resources: After the virtual meeting, explore other online resources provided by the school. These could include student reviews or testimonials, downloadable brochures, and webinar recordings.

Student Life at New Roads School: Activities, Clubs & Leadership

Numerous opportunities are provided to students at New Roads School, encouraging them to pursue their passions and interests. The values of cooperation, honesty, commitment, balance, and pushing oneself beyond one’s own limits are taught to students who play sports at New Roads. Students can also participate in different leadership opportunities, such as Jaguar Leadership Council (JLC), Student Leadership Congress (SLC) in Upper School, and in the All-School Meetings for elementary school and Town Halls for middle school and upper school. There are also various affinity groups, summer camps, and clubs that students can join.

New Roads School Academics: Curriculum, Programs & Philosophy

Through a dynamic approach that prioritizes intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and personal growth, the K–12 program at New Roads School fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a lifetime love of learning. Although they are not limited by them, academic classes are in line with the most recent national standards. Through a balance of conventional and innovative approaches, academic programs are created to meet the varied needs of our students. This empowers students to become thoughtful, involved citizens in a world that is constantly changing by encouraging them to pursue their passions, push themselves, and work together.

Core Academic Programs by Grade Level (K-12)

As one of the best private K–12 schools in California, students advance through the New Roads K–12 program where they are given more freedom, independence, and options to customize their educational path. The difficulties of youth are acknowledged at New Roads, and they continuously provide the support and direction required for intellectual, social, and emotional development for each of their students. Moreover, the encouraging atmosphere helps students develop their academic and social-emotional abilities while pursuing their passions. 

Students in elementary school develop a strong conceptual knowledge and a firm foundation in numeracy by using real-world problem-solving techniques through the Illustrative Math curriculum. Our Language Arts curriculum, which is informed by the science of writing and reading, includes oral proficiency in addition to reading and writing, while Social Studies emphasizes empathy, social justice, and civic engagement as means of comprehending the range of human experiences.

In Middle School, New Roads balances structure and independence to respect each student’s individual development. Through experiential learning and project-based learning, students develop their knowledge and assume the role of global citizens. Its core curriculum promotes effective communication and critical thinking, while electives provide opportunities to explore subjects like new media, visual arts, STEM, and performing arts.

In Upper School, students continue their basic coursework and broaden their knowledge through a variety of electives, clubs, and extracurricular activities. Mentors and college counselors help them develop into all-around learners who are ready to make significant contributions to society. 

Students in the New Roads K–12 curriculum are granted greater independence and choices to personalize their educational journeys as they progress. New Roads constantly provides the direction and assistance required for each student’s intellectual, social, and emotional development because it recognizes the difficulties that young people encounter. Additionally, students gain from the encouraging atmosphere as they develop intellectually and socially while pursuing their interests. 

Electives and enrichment opportunities

In order to support its demanding academic program and promote a well-rounded education, New Roads School provides a wide range of electives and enrichment activities. With these choices, students can learn new skills, interact with society at large, and delve deeply into their hobbies.

At New Roads School, A vast array of elective courses that address different interests and skills is available for students to select from. These include courses in digital media, film production & theory, dance, music, college preparatory electives, wellness electives, visual arts and design, academic enrichment, science, robotics, and engineering. These electives are a reflection of the philosophical dedication of the school to the value of the creative nonlinear process and the complete growth of every distinct student and their imaginative expression and thought.

New Roads School provides a wide range of extracurricular activities to improve the educational experience outside of the classroom. These include clubs such as Book club, Podcast club, Premier League club, Environmental club, Leadership club, and so much more! Speech and debate, volleyball camp, basketball camp, podcasting, wellness intensive camp, creative arts and music program, and pre-algebra readiness summer camps are also offered.

New Roads School Athletics Program: Sports Offered & Philosophy

The New Roads School athletics program offers 11 different sports in the Elementary School, Middle School, and Upper School. In order to succeed both on and off the field of play, New Roads students who participate in athletics are taught the qualities of collaboration, integrity, passion, balance, and pushing oneself beyond one’s own limits. Student-athletes at New Roads are taught to flourish in our distinctive school culture and learning environment and to put those lessons into practice by appreciating the honor and accountability of competing at the highest level of athletics.

New Roads School Arts Programs: Visual, Performing & Music

New Roads School is ranked among the best high schools for the arts in America, where students are given opportunities to be themselves and pursue their passions and interests. By participating in meaningful studies and cultivating a clear moral compass in a classroom full of intellectual depth and creative vibrancy, students lay the groundwork for their futures. New roads also encourage students to develop a lasting passion for the arts and music.

New Roads School Visual Arts Program

Through the visual arts, elementary school students value creative expressiveness, studying color using mixed media, viewpoint, and spatial perception. In middle school, visual arts and designs include Mixed Media Zines, Printmaking, Yearbook, Conceptual Clothing, 2D Art: Intro and Advanced, Introduction to 3D Art, Murals & Installations, Small Scale Sculpture, The Art of the Journal, and Dream Home. New Roads School’s visual arts curriculum in the upper school includes courses in graphic design, conceptual clothing, ceramics, painting, photography, visual art, costume shop, printmaking, sculpture, and textile dyeing. Students can develop their critical thinking skills and express their creativity in any of these visual arts courses.

New Roads School Music Program

The music program in the elementary school uses the ORFF method, which encourages kids to use their imaginations and bodies by combining acting, dancing, singing, and using instruments. In middle school, they incorporate music and performing arts, where students can take diverse electives to develop their individual musical skills and value the process of nonlinear creativity. In upper school, their courses include modern band, music production, chamber music, guitar/bass techniques, songwriting, music theory, world percussion, and vocal arts. These classes offer in-depth explorations of a particular area and vary in style and methodology.

New Roads School Performing Arts Program

Dance, theater, musical instruments, ensemble, and songwriting are all included in New Roads’ performing arts program. Students’ stage presence and performance abilities can be enhanced by all of these electives. Through a range of genres and techniques, dance classes teach students to express themselves through movement. In drama courses, students become more empathetic, better storytellers, and better communicators. Learning to play musical instruments, writing songs, and participating in groups can help students develop their self-confidence, listening comprehension, and application of teaching concepts. What’s more, all of these performing arts programs are supported by modern facilities and a staff of accomplished musicians and artists who are committed to creating a vibrant and encouraging learning environment.

Beyond Academics: New Roads School Clubs & Extracurriculars

A broad selection of clubs and organizations is available at New Roads School to support students’ interests, connections to the community, and capacity for leadership. Students can discover new interests, hone their skills, and interact with like-minded peers through these extracurricular activities.

• Academic and Interest-Based Clubs: New Roads clubs cover a broad spectrum of personal and intellectual interests. From the Book Club and Reading Club to the AI Club and STEM Club, students can get the opportunity to learn more about topics they are interested in and where they can take part in contests that help them advance their expertise. Interest-based clubs, such as the Diorama Club, Podcast Club, Grub Club, and Chorus Club, give students the chance to support causes, engage in hobbies, and hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Leadership and Community Service Organizations: New Roads has a vast array of leadership opportunities for students to showcase their leadership skills. Students can express their thoughts and participate in school decision-making through clubs like the SSS Club and Leadership Club. Community service organizations such as The Community Outreach Club and Community Service Club inspire students to offer services in volunteer work, which will develop their feeling of responsibility and empathetic thinking.
• Clubs for the Creative and Cultural Arts: New Roads is known as one of the best high schools for the Arts in California, where students can express their creativity and show off their skills through a variety of projects and performances at New Roads’ creative arts groups, which include film club, origami, doodle & draw, dance, and printmaking.

Students at New Roads School form enduring connections and contribute to a well-rounded educational experience that goes beyond the classroom by joining these clubs and organizations. Students need these activities to develop into responsible, involved, and well-rounded individuals.

Notable Alumni of New Roads School

1. Julia Cowitt – featured on Emmy-Nominated season 2 of the Amazon series, “Transparent”.
2. Sofia Frohna – daughter of Jim Frohna, a director/cinematographer on the Amazon Series, Transparent. She is featured on Emmy-Nominated season 2 of the Amazon series, “Transparent”.
3. Mica Nafshun-Bone – featured on Emmy-Nominated season 2 of the Amazon series, “Transparent”.
4. Amanda Gorman – an American poet, a model, and an activist
5. Amanda Lenvin – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
6. Erin Whalen – ‘08 alum, trustee, and co-founder of Da Vinci RISE High School
7. David Bryan – host at Curiosity Invited Podcast
8. Mario Johonson – Director of Student Wellness & Human Development at New Roads School

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