New Road School. Specialized Private Schooling.

Parents

Thank you for the opportunity to work with your children! We are committed to the success of your child and promise to make your family's experience with us a positive one. Here at the New Road Schools, we pride ourselves on keeping parents involved in the learning process. One of our philosophies is that the growth of a student does not end when the last school bell sounds for the day. We work with parents to help them teach their children how to carry on their school successes at home. Our staff is always available to share with parents strategies to maintain their child's learning and positive behaviors in all settings.

 

A Guide to the Enrollment Process

Once a child is referred to us from their sending school district, we will promptly contact you to set up an interview and arrange a tour of our facility at your earliest convenience. During this initial meeting, we will explain all we have to offer your child, helping you to make the best placement decision for you and your family. As soon as a decision has been made, we will enroll your child in a timely manner, as we understand the importance of preventing gaps in schooling. Once the student is enrolled at a New Road School, we set to work to determine their individual learning strengths and weaknesses. This makes it possible for the school to create a tailored program to match your child's needs.

 

A Parent's Guide to Selecting a Specialized School

The Choice Is Yours
As a parent, you want the best education for your child. You want a place where your child's unique needs and abilities will be respected and supported. You look for a school where your child will feel comfortable. There are many schools from which to choose. How do you find the school that is best for your son or daughter?

Come Visit
There is no better way to get a feel for a school than to visit it in person. Observe how teachers and students interact. Look for students who seem similar to your child. Imagine your child in the school's classrooms.

If you like what you see, bring your child back to join a class for the day. As you visit the classrooms, ask yourself the following questions:

• Will my child fit in and be comfortable in this school?

• Will my child receive the individualized attention she or he needs?

• Does the school challenge the students without frustrating them?

Inquire About Teacher Qualifications
Ask about the qualifications of teachers in the school. In many private schools, state certification is not required. It is important to find out if all the teachers hold four-year college degrees. Many teachers may have master's or other advanced degrees, particularly if they teach a specific area. A good school will support continuing education programs for its teachers. A great school will provide the resources necessary for school staff to stay on the cutting edge of instructional techniques and curriculum developments.

The Right Academic Program
Choose a school that fits your child, one that enables your child to experience success through academic achievement. You want a school that will challenge without frustrating. You want a school that will prepare your child for the future.

It is important to note if the curriculum and instructional approach are customized to enable your child to advance at his or her own pace. Check the student-to-teacher ratio. To meet the needs of students with different learning styles, teachers should provide tutorial instruction for part of each day. At the high school level, the school should prepare your child for what comes next, whether it's continuing education, employment, or independent living.

Good Schools Manage the Learning Environment
Your child requires a safe, nurturing, and orderly environment in which to learn. That requires cooperation from every student. Managing classroom behavior is an essential role of a teacher. An effective school will establish clear outcomes for student behavior and will hold students accountable for their actions. Your child should be free to learn without distractions in an environment that encourages and supports learning.

Don't Judge by Appearances
The heart of a school is not found in its facilities or its location; it rests in its people. When you visit a school, look between the four walls to get a sense of the vision, the philosophy, and the culture of the school. Learning can take place in modest settings. While a school building should be comfortable and safe, facilities are less important than what takes place in the classroom. That is where you should see the spirit and the energy of the school at work.

Look for Signs of a Well-Run School
Look for program consistency from classroom to classroom; that is a sign of a shared vision among the school's staff. You should be assured of continuity in your child's education even as your child changes teachers or advances to higher grade levels. A positive attitude and a common sense of purpose among staff and students signal effective leadership.

Your Child Is at the Center of Attention
In a school that truly meets your child's needs, staff will take the time to get to know your child and build your child's trust. It is more than just knowing your child's name or academic abilities; it's about caring. You want teachers who will put your child at the center of their attention.

In the school's family-like atmosphere, your child will be supported as he or she develops into a confident and successful individual.

 

School Visit Checklist

• Will my child fit in here?
• Will my child receive individual instruction?
• Does the school use computer technology to enhance learning?
• Does the school challenge without frustration?
• Are the teachers qualified to teach my child?
• Will the school grow with my child?
• Is there a shared vision among staff?
• Does the school continually train its teachers?
• Are the classrooms safe and orderly?
• Do the teachers truly care about their students?

 

Eight Simple Things Families Can Do to Help Their Child Succeed in School

1. Establish a daily routine: dinnertime, study time, bedtime, and time to wake up.
2. Set aside a place for your child to study.
3. Model the importance of self-discipline, planning ahead, and responsibility.
4. Read, listen to your child read, and talk about what is being read.
5. Encourage your child's progress and give praise for effort and achievement.
6. Provide a safe place for you child to vent frustration without judgment. Be supportive and be a good listener.
7. Provide a structured, predictable environment where rules are consistently applied.
8. Remember that your child is more normal than different. Focus on what your child can do and remember that all children need love, guidance and the freedom to learn.