Newtown El School

Our family absolutely adores this school. The teachers, administrators, and support staff are incredible, and there is a true feeling of community. NES also has more diversity than other schools in the district and maintains a Diversity Committee which seeks to promote equity and inclusivity between the students by hosting events throughout the year to showcase our community’s many backgrounds and cultures. There is also an increasing emphasis from the teaching staff to include books by and about people of color. In addition, the school has a life skills classroom for students who are differently-abled and these students are as much a part of the school community as anyone. Finally, as the mother of a child with learning issues, I can say that this school has done wonders.

NES has a gifted program in math and social studies for high achieving kids. It definitely made a difference for my children, as the program focuses on thinking rather than memorization. The principal, Mr. King, is truly superb. You can visit the school, see him walking in the hallway, and he will stop and greet you by name. It absolutely astounded me that he remembers parents' names when he has something like 500 students. His main theme is making kids into resilient youngsters. He also genuinely wants to resolve problems. When my son was in 5th grade, he was a great student and athlete, but was cited for behavior issues several times. One time, while playing basketball and trouncing other boys, the recess aide told him he had to give up the ball. So he talked back to her. We met w/Mr. King to see what we should do, and he went out of his way to help. He set up a behavior tutor, who was a junior in high school and was once a troublemaker, but was now the star basketball player on the varsity team. My son, who revered basketball, met with this boy for a month and really benefited from the intervention. The high school student also got credits for volunteering. I was amazed that a principal in elementary school would have the time, interest and willingness to pull something like this together and think outside the box.

We LOVE Newtown Elementary!! The quality of teachers is superb -- my daughter has had excellent teachers every year. The principal is very involved and a great leader. The school appears to run very smoothly and the quality of education is second to none!

My grandson goes to this school. Through my daughter I hear this is one of the best school districts for education.