Newton Middle School

4001 EAST ARAPAHOE ROAD

School District

Littleton 6
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Littleton 6 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 06, 2023

My son is entering 7th grade at newton and they truly made his entire 6th grade year a living hell. The principal and assistant principals are horribly rude and tried to hard to kick my son out for every little thing he did. Example: a classmate "pantsed" my son and pulled his shorts down, staff saw and did nothing. My son did it back to the student and he was suspended for 10 days. If you dont fit their cookie cutter mold they try and force you out. I wish i could send my son absolutely anywhere else but i am a single mom working full-time and moved to be closer to my kids schools so they could walk to and from and now that seems like a huge mistake. Dont send you kid here, youll regret it.
Submitted by other on July 16, 2023

I went to this middle school ever since 6th grade and all the way to 8th. I was in algebra for the first time ever. I didn’t know anything and I grew up in sped classes all my education, so I had no idea what was going on. It felt like my 7th grade teacher just threw me into the deep end and didn’t give me any help.. my 8th grade algebra teacher was rude. I asked my counselor to switch me out of that class but she said no since there was extra support only in that class. After that semester I went back to Sped classes. It made me feel worthless and was left too stressed. I failed Algebra because of the teacher. I was good at advocating for myself but with teachers I don’t feel comfortable with I can’t do it. For example, My history teacher was nice, I loved him because he saw something other teachers didn’t. He was I feel the only teacher who made me come to school. Now him and my gym teacher had motivated me to do well in High School. Every other teacher would just throw their students off into high school to teach another level. Too me that’s not caring as a teacher, that’s just you wanting to get paid and get out..
Submitted by student on May 22, 2023

This school has been awful for me ever since I started. My counselor made my life worse after 7th grade after I loved a teacher that helped me throughout the year.. my mom doesn't like the teachers here because how they treat people with 504's and IEP's. They never pay extra attention to another student when they ask, and they also fail you if you are not at school for a day. (I have a seizure disorder, leading to so many seizures and doctors appointments) they never care when they say they do... I know they never respect others for something they have. I feel this school is only for white boys who do sports and are popular... DO NOT SEND YOUR KIDS HERE!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2022

When my child started to struggle Mr O’Tremba threw him out like the trash. In January, it was noted my son failed every math test and he was told just “go to class and do your best most kids take Algebra 2 times.” My son finished the year failing every math test and now believes he cannot do math (including that year, he was in advanced math… not anymore). Math teacher used racial slurs and humiliation (both of my kids experienced this but Mr O’Tremba continues to say he is an amazing teacher). I was continually told my struggling son was doing fine, Cs are fine and my expectations were not. My kid went from all As to Cs that is significant but it doesn’t matter. At end if year all grades were inflated without any reason, so Mr O’Tremba would look good?Newton is good for self motivated, high achieving kids. If your kid is average they will not be seen at Newton. Teachers are overwhelmed and can’t keep up or focus on the individual. No lockers in a brand new school so kids have to carry heavy backpacks and a winter coat all day. The COVID response was horrible. Teachers wore masks on their necks. All Kids had to eat inside as behavioral consequence for some kids leaving trash - rather than addressing the behavior they put all kids at additional risk?8th grade continuation was a list of Mr. O’Tremba’s accomplishments. He paraded kids around while totally demoralizing the non high achieving kids. It was awful. Smallest behavior issue or derogatory comment was met with a 3 day suspension (calling someone a Karen = 3 days). Middle school kids are testing the waters, they need to learn and grow. School gives no warnings and no opportunity to improve. Seemed almost every 8th grade boy was suspended at least once plus having COVID at least once, it was a horrible year for learning.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2019

I don't even know what to say here, but I am deeply disappointed with the school at the moment.
Submitted by other on March 26, 2019

I don't know too much about Newton. Seems like a fairly average middle school. Who are these parents though that think their kid should be allowed to show up to school cursing and on their phone all the time? Why are schools having to run investigations all the time? It's like these parents think school is a soap opera. School should be a place to learn. It's not somewhere for your kid to cuss and hang out on their phone. I'm sure we can all tell where they learned that from.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2018

We had a wonderful experience with my daughter (who is now in HS), and can't wait for my son to start this fall. The staff has always been helpful and friendly, teachers go beyond the call of duty, and the school works hard to incorporate good values. I have never loved a school more!
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2017

Extremely disappointed with the leadership at Newton. Specifically one of the vice principals and the Principal. Any discipline is met with the harshest standards possible and "investigations" are poorly conducted. No mitigating factors are considered and children with learning disabilities are punished for their behavior that is hard for them to control. No mercy is shown or given. I would strongly recommend NOT sending your children to this school.
Submitted by student on December 23, 2015

I've been at Newton for almost 3 years, and I have mixed feelings. The staff is either very hard to approach or very easy. Also many of the teachers do not make a very fun environment for their classroom that is easy to pay attention to. The administaters are very rude and not friendly to students or parents. Also some punishments are very unnecessary and ridiculous. Many kids have gotten SUSPENED for cursing or using their phones during the school day. Over the years I've also found it very hard to fit in anywhere. Many of the students define themselfs and there friends as in "groups" and you have to know them for a while or get to know them to be officially part of their group. Also ones you in a "group" it's hard to combine with other groups. Overall Newton is a ok school, but there are defiantly better schools out their.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2015

Our son moved from Lenski Rlementary to Newton. We heard mixed reviews of the school but are very impressed by the quality of the education and the school itself.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2015

I have a daughter who is in 8th grade currently. She is in excelerated classes and has had a good experience and education at Newton. Teachers and staff are ready to talk with you and respond promptly to e-mails. PTO is great but low key. Facility is dated but all of Littleton School District is. They will get a new playground this summer with grant funding. We are so happy to have this school nearby. My daughter takes the school bus to school. I will have another daughter in 6th grade here next year. We like that it is smaller than other middle schools in the area. I went as a chaperon to New York City last summer with the school band and chorus on a site seeing trip. They go to Washington DC too. Great experience for the kids. The principal, teachers and staff really care about the kids. My daughter has grown and learned so much. I am happy she has liked her middle school experience.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2015

This is the best public middle school in the state of CO. Just look at their results vs the rest of the state. The staff is dedicated to the students and the parents are really involved in the school curriculum. I have one child in 6th grade and had one who is now excelling in high school (IB Program).
Submitted by other on March 15, 2015

I attended this school for the full 3 years. The first year that I was there, I was being harassed/bullied. My parents contacted the principle, and he did little to help the situation. He didn't talk to the bully or even really say anything to my parents beside saying that he would "take care of it". Throughout the rest of the three years that I was there, I saw/heard of students doing drugs, and having minor consequences. There was even a bomb threat and a few fist fights in the hallways. Academically, this school has not prepared me at all for high school. I maintained all A's and B's throughout the full three years, with no problem. But then I got to high school, and it was like I had not received any education since 5th grade. I highly recommend not sending your kids here.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2014

Very happy with Newton! I'm a former middle school teacher, and we researched at least twenty top middle schools in the Denver area before deciding where to purchase our home (we relocated from another state). The administration & teachers genuinely care about their students here, the schedule allows for intervention and enrichment, the size is perfect (only around 600 kids), most kids walk or ride bikes to & from school, the teachers are thoughtful & intelligent, they seem to be focused more on the whole child rather than simply meeting academic standards (may be the reason for the 7/10 rather than a 10... too many schools make testing their priority, unlike Newton), and my kids like going to school (as much as any middle-schooler might, anyway!). It's groovy, and a bit outdated, but I think that's part of what gives Newton its charm. Nothing pretentious here! I'm a progressive ed activist with a Master's degree in secondary education, and I have two children at this school. Very pleased!
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2014

I've had children attending this school since 2009 and have witnessed many wonderful changes over the years. The school's scores and ratings continue to increase and the ability to challenge the students continually rises. My children have all adapted quickly to the middle school environment and have grown academically and emotionally during their time at Newton. As my children have progressed into high school the transition has been seamless as Newton does a wonderful job preparing them for the next phase of life. The teachers are encouraging, supportive and willing to help when and if there is a need. The front office is friendly and always very helpful. The principal and assistant principal are very involved and committed to the continued growth of excellence at this school.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2014

As a parent of a sixth grader at Newton, I am more than pleased with this school. My daughter came from Lenski Elementary where I got the impression that Newton was not a great school. I went to a perspective parent night and my fears were immediately put at ease after hearing the principal speak about the schools' many achievements, awards and programs. My daughter is so happy here and loves her teachers and has made so many new friends. I couldn't be happier that we chose Newton.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2014

After 7 years with children at Newton, my youngest child finished 8th grade last spring. It was once an IB school but due to budget cuts the district made the choice to discontinue the IB program. (Despite a very vocal community presence at Board of Education meetings requesting that the program not be shut down.) The loss of the IB program was a huge loss for the school and it has not fully recovered from that loss. The math department is excellent! Incredible teachers who really know how to reach students and teach math. I can't say enough good things about the math department at Newton. The Language Arts department has struggled to properly teach writing, but the school is starting to see some success. Spanish instruction at Newton is a joke - it is horrible, The high school that most of the students feed into fully acknowledges that students from Newton are not prepared for high school Spanish courses. Despite this, no changes have been made to improve instruction of Spanish - a huge mistake!
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2012

As a parent of a former student at this school I would discourage anyone from sending their children to this school under the current leadership. My child attended Lois Lenski Elementary school and was very well prepared for middle school. Unfortunaletly, after the first semester at Newton we had no other choice than to switch schools. My child made straight A's and was unchallenged by the curriculum. The administration was unwilling to advance my child into more challenging courses. I found the Principal to be very unprofessional, unwilling to work with us and down right childish. When he found out our child was transferring to another school he refused to allow attendance at the honor roll ceremony and would not provide any of the benefits earned. This may not appear to be a big deal but it was and is still a big deal to this day. I have no doubt this type of behavior is not isolated and is affecting others. My child is very driven and takes pride in the successes achieved. Mr. O' Tremba acted in a very unprofessional manner and negatively affected my child's confidence, pride and sense of achievement. He should be ashamed of his actions and pettiness.
Submitted by other on November 23, 2012

As a student from this school, my friend and I had been bullied by another girl. Typical middle school drama right? I had wrote a official student complaint of this girl, and had given it to Mrs. Barrot, the 6th grade principal, to review. She pulled me in and had gotten my side of the story, and then the other girls side. When she pulled us together again my friends had suddenly become involved. How this happened? Good question. I myself am a straight A-B student. I work hard to keep focused in school. Never once have I been in the principals office. Myself, and my friend were sent away and called liars. I was the one being bullied. Take it from me. DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL. Good kids end up being the put down for the littlest things. The bad kids get away with anything under the sun. The principals have given the girl to practically do anything she wanted to me, without being in trouble. Mrs. Barrot, and Mr. O' Tremba are unprofessional, and very untalented at what they do.