New Roads School

3131 Olympic Boulevard

Santa Monica, CA 90404

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 08, 2023

My introduction to New Roads started 14-15 years ago with our son who started in kindergarten. We were looking for a diverse school for both students and faculty and we were referred to visit New Roads by a friend of the family. After going through the interview process, we quickly learned that this was no ordinary private school but rather a unique learning institution that would help us parents raise good humans! We love New Roads for so many reasons but here are a few: loving our kids for who they are as individuals, pushing their academics at their pace, creativity for freedom of expression through the arts/music/sports, standing up for what they believe in, building relationships, college readiness and the list goes on! Our daughter currently in the 4th grade is enjoying the same experience as our son had and we could not be happier with New Roads! Our village rocks!
Submitted by parent on March 20, 2023

Our daughter attended NRS from K-12. Each step of the way the teachers, staff and administrators challenged and supported her unique journey. As a NRS student -athlete, she left high school well prepared to complete a dual major in Engineering and Music from Harvey Mudd College while running cross country and track. New Roads gave her a well rounded education that inspired her to go after what she sincerely enjoyed. She has a wonderful connection with the lifelong friends she made at NRS.
Submitted by other on March 11, 2021

New Roads has been great for our family. From the first day on campus the school community was welcoming and open. They have navigated difficult topics with us as a family and the entire school "walks the talk", which is good to now. We have made strong connections with other families, met the most amazing kids, and have enjoyed all of the faculty and staff. Our child could not be happier and most importantly they LOVE school. This past year has been tough for our family, especially as a family of color, but New Roads has been the one solid in our life. They have helped us process this year and we have enjoyed the talks they have hosted and the way they have approached these issues with our students. My child is doing much better than their peers at other schools, and again-LOVES SCHOOL!!! I can't say this enough. This was the best choice we have made as a family and I am excited where to see where things will go from here.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2021

Our daughter started in Kindergarten at New Roads in 2020 and we could not be more impressed with the quality of the education, the dedication of the teachers and the vision of the administrators. Although it's been a year like no other, the active support from the school, willingness to adapt by the teachers and genuine care for our child and family has been exceptional. There are many schools out there that have impressive brochures, websites and say the right things but fall short when it comes to delivering that reality. Covid has removed the veil for a lot of schools and in this case New Roads gets more impressive the more we see.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2021

We were at NR for two years and it was not at all what they had presented to us in the tours and q&a. The kinder teacher is very traditional and only teaches to kids that fit inside the box. The kinder class actually had a 'take a break chair' in the corner of the classroom. The dean of the lower school changed in the few years we were there and so did the schools philosophies, which seemed to be ever changing depending on who was in charge at the time. They barely touched on social justice issues, no more than a good public school would do and the staff is hardly diverse, all elementary teachers are white. They don't seem to have a plan or policies in place, such as bullying which was rampant. Kids are not thoroughly taught phonics and decoding in the younger grades and it shows in their work, which also effects the kids confidence in their work. Quite a few teachers had left or been fired as well as aides in the few years we were there. 1/4 of each of my kids' class left every single year in the few years we were there too, which says a lot in itself.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2020

This is the gold star standard if you believe social justice and critical thinking are the core of education.
Submitted by other on June 18, 2018

Poorly. New Roads ruined 9th grade for me. Avoid at all costs.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2018

We removed our child from GATE at a public school with a high API and came to New Roads, because the public school had no money for the arts and was so competitive that parents were often doing their kids' work for them. Since we’ve been at New Roads, we’ve felt relief from the pressure to be helicopter parents. Our kid excels on her own because her teachers really know her and support her. She is an arts person and gets the art, music, and theater she wants. The amount of homework is reasonable, and the fact that New Roads High School students go to all the same prestigious colleges as kids at other well-thought-of high schools is proof that excessive homework is unnecessary. There is also real socioeconomic diversity on our campus, as opposed to a mostly wealthy, white campus with a “multicultural” program. LA-area parents who want their kids to be happy as well as well educated should at least look at New Roads.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2018

New Roads is a great community comprised of people who truly care about education, the well-being of children, and finding harmony between a strong academic foundation and a supportive, nurturing environment. Its true commitment to diversity can be felt and seen, and is not just something for a staged viewbook photo or presentation. With kids getting into MIT, IVYs, top arts schools and pretty much any college or university you can think of, while still remaining curious, engaged and happy, it is clear they are doing something right.
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2017

We have a relatively shy child who wouldn't raise a hand to answer in class, sing in a group, etc. New Roads offers such a safe learning community that within the first few months we saw a 180 turn in our child's confidence. Our child could not be any happier to go to school each day. The academics and other programs have met or exceeded our expectations, but more than anything we wanted our child to be in an environment where kids feel safe enough to take risks, learn who they are, and value themselves and others. We feel our child is building self confidence, and learning life skills, compassion and good citizenship in addition to the 3 Rs. We're very happy with our choice.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2017

Our experience has been extremely positive. We have spent time in private and public schools with our older children, but New Roads has been the greatest thing to happen for our family and our youngest child. New Roads has given our son a broad perspective of the world while providing a real foundation of academics that give him confidence to succeed. To find a school that places equal emphasis on academics and social emotional well-being has been a pleasure to experience and we look forward for years to come.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2017

It was a very poor experience. The fact that the school has had three different heads of school in four years says something about it. The school is dishonest about how many students are on aid. They only give some aid to about 30% percent of the students there and of those students about 80% of them are in the less expensive and far less desirable (practically abandoned) elementary school.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2017

New Roads School does a great job of creating an academic environment that is appropriately challenging and supportive. It blends a strong core program with a well designed social program that builds a student's understanding of the world. The kids are genuine, which can be hard to find at LA Private schools. A great school for a well rounded program that is just as strong in the "academics" as it is in the arts.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2015

In response to the last comment: A new director is in place now, and even when the previous one was there people were not "leaving left and right." My child has been at the school for six years and has always been very happy. We love the teachers, administrators, and families. If you want an environment where kids can really be themselves and experience a genuinely diverse demographic (not just "multiculturalism" taught at a nearly-all-white wealthy school), there is no better place than New Roads. The arts are also very strong at our school. The rest of the private schools can keep their fancy buildings; I prefer to be at a place that makes a public-school alternative more affordable for kids who want it.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2015

I completely disagree with the previous poster. New Roads is not in the least dedicated to social justice and the administration is dreadful. I am loathe to even give the school one star. We were at New Roads for four years and while many of the teachers are lovely, and the previous head of the school was a lovely man...but the current director is so terrible that people are leaving left and right...if you are considering NR, I would advise you check into it thoroughly. Speak to parents there and see what they say...
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2012

My daughter started New Roads in ninth grade this fall and we're thrilled with the place. The entire community is thriving, vibrant and diverse. The communication between faculty and parents is outstanding. The teachers themselves are incredibly dedicated and creative, and the emphasis on how to be a good person in a rapidly changing world is incredibly valuable.
Submitted by other on June 13, 2012

This school's main goal is to teach kids about social justice and equality. I would recommend this middle school to anyone, especially with the new facility. However, plan on other high schools if you can. While the middle school is excellent, the high school is average. (3.5/5 stars)