NewGate School

5237 Ashton Road

Sarasota, FL 34233

23 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 04, 2025

We are new to the Montessori community, and have our two sons enrolled in the primary school. We can see the difference it is making in our 3 year old. He is more patient, likes to teach us what he learned, he guides his little brother around and helps him calm down. This is clearly a reflection of the education he is receiving at the school.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2024

So tired of this school. Was convinced it would be a good environment for my daughter but turned out to be one of the worst. Teachers show no support and are terribly lazy with their teaching for such an expensive school.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2023

New Gate has been an immeasurable and invaluable blessing to our family! Having searched for many years to find the "right fit" for our children, it was immediately clear upon walking onto this campus that the school was something truly special and very rare. It feels like arriving home, and the staff feel like old friends and family. There's a warmth and a welcome that makes it so different in an amazing way from any other education building. There is so much thought and effort that goes into creating an atmosphere for kids and families to feel safe and loved, and in ensuring that every kid is well taken care of, and that each family is satisfied and comfortable. Their dedication is evident in all they do! My youngest son arrived to New Gate following year 2020 unable to read and scared to even enter the classroom without breaking down. In just a few short months, with the encouragement of his teacher and classmates, and support of staff and head-of-school, he could not only READ with no trouble, but he could also walk right into his class without hesitation, and had made friends with everyone in his class! The difference in his spirit, confidence, and ability was like NIGHT and DAY! I am ever-so-grateful for their commitment to each student and family to make the most of their time and experience on campus. Thanks for all you do New Gate!
Submitted by parent on July 05, 2023

Recomendaría la Escuela NewGate a todos los padres interesados en que sus hijos aprendan en un ambiente de paz, creatividad, respeto y mucho amor. Donde la Comunidad participa activamente de las actividades que se realizan tanto dentro como fuera de las aulas. Se siente como tener una gran familia dispuesta a ayudar en todo momento. Las aulas son exquisitamente preparadas y espaciosas. Es sin lugar a dudas una educación de excelencia.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2022

Our child spent a number of years attending this school before a move took us out of state. We returned two years later to Newgate. Our first experience was mostly positive. Communication was not great and in the year before we left the quality of teaching plummeted in our child's classroom, however they had some brilliant teachers for other age groups and the ethos of the school was inclusive and positive.When we returned we had an absolutely horrible experience. I would not recommend any child attend this school in it's current guise. It was borderline abusive.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2019

NewGate School is an amazing school, I am do not know where my family would be without it!!
Submitted by other on September 14, 2019

My experience with NGS has been positive; the leadership, faculty and families work in partnership to create a program of academic rigor, positive social-emotional skills, and a kind and respectful community.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2019

I am thankful that we have found this school and Tim Seldin, the headmaster, 20 years ago. We gave it a try for 6 months, and when we saw the potential we moved to Sarasota permanently, for that school.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2018

Oh how happy and exited I was , that we picked the great school for our son ! Right ? We only want the best for our little one ! Turned out, I signed myself and my toddler for a big surprise of disrespect and poor communication from his teacher at expensive school . All I wanted to know , how was his day , just a little feedback about his day . Apparently, it is way too much to ask for !!! Teacher has no time to talk to you at drop off or at pick up ! Do not answer questions you ask through email and just disrespect you ! Three weeks down , my son cry’s more and more with every new week and saying louder and louder - mommy no school ! Okay , may be it is an adjustment period , I get it ! But , I feel like I bring my child to this great Montessori school , leave him there and have no right to know what my child is doing for 6 hr ! All I know he is not eating , drinking or sleeping there ! They do not help kids to eat ! They just expect 2yo eat by themselves, which is great , for a kid who actually eating . When child is not eating , it means he needs help . Nope ! He doesn’t ! Ah . Now I know what to ask and what to look forward before I ever sign for another school ! Turns out this Montessori school is very poorly managed , and teacher is very disrespectful ! Today I left with my child crying ! And with a feeling that I never want to take him back there again ! Teacher had time to talk to a parents before me , but when I asked simple question - how long did my son sleep today ? the answer was - I don’t have time to talk to you right now ?!!! After I walked to a car she was smiling a talking to another mom ! What is this ? And why ? I will not recommend this school to anyone !
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2015

New Gate has been such a breath of fresh air for our son!! He's been a student here for 4 years now and will be graduating in the next 2. His education is second to none. I am so impressed with all the knowledge these teachers instill in their students here. And, in my opinion, not having public school like ways has been key for most of the students excelling. My son has been able to go on great research trips and field trips to learn hands on what they have studied. We are very grateful parents for New Gate and all their opportunities!!
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2015

Don't waste your money!!! the first impression looks like a very good options but then you stared to open your eyes....they don't prepared the students to the real world. Is a overcrowded classrooms. Honestly, think twice before to choose this school. Is overrated and overpriced.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2014

NewGate is always focused on the true Montessori method. This means not only the in the high quality of education, but also that families are involved and educated. The learning more individualized than any other school I've seen. After working in various public, charter, private and alternative schools for 15+ years, my biggest frustration was always the inability of schools to change the things that needed to be changed. NewGate is a small school and the administration is always available for discussion. This means that when changes are needed, they are discussed promptly and remedied. The families are so involved with the school that we are all one big family. I'm so happy that I found this treasure for my children.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2014

You know the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child"? NewGate is my village. My son has been at the school since he was 18 months old. He's 9 now. Every day when I pick him up he still begs, "Please, Mom, can we stay a little longer?" Yes, he is an amazing reader, conversationalist and does math that most children don't do until they are 13. But more important, he is happy and confident; He is a good friend, a competent mediator (when necessary), and a fair leader. He doesn't need pressure or stress to achieve, NewGate has given him a love of learning and the confidence to keep striving for his goals, even when they seem out of reach. I know he will be successful because he is not motivated by outside factors (like needing to pass a test), he is motivated by a love of a learning and the feeling that comes with true achievement.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2014

As a former Montessori 3-6 teacher at the largest Montessori school in the Bosron area and former Montessori student myself I came to NewGate with very high expectations. My six year old and 4 year old have been at NewGate two years and have run in the door every day - thrilled to be there. I love the community which has tons of engagement and events making it feel like a family. My kids are thriving and we will be there for many years to come.
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2014

For 12k per year, I expected better. Maybe my expectations weren't right. As a professional, I thought I would receive communication and feedback. There are no report cards, no assessments and the only feedback is parent-initiated conversation. Is my child learning enough? I really don't know. There is never any homework at mid-grade level. Are there home reading assignments? Not sure. Did my child turn in every assignment? I don't know. It is a very positive, supportive environment, which is great. We will find out when she changes schools if she learned as much as she should have.
Submitted by parent on March 24, 2014

Montessori is a great philosophy, but this school does not have the best interest of the kids at heart. This may have once been an excellent school, but now the quality of education is not up to grade level standards. Many students that leave this school are in need of tutors to catch up when they join another school.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2013

We are firm believers in Montessori for early education & our 2 older children in Montessori from 18 mths to 4/5 years of age in the NorthEast. Our goal was the same with our youngest. When we moved to Sarasota we placed our youngest in New Gate (he was 3 & turned 4 during the school year). HUGE disappointment! The class had over 25 students & the primary teacher had zero kill or energy to help the children learn. Our child was allowed to wander outside without any supervision & we only learned about it from another parent who frequently volunteered & was worried about our child because the teachers didn't notice or care when our child was repeatedly outside unsupervised. Additionally, when we inquired why our child still didn't seem to know his ABC's, we were 1st told he did but he was just stubborn, a month later we were told he may have a hearing problem, & their final excuse was that he may have a learning problem. Both doctor & psychiatrist said he was perfectly healthy & intelligent. Apparently, 2 other sets of parents had the same experience. Montessori YES - NewGate NO- this school is overcrowded w/ incompetent or uninterested teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2013

As a long time parent at this school, I've seen many leadership changes. With all those, the bottom line still remains the same. Great for the younger children, still trying to "figure it out" for the older children. This school can't be beat for the younger children, hands down the best in town. From middle school on, it's just the opposite. Montessori is done well in other parts of the world right up through college. Not here! It's a "labratory" school in the true sense of the word. You don't have the time to waste with your childs education, once they're a certain age, you must leave or your child will fall behind students in other programs around town. Sad but true. As for the "pending" IB program, they have along way to go.
Submitted by teacher on November 13, 2012

Last May a parent wrote a review critical of the school's leadership. NewGate was, and continues to be an excellent school. It lost its way for a time, in part because of the economy, but also because there was a strong perception that NewGate was drifting from its Montessori roots. Independent schools must have a very clear identity and offer an educational experience that is distinctly different from what is found in other schools. In 2010, NewGate's board asked the Montessori Foundation to take the school under its wing as its Lab School. NewGate is once again under the same leadership that originally developed the school into one of the best known independent Montessori schools in the US. Montessori does not appeal to every family, but it works! When done without compromise, it prepares students exceptionally well for both university and for life.NewGate sees each student as an individual, not a number. It teaches students to think deeply, enjoy the process of discovery, and find their own voice. The school is a community of people who share common values. This is the sort of school that most of us wish we could have attended. Come see for yourself.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2012

Very poor leadership here. They have a new headmaster now... and I believe it has perhaps even merged with another school (?) or something to that effect. I wish them better success. Montessori is definitely a great approach to high school academics and self esteem.--this school just needed some real leadership with some more vision. Perhaps they have it now. Love the idea of Montessori. Wish I had done the same with my son when he was younger, as opposed to traditional public schools. It makes a WORLD of difference. Try montessori based schools. They are not for everyone, but I like the whole idea and think it helps build self esteem as opposed to what they very often do in the public schools ( often tear down any self esteem).