List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• How many students attend The Newman School?

  252

• What grades do you offer?

  We support students in grades 7 through 12.

  PG students are also welcome.

• Where do your students come from?

  Students come from 55 towns around Boston and around twenty countries from around the world.  Our families speak sixteen different languages at home along with English.

  
  Many of our Newman families hold dual citizenship and speak multiple languages at home.

• What percentage of students receive financial aid and how does it work?

  About 40% of Newman families receive financial aid. It is given based on the need of the family. All families interested in aid must apply through the Clarity website by January 31st for the following school year. Please refer to the financial aid page for more information. Not all aid requests can be met every year but we do our best to make Newman possible for as many families as possible.

• How do I apply?

  Click on the "Apply Now" button at the bottom of any page.

• How many students are in classes?

  Newman class size average is ten students. Some specialized classes have four to seven students. Some classes that are more general have up to sixteen students.

• Do you offer AP courses?

  While many students opt to take AP exams alongside their IB work, we do not offer AP coursework.

  
  We offer two comprehensive diploma options: IB diploma (IB DP) and Newman's own diploma, which mixes high level and standard level courses along with requirements outside of course content (extended essay, creativity, action and service, amongst others) to help students develop their whole selves across the pillars of the IB learner profile. Many IB DP candidates graduate fulfilling not only high school coursework, but receive college credits, often placing them one to four semesters ahead of first year undergraduate students.

  
  As IB learners, we strive to be: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective.

• Do you require standardized testing?

  All standardized testing is optional (other than a language assessment for students whose first language is not English). In lieu of these scores, we will give students a real time writing prompt during the Zoom interview.  Students will spend fifteen minutes responding to a prompt in a Google shared doc. 

• What does a typical school day look like for a Newman student?

  This depends on the grade level.

  • For all students, classes begin and 8am with a six-person advisory group led by their advisory teacher.  They finish classes at 2:35 or 3:35 depending on the day. They then participate in sports, clubs, activities at the YMCA, volunteer work, and outside activities should they be involved in programs outside of Newman.  Students also join clubs and activities during the school day at 10:00. 
  • Varied meetings such as all-school meetings (Tuesday), (by houses on Mon. and Thurs.), competitions, games, and presentations from outside groups and organizations intermingle within the schedule.

  Grade specific programming:

  • Students in grades 7 & 8 study Math, English, History, Science, and Spanish. They also take a rotating class of courses in Back Bay Culture (using the city as the campus), East Asian Studies (with foci in Mandarin and culture), Theatre, Design, Music, Art, and Film.
  • Students in grades 9 & 10 study Math, English, History, Science, one language (Spanish, French, or Latin) and one elective (Intro to Physics, Art Through Ideas, Music, Intro to Film, Intro to Computer Programming, Marine Biology, and a few others depending on the semester).
  • Students in grades 11 & 12 have highly varied schedules depending on focus points, high level and standard level courses, outside engagements, and diploma choice with options to study genres and specific courses in various mediums.

• What are the application deadlines?

  Completed Application:

  • Priority Applications (for students only applying to Newman): January 5, 2024
  • Standard Applications: January 31, 2024
  • Financial Aid Applications: January 31, 2024

  Decisions Made:

  • Priority Applications: February 5, 2024
  • Standard Applications: March 10, 2024
  • Financial Aid Applications: March 10, 2024

  Decision Deadline for Accepted Students:

  • Priority Applications: March 5, 2024
  • Standard Applications: April 10, 2024