Well, for 18 thousand plus a year I would expect much more. Large classes in the lower grades, staff are leaving and/or have been let go, and behavioral issues. I have been paying more each year and getting less. I have two boys in the lower grades and it is difficult to justify keeping them there when there are so many excellent options in the public school and private around us.

There are benefits to a small school that can't be quantified. I've had 3 kids in this school and can say the teachers know my kids inside and out. Even the teachers who never had my kids - know them from other activities within the school. The small class size helped my kids who had learning issues. I appreciate the Quaker values woven throughout the curriculum. The school asks them to reflect a lot. The outcome of this is that the kids learn who they are, how to think independently, how stand up for themselves, what is the right thing to do - even if it is the unpopular thing to do. Sure, every school has it's issues but doesn't every school? I believe the new head of school is terrific and is swiftly addressing any issues the come up. If you want to see for yourself - attend a graduation. It's a moving and impressive experience.

We've had one kid recently graduate from NFS, and have one still there in Upper School. Not perfect maybe, nothing is, but we believe NFS is a much better fit for our kids than other schools. All in all we've had and are having a fantastic experience, with mostly great teachers who really care.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. For example, what Mari cites as a "huge mistake" I think was a good move. There's a lot of emotion here, understandably, what with the layoffs, etc., and maybe some axes being ground, who knows?

Each family has to find the best fit for them. I think many families who share Quaker-type values would be very happy here. We do know some people who were not (and certainly didn't espouse said values either!)
But our kids started from K and we are so happy we chose NFS. I encourage other parents to visit and give it a good look.

Disclaimer: I am a real parent and not a paid shill :-). Regarding the bit of flaming going on in these comments - I don't know the identities of any of the other posters.

In summary, I'd give NFS six stars if I could!

Wow, I thought perhaps I was the only one who felt the school had gone downhill in the last few years. Imagine my surprise to see others agreeing with me! Norval, when did your kids go to school there? Mid 1950's? Shouldn't you mention your wife taught there? Why weren't you there in years past offering hefty donations of cash to keep the school afloat? Everyone knows what you did and who you are. I do agree that Dana is a really nice guy, but he inherited a load of manure from Steve N. The current admin and a few teachers need to be let go. Losing Steve Haines was a huge mistake. Keeping other teachers because of their race or gender is a 'coup' that the board thinks is a great idea---NOT. And the reason the open house brought so many visitors is because of the Catholic school system being revised, plus Grey Nun selling their land, leaving GN's future uncertain. Bill, if your kids are in lower school, I bet you will change your opinion once the kids get in upper school... Friendly member, thanks for agreeing with me. Most of the parents who have pulled their children from NFS tend to just write it off as a bad experience. I like to think I am helping others avoid the bad experience---NFS.

Please note that the two positive reviews (Bill and Norval) were made by members of the school committee. Norval, shame on you for talking about "objective analysis" given your and your wife's long time connection to the school, which you conveniently failed to mention in your "review." I do understand that the school is in dire straits due to the fiscal (and other kinds of) mismanagement by the former head of school and his team. Is the school committee writing these positive reviews to make up for the lack of oversight that allowed this mismanagement to happen? So you say Norval that you "looked into the current situation at the school" but what does that mean? Did you talk to any of the teachers? More importantly, did you or your wife talk to any of the many teachers who have been laid off (or chose to leave) in the past couple of years? How about you, Bill? My kids went to NFS several years ago and had good experiences as well. We thought it was an excellent school, and the kids always kept up with their former teachers, but the majority of them are gone now and those who remain are afraid of being the next to get the ax. It is not the school it once was you, Norval, know it.

Dana Harrison, the head of school at Newtown Friends School, has done a tremendous job in his 1+ years on the job. The school continues to stress academic rigor, more technology in the classroom, inclusiveness, values-based education and a low student-to-faculty ratio that allows faculty to know each child. Students consistently score higher than the average for independent school students on standardized tests, without "teaching to the test". (Comparisons to public school standardized test scores are difficult because public schools take a different standardized test.) NFS develops well-rounded students who do well academically and do good by their involvement in many causes in our area and around the world (from Mercer Street Friends in Trenton to freedom in Darfur). As reported elsewhere in these posts, students go on to some of the best high schools and colleges in U.S.. But more importantly, NFS tries to help each student choose the high school that is best for him or her.

The October open house at NFS drew a record crowd exploring if the school is a fit for their children. Many of these families have already applied for the 2012-13 school year. Our family is happy at NFS in our 5th year with the school. I serve on the School Committee (board of trustees) and my wife has served in leadership positions with the Parents Association.

Perhaps it was exceptional in your children 's day Norval however we've never been happier since pulled our two kids out to attend CR public schools. An arrogance permeated the staff and if you weren't a parent who contributed financially beyond your tuition, It was the second class treatment the whole way. Perhaps the new Headmaster has made it better but based upon our recent experience, it's two stars.

I just read the one-star post someone made about this school – and found it incredulous! Our two sons went to Newtown Friends School all eight years and graduated with excellent academic training, strong values, and a good sense of community service. Both now have MBAs from top schools. So I looked into the current situation at the school, and I am happy to report, this school is as impressive as ever! This school is an absolutely outstanding preK-8 elementary school. Last year’s graduates were accepted at some of the best prep schools in the country, including George School, Phillips Exeter Academy, Germantown Academy, Lawrenceville, Peddie, Stuart, and Princeton Day School. Previous graduates have gone to Phillips Andover Academy, Choate, Hill, Hun, St. Paul’s, and Penn Charter. Colleges attended by Newtown Friends School recent graduates include Harvard, Yale, Bryn Mawr, Bucknell, Colgate, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Haverford, Earlham, Johns Hopkins, Oberlin, and Oxford (England). The new Head of School, Dana Harrison, has great credentials and seems to be doing a superb job with an outstanding faculty. I give Newtown Friends School five stars and more! I think any objective analysis would agree.