Isidore Newman School

I have a sixth grader at Newman - no better school in New Orleans - hands down. If someone feels they have been treated poorly because of their socio-economic status, please bring this to the attention of your advisor. I find the kids to be upbeat, fun and competitive - all tools which will help them achieve. Faculty and admin are very responsive - facilities and extra curricular programs top notch. If you are in the "market", please take a visit.
--Submitted by a parent

In my opinion, Newman is the best school in the New Orleans area. With the highest level of academia as well as a great amount of offered assistance in the classroom setting, it sets the standards for education. There is no doubt that students from Newman go off to do greater and more impressive things as well as excel in a college setting no matter what their grades were while attending the school itself. The only downside of this school is the price, but it is well worth it for the level of education and preparedness that it allows its students to feel when they depart for their college careers. With this being said, Newman is one of if not the best choice for schooling in the New Orleans area.

If education is a priority, this is the school for your kids!!! We are not rich or affluent but are willing to pay the premium in order for our kids to get the very best education available today. Neither of my children find the school pretentious or snobby.....quite the opposite in fact. Everyone we have ever been in contact with has been warm, understanding and eager to help our children be the best students they can. Teacher / parent communication is outstanding and there is genuine caring and concern for the students well being. LOVE LOVE this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I cannot say enough good things about Newman. The only downside is the price tag. Thankfully they also offer a lot of financial aid. The teachers and administrators are the very best. If we weren't moving, we'd have all of our children at Newman until college. The absolute best education a child can have, i my opinion!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student in middle school, and I absolutely love it. The schoolwork is sometimes overwhelming, but not over the top. I am very athletic, and I love the sports program. My friends are the best even though there are cliques. Even though Newman is pretty dang expensive, no one judges eachother by it. Overall, once again, I have to say Newman is pretty great!
--Submitted by a student

Newman is a school for your typical over-achieving snobby rich kid. Kids discriminate kids for the smallest things. The Academics are good but if you have a struggling student due to either lack of interest or learning disabilities this is definitely not the school for you. Teachers are more interested in the children who are successful instead of figuring out what's wrong with the kids who aren't. Personally I will never send my kids to this institution because I wouldn't want them to turn into to people like my fellow classmates.
--Submitted by a student

I am a recent grad from Newman and went there for 13 years. I had an amazing experience and was able to participate in sports, debate, theater, student government, and other activities as well as get a top-notch education that has served me well in college and allowed my classmates and I to graduate as well rounded adults. Newman has always had excellent athletics and is now significantly expanding its arts department (including dance studios and more drama opportunities). The Head of School is really involved and the faculty is great (I still keep in touch with some of them). I never found the students there to be snobby or felt the need to be 'socially connected' (because I definitely was not). If anything Newman has become more and more diverse over the years.
--Submitted by a student

Academically, this is a great school. The majority of the students are very intelligent, and are interested in getting a good education, and most of the teachers are top-notch as well. The athletic and instrumental programs are also very strong. However, this school is the most elitist, snobby schools I have ever attended. Because I do not come from the same wealthy background as the other students, my siblings and I were often excluded and shunned by the numerous cliques of snobby, spoiled children. We have since moved to another state (due to Hurricane Katrina), and we are all much happier and content at public school. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this institution to anyone but children from rich families with social connections.
--Submitted by a student

You're correct in that Newman is no longer the school it was before Katrina. It's more open, more focused, and stronger than it has been in the 14 years my children have been there. With administrators from some of the nation's best schools (Choate, Lawrenceville, Pace) and a Head of School from the top-ranked Cherry Hill School District, the future of Newman is brighter than ever. There's an energy and an excitement that wasn't there before. The children are stimulated and cutting-edge ideas are being implemented in the classroom. You are right - Newman and New Orleans are not the same as they were before Katrina.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree that Newman is no longer the best. I had 2 children (one high school, one middel)at Newman and moved one after Katrina because of an elitist mentality and a lack of communication on the part of the faculty. I am close to moving the other child, there are many weak links at Newman today. It pays to look at other schools in the area.
--Submitted by a parent