New Town High School

The school is good academically, but could use some improvement as far as discipline actions. I actually dread visiting during evening hours because the children can be a little loud and unruly. The dance department leaves a lot to be desired because there seems to be no variety. There are many forms of dance (modern, tap, jazz, hip hop) but there is a favoritism towards ballet and modern (at least during the performances). My middle school aged daughter has shown an interest in dance as a magnet, but I don t think I will be sending her to Newtown high due to the lack of variety in the dance program. It s a shame because the school is so close to home.
—Submitted by a parent

It has been a good learning experience for my son. The school should be proactive in preparing students for SAT and ACT exams.
—Submitted by a parent

For me, a lot more could have been done by teachers, other staff, but MOST OF ALL PARENTS. A school can't be great if the parents don't cooperate with the teachers. A lot of times what I saw was parents defending their children's inappropriate behavior and not apologizing and that's pathetic. You go to school, do what you have to do to get good grades or straight A's like me and then move on. Don't blame teachers for YOUR CHILD'S constant failure. There is definitely something you're not doing as a parent if that happens. One other thing that the school should definitley improve on is preparations for college with seniors. Not school lunches (get over it) and not extracurricular activities. Stop worrying about how mean or nice the teacher is and focus on learning. That is all. :)
—Submitted by a student

As a long-time New Town parent (since the school opened), and as the current PTSA President, I believe I have some insights that other parents may not have. Anyone who has been a member of the New Town Family for a significant amount of time knows that as the school matures, many issues that new schools face become resolved. There is strong leadership at the helm of New Town, and staffmembers have embraced the vision. I encourage parents and students to take a more active role in New Town's maturation process, lending their wisdom, insights and strategies that will continue our positive growth. It's always much easier to complain than it is to roll up our sleeves and put in work.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has alot of growing up to do still and no student at this school feels the way as the comment below its school for crying out loud! Some teachers do try their best and then there is Dr. Miller anybody that went there nows what i mean lol
—Submitted by a student

the school is great and the teachers are good and they try there best.
—Submitted by a student

This past year was my daughter's first year. I was not at all impressed. I found the office staff very unfriendly. The counseling staff and counselor for the ninth grade seemed to be most uninterested in my concerns. I would not recommend this school. I am not sure exactly what I am looking for in a high school, but I can most certainly tell you that this is not it.
—Submitted by a parent

As a Class of 2007 New Town High School graduate, who now attends the University of Maryland College Park, I feel as though i didn't receive a enough support from the school. Students aren't well prepared for college. It seems that the school only concerns themselves about graduating students from high school. I (my parents) had to pay thousands of dollars to take SAT prep classes. Some classes are 'a waste of time.' You know there is a problem when your teachers come to class without a lesson plan or start selling candy to students. If i had a younger sibling who had a choice on which school to attend, even if zoned for New Town High School, I would make sure i wouldn't allow my younger sister or brother to fall behind the rest of America.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student who is a senior at New Town and I think I have gotten a fairly good education and I am very prepared and looking forward to College. The teachers at New Town assist those who want assistance and those who show the drive to suceed. New Town also offer excellent extracurricular activities and an equal oppurtunity to participate i am proud yop say I will graduate from New Town High School in 2008
—Submitted by a student

As a High School graduate of New Town High School, who now attends University of MD College Park, I feel as though that I received a great amount of support from the teachers and staff members. Many of the students are given chances to bring up their grades, and offered help. Some are willing to take the chances, while others disregard the given opportunities. Let's keep in mind that this is still a new school that is doing it's best to satisfy the needs of the students and is not purposely trying to seek failure in the students. As a new school, students need to become leaders, and choose to attend clubs and organizations, or else there should not be any complaints about not having enough clubs that student can participate in. The fact of the matter is that if teachers, parents and students need to come together.
—Submitted by Gabriela, a student

My son attends New Town, and I am thinking about removing him from the school. Although the extracurricular activities are really good, school safety and discipline is a mjor issue. The teachers , overall are not up to par, especially in the math and english department. Discipline, is poor. Gang activity is on the rise, and the administration has seems to have no clue of how to effectively deal with it.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a fairly new school. Like any new process or organization, there are kinks that need to be resolved. It is my opinion that my daughter did not receive quality math instruction while attending New Town. There was a high turnover in math teachers and my daughter has suffered in math development. This school lis not a title I school and therefore, students are not eligible for free tutoring by a state supplemental service provider. As a result, I am having to pay for tutoring and a summer program to assist my daughter with her college placement tests. I am not happy with the lack of communication from the school. While i do agree that students should be responsible with giving their parents information that sent home by the school. Historically, this process has not worked on the high school level. We all lose in this process.
—Submitted by a parent