Newton North High School

My third/last child graduates this year. We've had excellent experiences our entire ten years at North. Teachers are totally dedicated. The size/diversity of the school mean that a variety of courses can be offered & even students who are not "typical" are able to find compatible friends. Kids are able to take advantage a wide range of subjects - often taught at different levels, "hands-on" classes such as culinary & greengineering, language instruction such as Chinese up to the AP level & many other AP level classes. My kids were able to participate in band, athletic teams, science team, chess club & robotics team. There are international exchange programs, varied clubs & an excellent drama program. For my son with special needs (ASD), North was clearly the right place for him - Guidance & Special Ed were team members with us from the spring before 9th grade until the day he graduated & beyond. He was given accommodations & a facilitator who helped him organize & stay on schedule for assignments & was also an intermediary between him & his teachers. A room was available anytime for him to get help w/ work or decompress. North was absolutely a positive for my 3 very different kids.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was an honors student at Day Jr High and fell to a C-D average at NN. He fell throught the cracks in this huge schoool and was allowed to graduate with the barest requirements. The school offers an amazing curriculum but there was no student oversight. There was an open campus with too much free, unstructured time.There is an amazing theater department but It was basically a huge party school. I am terribly disappointed and would never recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm in 10th grade at Newton North and I must say I've so far had a good two years here. Most of the students are friendly and easy to get along with. The teachers are nice and helpful for the most part (with definite exceptions, particularly for certain 10th grade history teachers). There are a lot of extra classes to take, which is good, but unfortunately I have an extremely incompetent guidance counselor who will not let me switch out of a stupid class that I wish I hadn't signed up for, which is losing the whole school a star for me. One things that worries me is that most of my classes have gotten bigger since last year, which ticks me off a little because I know how much they're spending on new computers and equipment, and not to mention the new school. I'd rather see more teachers being hired.
—Submitted by a student

newton north has taken excellent care of my grand daughter and I am very grateful for the education she has been given. My three children have also had a great education at the high school.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a great school with wonderful moral atmosphere and lot of opportunities for students
—Submitted by a teacher

Great academic offerings, wonderful teachers and a great sense of community.
—Submitted by a parent

extraordinary school - dedicated faculty, great facilities, high standards.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a rising sophomore at Newton North and I thoroughly enjoyed my freshman year at NNHS. There are so many great opportunities, the teachers (or at least my own) were great for the most part, and the classes were not too difficult or easy. I was able to find a niche in the incredible theatre program (Theatre Ink), and the students in the group were amazingly welcoming and kind. I look forward to my next 3 years at Newton North.
—Submitted by a student

I'm an (A) student here at North. I have no study halls or frees, because I want to take advantage of the great classes here. This means that I generally go to bed around 11-12 every night, since I have to practice two instruments. But it's worth it. Every night I go to bed and I can't wait for the next day. Extracurriculars are fantastic. I personally am on science team and it's a blast. So many clubs! Here, you can get an great education, just as good as any private school, but you have to want it. They won't pamper you. And also, you'll learn quickly that it's ok to get extra-help, and teachers are fantastic about doing whatever they can to help you. You learn as much in high school as elementary and middle school put together so it's important to learn to put time into it.
—Submitted by a student

My two cents. My daughter is a freshman this year at Newton North. She was a B student in middle school and slipped to D's at NN by midyear. Yes, she WAS falling through the cracks, but I met with all the teachers and guidance counsellor and now, a semester later, her grades are on the upswing and she is happier. She has no free time. Her two study halls are supervised by a math/science tutor who does help her. Next year she will have zero scheduled study halls because she is taking a government elective. So my advise is close parental monitoring. The school does offer great opportunities. By the way, I get timely responses from all her teachers via email.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was an honor roll student in Newton schools until he went to NNHS, and there he got completely lost in the overly large student body, an open campus that allowed him too much unstructured party time, and faculty that allowed him to graduate with only the barest essential of required courses. I think it is basically a party school. I was extremely disappointed in NNHS and do not recommend it at all.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school big enough to offer everything (and more) than one would expect in a public high school; and yet the sense of individual communities fitting within the larger whole is strong enough so that the size never seems unmanagable. The teachers are by and large excellent (with exceptions) and the principal, Jen Price, is by far one of the most exceptional leaders of a school in the state, if not the country. This is an amazing school.
—Submitted by a student

The student population is much too large. It's very easy for a student to fall through the cracks. They have a very relaxed policy with not much structure. If your child is rebellious or lazy, they will put him or her in a 'special program' or 'course of study' which requires them to do practically nothing and pass at it. I find the open campus to be much too open. It seems the emphasis is on the students comfort at school more than the necessities of school work needed to be done.
—Submitted by jh, a parent

Too large of a student population. Responses by guidance department, teachers, headmasters, coaches, etc. either non-existent or extremely slow.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a former student of Newton North High School. I graduated in 2002 with the Riley Class. There is not one negative thing I can say about my experience at NNHS. I would do the four years all over again in a heartbeat. I felt completely prepared for college and I know it's because of the wonderful teachers I had at NNHS.
—Submitted by Sandra, a former student

Its an awesome school that knows diversity, and strives to make each student reach the highest of their capabilities. Truly a comprehensive school. The Athletics progam is one of the best in the counrty, and works hard to improve day after day. The teachers and faculty are involved with the parents and students. Once the student is settled in the school, it is really a place where you can fit in, in whatever the student feels most comfortable doing.
—Submitted by Andrea, a student