The Newton Middle School (grades 5-8) is designed to prepare students for a variety of high school opportunities.

The primary goals of our program are to further academic skills and learning, foster independence and responsibility, and sharpen study habits and organization skills. Our academic program is guided by the Virginia Standards of Learning. Students in our middle school take the core subjects of Reading, Writing and Math every morning in 45-60 minute blocks, following the same schedule each day until 1pm. Science or Social Studies are taught each afternoon along with electives.

“We are thankful for every day that we have The Newton School in our lives. We struggled to find the right school for our very bright son who didn’t function well in a larger, more traditional school environment. Our son has been a student since 4th grade and is now thriving as an 8th grader and ready to graduate and move on to high school, something that was hard to imagine 5 years ago. The small, structured classes taught by outstanding teachers have provided our son with tools to help him advocate and better understand himself. Not only has our son thrived academically, but perhaps more importantly, has truly developed socially and emotionally. Allison has been there the entire way—researching to know that students learn differently! When COVID happened, she didn’t miss a beat and developed an e-learning solution where students were virtually “in” school consistently and synchronously.”

– Parent to an 8th grade student

In reading, students typically participate in reading groups incorporating read aloud opportunities and group discussions. The focus is to develop comprehension skills and critical thinking abilities. With our small class sizes and supportive culture, each student is able to share his or her thoughts and opinions with peers and use these discussions to develop higher order thinking skills.
Writing is an important aspect of our program; there is a dedicated Writing subject block every day for our middle school students. Our curriculum incorporates graphic organizers, webs and other supports to assist with idea generation and organization. Students are taught to proof-read and edit their work through visual checklists and teacher support. Students write and type using their laptops which are provided and maintained by the School.

“The Newton School provided our son with a challenging educational environment where it allowed him to thrive academically and socially. He received a strong educational foundation and he made some lifelong friends. His confidence grew. We knew how special the place was but one realizes it more when you step away and move on to high school.”

— Mom to a recent 8th Grade Graduate

Our **Mathematics program** is unique in that it is highly differentiated to meet the needs of each of our students – for those who excel in math and for those who struggle with the concepts and processes. The Newton School goes to great lengths to group our students at appropriate levels and customize the content for each type of learner.
**Science and Social Studies** are taught using a multi-media approach incorporating videos, visuals, manipulatives, textbooks, and traditional written work. Experiments are a key focus of our science curriculum as are special projects in Social Studies. We find this approach makes the content tangible and relevant for the students.

“In our view The Newton School is the best kept secret in education, bar none. Our son has been a student of Newton’s since first grade (now a thriving sixth grader!). In his time with Newton, he has come from a pretty low educational base to a high achieving, motivated, and all around happy and stress free child. All of this is directly attributable to Newton. Allison and her wonderful team have created an incredibly rigorous, caring, and exciting learning environment. To this day we are in awe how well organized and prepared Allison and team were for the life altering event that has been the covid-19 pandemic. The academic standards have remained exceptionally high, and more importantly, a safe and healthy ecosystem continues to be maintained for both the kids and teachers. We highly recommend Newton as an institution, and do regularly recommend it to personal friends and acquaintances.”

— Parents of a sixth grader

Middle school students participate in two movement blocks each day, usually interspersed between core academic blocks in the morning. Movement consists of small group physical activity in one of the designated areas of our 15,000 square feet of gym space, which includes trampolines, a foam pit, a ball pit, a basketball court, a sports room, and an obstacle course. We believe that this physical activity enhances the overall school experience through increasing motivation, social opportunities and self-regulation.
Art, Music, Coding and Public Speaking/Debate are taught one to two times per week by professionals who are experts in their subjects. Students enjoy expressing themselves through painting and other visual arts as well as through performing.

“We are so thankful for The Newton School for our 7th grade son. He is thriving in the small classroom environment and we love that things like social skills, cooking, and lots of movement are part of their curriculum. Allison Abraham’s hard work and dedication, as well as the staff, are evident in every communication between parents and school. The school has also handled the COVID-19 pandemic very safely and worked hard to keep school open which we appreciate immensely. If you have a student that does not thrive in a traditional learning environment, I would highly recommend you check out The Newton School!”

— Mother of a seventh grader

Weekly field trips are a unique and special aspect of the curriculum at the Newton School. The outings provide hands-on, real world learning experiences. Middle school students have participated in private tours to the Capitol, the Washington Monument, The Fairfax County Courthouse, and The Howard B. Owens Science Center; they have attended musicals and dramatic performances at The Kennedy Center and Imagination Stage; and the students have participated in team-building events at Adventure Links and nearby sports facilities.
Middle school students typically spend from one to two hours per night on homework, depending on the grade level and course work. Students are provided with a single binder with all internal components to ensure they are using a structured system to keep them organized at school and home. As well, each student participates in a weekly Organizational Skills class to increase their Executive Functioning skills such as time management and planning, further preparing them for the demands of high school.

“The Newton School is an institution that has provided an incomparable learning experience for our child. Our son went from an emotionally distressed student to one that is eager to walk into school each day. The teachers and school administration work harmoniously with a singular purpose, to enhance the minds of each student and it shows.”

— Mother to a sixth grader