Parents choosing a school for their young child have a wide range of choices when it comes to educational philosophy – from Montessori programs to strict academic curricula. At Newbury, we have designed a program that incorporates what we feel are the best aspects of the most prominent educational approaches. We strive for a balance of child-driven learning with academic structure, always providing a nurturing, warm and supportive environment that makes school a positive experience. Above all, our philosophy dictates that children come to see learning as fun and school as a place they want to be each day.
Newbury school follows a traditional school calendar with new classes beginning in the fall each year. The children stay together as a group and move to the next level once a year. September is the primary entry point for incoming students. A waiting list is typically in place, and we encourage parents to contact us as early as possible to provide the best chance for admittance.
There is no obligation or fee required when placing your name on the waiting list. You can call the school or email and the only information we need is parent's name, child name, birth date or anticipated birth date and two contact telephone numbers. Once your name is on the list, we can contact you as soon as an opening occurs.
It is difficult to know when an opening will occur or to know what class may have an opening. Typically openings only occur during the school year if a family's circumstances change. When that happens, we ask the family to give us a minimum of two weeks notice. As soon as we get the notice, we then go to the waiting list and call the family next on the list with a child whose age is appropriate for the class.
You don't need an appointment to visit Newbury School. We offer tours every school day between the hours of 9:30 and 11:00. This allows a prospective family to visit the classes when they are actively engaged in learning opportunities rather than lunch or nap times.
Newbury School students in preschool wear a school uniform consisting of a Newbury shirt and either khaki or navy blue pants, shorts or skirts. The shirts are available for purchase at the school. All students are required to wear closed-toe shoes for safety.
Each preschool classroom has dedicated computers to provide early exposure to information technology.
Before and after-care is available, with priority given to siblings of enrolled students on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for more information.
Students staying through lunch must bring their own lunch. Healthy mid-morning and afternoon snacks are provided. Friday is “Pizza Day,” for students who wish to purchase a pizza lunch.
Newbury closes for all the typical holidays. Newbury observes Martin Luther King, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Additionaly we observe a Spring Day which is usually a Friday in March or April, we close Thanksgiving Day and the day after and we close at 1PM on Christmas Eve and reopen January 2. The Friday before the new school year begins in August is a day that the school is open to teachers and staff, but children do not attend. This is the day the teachers prepare the classrooms to welcome the students to their new class. It is a very exciting day for all the children to walk into their class and see all the new decorations and the spaces reserved with their name on it. Tuition is payable even when classes are not in session since the tuition is an annual commitment divided into 52 payments.
Newbury determines whether we will close independent of Anne Arundel County. Since we are not providing bus service we do not need to close as often as the county closes. We will close or delay opening if the weather would make it unsafe for the staff or families to drive to the school. Changes in the school schedule is communicated on all the local TV stations as well as on our website.
