There are 15 elementary schools in Newton. The elementary schools feed to four middle schools and two high schools. School feeder patterns are assigned according to address.

Each address in Newton is assigned to a school. Students are required to attend their neighborhood school unless approved to attend another school through the School Transfer Requests placement process or specific program placement. If you find that you are assigned to two schools, you live in Buffer Zone. See above for details on the Buffer Zone process for Kindergarteners.

Each year, the Newton Public Schools considers applications for students to transfer to a school outside of their home ("assigned") district. Out-of-Assigned district placements are limited and made on a space available basis. For more information on the policy, please visit this webpage.

Group tours are scheduled on a school-by-school basis during the orientation process. Individual school tours are not available.

Yes, the Newton School Committee policy for kindergarten age requirement is as follows:  

“Children who will be five years of age prior to September 1 of the school year during which they wish to enroll will be eligible to enter kindergarten for that school year.” 

This means that your child must be five years old on or before August 31 of the school year in which they are seeking enrollment.

Kindergarten entry in the Newton Public Schools is for all students who turn five-years old prior to September 1st. Children enter kindergarten with varied learning abilities and experiences. The Newton Public Schools encourages registration in kindergarten for all children who are age-eligible to attend. Massachusetts State Law requires a child must attend school in September of the calendar year in which they turn six-years old.

The Kindergarten day begins at 8:10 a.m. and ends at 2:50 p.m. Every Wednesday is an early release day and students are dismissed at 12:20 p.m. 

In Newton, there is no bus fee for any student in grades K-5. Please visit the Newton Transportation webpage at www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/214 for more information.

The City of Newton has created designated drop-off and pick-up areas at many schools in the city. These school drop off and pick up zones are commonly referred to as “Blue-Zones”. “Blue Zones” are designed to allow for improved traffic flow and safer drop-off and pick-up of students. “Blue Zones” are in effect Monday through Friday when school is in session. Information on the Blue Zone procedures for each school will be provided by the principal of the building.

Newton Public Schools offers an Early Morning Program for students in Grades K through 5 in each of the elementary schools. The program is fee-based and designed to provide a needed service by giving parents the opportunity to bring their children to school prior to the beginning of the regularly scheduled school day. Within the program, each elementary school will offer supervised before school care from 7:30 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. when students are admitted to their classrooms. Registration forms and other important information is located on our webpage at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/106.

Each elementary school has an after-school program for the enrichment and enjoyment of children in kindergarten through grade 5. The program is fee-based and separate from the Newton Public School System. These programs, along with some community-based after-school programs, are part of the Newton After-School Association (NASA), which was initiated by school-aged child care directors to create a support network among peers. Families should call the after-school program located at their particular school for registration fees, hours and space availability. Contact information for after-school programs can be found on our webpage at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/1165.

Immunization requirements can be found on the School Health Services webpage on the City of Newton's website.

Newton has a Life Threatening Food Allergy Policy. Parents whose children have a food allergy will meet with the school nurse and develop a Medical Emergency Plan. The School Committee Guidelines can found on our website at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/2902. Additional information on Medical Emergency Plans is on the Newton Health Department webpage - http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/health/school_health/default.asp

At registration, a screening, required by Massachusetts Chapter 766 State Law, is given to each child who will be entering kindergarten. This screening is not used to determine readiness for kindergarten. It is used only as a tool to provide local schools with information concerning any special learning needs a child might have before entering school.

Children come to kindergarten from a wide variety of experiences and settings and we do not expect all kindergarteners to know the same things on the first day of school. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you in determining how best to meet the needs of your child. If you have questions about your child’s readiness, please let the staff at your neighborhood school know the day of the kindergarten registration/screening.

Newton has a standards-based curriculum which is developmentally appropriate with strong focus on student learning. Curriculum is aligned to state and national standards and you can access the kindergarten curriculum overview document on our webpage at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/772.

Home/school communication is an important part of school attendance. Each classroom teacher and/or school will determine the best way to communicate between home and school regarding student learning. Parents are encouraged to contact classroom teachers with any information that they feel is important concerning their child.

Our primary goal is to create classes with a range in children's learning styles, interests and social maturity. A heterogeneous mix of students, who can flourish and learn together, is our most important consideration. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for specific teachers either named or described.