A NewGate Education
A NewGate Education
Today’s rapid technological and social change makes it increasingly difficult for us to understand and keep pace with today’s world. Learning how to learn optimizes our navigational and problem-solving skills.
NewGate students enjoy extraordinary educational opportunities helping them become deep thinkers and lifelong learners. They experience the many cultural traditions represented in the NewGate community. Students interact and learn with celebrated international scholars, artists, scientists, and business leaders. Engaged in local, national, and global service-learning projects, NewGate students learn about the world around them. Our course of study guides students on how to think clearly, do their own research, express themselves well in writing and speech, and put their knowledge to practical application.
Why NewGate?
Best and Next Montessori Practices
NewGate serves as the Lab School of the Montessori Foundation. As such, our goal is to embody the principles of best and next practice in Montessori education that the Foundation teaches to Montessori school leaders around the world.
We invite you to visit The Montessori Foundation (montessori.org). The Foundation literately ‘wrote the book’ on how to integrate Montessori principles into all aspects of school life, from an authentic Montessori program and curriculum at each age level to building a robust partnership-based community, student leadership, and family-friendly policies.
A Universal Curriculum
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- We put the world into the palm of our students’ hands, studying and celebrating cultures and nations.
- As the Lab School of the Montessori Foundation, which works with schools all over the world students have extensive connections and opportunities in international studies from the years of early childhood through high school graduation.
- We offer a two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for grades 11-12.
Second Language Study
- Spanish is offered for study as a second language.
- Native speakers are given opportunities to study other languages.
- Language Clubs are student-driven.
- Travel and immersion programs are encouraged.
An International Diverse School Community
- Our goal is to draw together a diverse group of children and families from all walks of life.
- We build tuition assistance into our annual budget.
- We accept Florida State Scholarships.
Sustainability
- We place emphasis on creating a sustainable environment.
- Students have ongoing lessons on living a life that is more in harmony with a sustainable environment.
- Each class participates in class or shared organic gardens.
A Family-Friendly School
- We have a limited number of spaces for 12-14 month olds.
- We offer a half-day for children three and younger.
- We offer an extended day program, starting at 8 am and ending our day at 5:30 pm for those who need a safe place for their children.
A Close Knit Montessori Partnership-Based School Community
- Our administrative and board decisions are based on clear, written values and principles of Montessori partnership (The Blueprint of Our Core Beliefs).
- All members of our school community can participate in a partnership-based process of ongoing discussion, planning, problem-solving, and self-study/program evaluation.
- We schedule many opportunities to come together as parents, students, and educators in celebration.
A School for Entrepreneurs and Leadership
- NewGate School teaches children to be economically literate and capable.
We help them understand business and personal economics. - Students 6 yrs old and older learn about local businesses, professions, and local government roles from various experiences.
- Students are encouraged and assisted in forming their small businesses for hands-on learning.
- Middle and High School students participate in workplace internships.
Technology & Communication
- We use technology as an effective tool for learning.
- We are committed to the ongoing emphasis of ethical, safe, and appropriate uses of technology.
A Peace Academy
- We teach partnership, peacemaking, and leadership skills to our students.
- Children learn how to communicate clearly and assertively in ways that express kindness and respect.
- They learn skills for conflict resolution, consensus building, and diplomacy.
- They learn about the world’s great peacemakers and leaders of nonviolent social change.
- We encourage our students to contribute to others through a tradition of community service and philanthropy.
The Montessori Community of Sarasota
As a Partnership-based Montessori community, we consciously create a Circle of Equals. There are no somebodies and nobodies, nor in-groups or out-groups at NewGate. Parents, educators, and children are all members of the school community.
The school is led by the Montessori Foundation, and school policies and decisions are based on its core values and principles of Montessori Best Practice, rather than an ever changing debate about the School’s mission and identity.
However, with strong Montessori leadership, comes a belief that, while core principles cannot be compromised, parents, teachers, students, and school leaders can and should explore issues and ideas together in a culture of kindness and respect.
We hold monthly School Community Meetings to provide one of several forums. We also offer a wide range of workshops and discussions on partnership parenting and how the school is preparing our children to face the challenges of a changing world.
We believe that a school can be a close-knit community of families who share common values, in addition to a place where children attend class. We welcome family involvement, but do not require it. Interested parents are invited to participate in many ways, from organizing celebrations to long-range planning. We do, however, expect each family to work closely with us to support their children’s education.
Montessori Community
An Environment for Learning
Montessori classrooms tend to fascinate both children and their parents. There are interest centers filled with intriguing learning materials, fascinating mathematical models, maps, charts, fossils, historical artifacts, computers, scientific apparatus and perhaps a small natural-science display.
Our classrooms are carefully prepared to stimulate children’s independence and intellectual development. You will not find rows of desks, even at the Upper School level; instead, the room will be set up to facilitate discussions and stimulate collaborative learning.
At the Early Childhood and Elementary levels, students will typically be found scattered around the classrooms, working alone or with one or two others. They tend to become so involved in their work that visitors are immediately struck by the peaceful atmosphere. At the Upper School, many classes will involve seminar discussions, individual research, thoughtful writing, and field experience.
Our teachers focus on each student as an individual, not on a daily lesson plan for the entire class. They nurture and inspire their students, teaching them to ask questions, think for themselves, explore, investigate, and discover. Our ultimate objective is to help students to learn how to learn things deeply and independently, holding on to the curiosity, creativity, and intelligence with which they were born. Our teachers don’t simply present lessons; they are facilitators, mentors, coaches, and guides.
They will normally be found working with one or two students at a time, advising, presenting a new lesson, or quietly observing the class at work.
We have three campuses, two are located in Sarasota, Florida. The third is an online campus serving students from all over the world. Our Ashton Road campus houses toddlers through upper elementary (6th grade) students. Our middle and high school students attend school at our Lakewood Ranch campus.
Our Campuses
The Special Appeal of the Ashton Road Campus
NewGate was established in 1984 by Kitty and Steve Williams on their family’s 5-acre organic farm on Ashton Road. As the school expanded, cottages were added, tied together with white fencing, gardens, shaded porches, a gazebo, and mature trees. The school has 10 classrooms, with room for 150 students. We have two playgrounds and an athletic field.
NewGate’s Ashton Road Campus feels like Old Florida; a series of cozy cottages, gardens, and shaded areas to meet or work outside. Our classrooms are our students’ homes away from home, and we make them as attractive and comfortable as possible. They are warm, vibrant rooms filled with plants, animals, art, music, and books.
Lakewood Ranch Campus – a beautiful campus for older students
The Lakewood Ranch is also known as The Center for Peace and Hope.
Set on 5 acres and bordered by more protected woodlands, the building was constructed as a gold-level LEED-certified building, one of the few in our region. It is breathtaking in its beauty and natural setting. There are pavilions, benches, and libraries, quiet spots for contemplation, bubbling fountains, a labyrinth, a walking trail, and a tall tower to observe the beauty of the nearby lake.
Like our Ashton Road campus, Lakewood Ranch has a relaxed and comfortable ambiance. There are seminar rooms, a lab, a large group meeting room, and a commercial kitchen where our students refine their culinary skills.
Global Campus – meeting the needs of international students
NewGate School formalized its online learning program in 2021 when several international students requested that we continue serving their needs. The online learning platform hosts Student and Parent Circles, content curriculum, and individualized learning opportunities for students in grades 7 – 12.
ASHTON ROAD
CAMPUS
Age 12 months to Grade 6
5237 Ashton Road,
Sarasota, FL 34233
Ph 941-922-4949
Fax 941-922-7660
LAKEWOOD RANCH
CAMPUS
Grades 7-12
5481 Communications Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34240
Ph 941-222-0763
Fax 941-922-7660
GLOBAL
CAMPUS
Grades 7-12
Students attend at home,
from all around the world
Ph 941-222-0763
Fax 941-922-7660