Admission at The New School

Empowering and Inspiring Each Student

The New School, founded in 1971 in central Fayetteville, is located on a beautiful 26-acre secure wooded campus where students ages one through grade 12 become lifelong learners guided by our core values of curiosity, character and community.

At The New School, we promote a child’s social-emotional growth, intellectual development and creativity. Our children learn in a positive environment with careful direction and guidance from teachers who care and know each child. The New School is committed to selecting outstanding teachers and supporting our educators with the highest quality of professional development.

Students at The New School are encouraged to explore and inquire in an environment enriched with opportunities in the arts and athletics while being challenged in academics.

Our rich extended day program, which is included in the cost of tuition, and summer camps provide opportunities for students to discover and develop their passions while building community among peers.

We are grounded by our school community that allows each child and family to be connected and valued. Our school programs promote kindness and cooperation among the school community and throughout the world beyond. Our students are inspired to become good citizens with a sense of responsibility and respect for others.

We are committed to giving all families the opportunity to explore the potential of an independent school. With different academic scholarship opportunities and a financial assistance program available, students are accepted based on their academic, leadership and character. The New School accepts students based on academic potential, leadership and character, not the ability to afford full tuition.

Families considering application to The New School are strongly encouraged to take a personal tour with our Admission Office. Parents can use the form linked below to request a tour date.

If you would like to request more information, please email or call.

Schedule Your Tour

From our Graduates

Not All Schools are the Same

Independent schools are often described as schools that offer an education for the real world. We believe that our graduates are socially well-adjusted and are better prepared to enter the workforce or excel in post-secondary education. Visit the National Association of Independent Schools website for more information on the value of an independent education.

Application and Admissions Process

The New School seeks to enroll students in our early childhood education, lower, middle, and upper schools who will benefit from our mission and program. The goal is to select a well balanced and diverse student body composed of students who will be successful at The New School.

Families considering inquiring or applying to The New School are strongly encouraged to take a personal tour with our Admission Office.

Schedule Your Tour

If you have questions about The New School or our admissions process, please contact our Admission Office at (479) 521-7037 or admission@thenewschool.org.

Early Childhood Education

The New School Early Childhood Program seeks to enroll children who will benefit from our mission and educational opportunities. We are dedicated to building a strong foundation and igniting a lifelong passion for learning in our children. We believe that every part of a child’s day is a learning opportunity. The New School day is full of experiences involving language arts, math and science, visual arts, music and movement, and play in the carefully planned classroom learning centers and studio art.

Kindergarten through Grade 12

The New School seeks to enroll students in our lower*, middle, and upper schools who will benefit from our mission and program. The goal is to select a well balanced and diverse student body composed of students who will be successful at The New School.

The Admission Committee carefully weighs a variety of factors when making admission decisions. Previous school records and teacher referrals are required for all applicants prior to admission consideration. Prior grades or developmental assessments, achievement test scores, conduct reports and attendance records will be taken into consideration. Parents of applicants should report special needs to the Admission Director and provide the results of any previous developmental/educational assessments. Upon receipt of applicant materials, an assessment of the prospective student will be arranged in order to determine if the candidate is the right fit for The New School.

*Please note all students applying for Kindergarten must turn 5 by August 30. If you have any questions please contact the Admission Office or the Lower School.

To apply to The New School create an account through Blackbaud, The New School's school management software, and submit your application.

Apply

The New School Policies and Reports

Non-Discrimination Policy

The New School is an independent school that respects, embraces, and celebrates diversity in its curriculum, student body, and staff. The New School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, color, national or ethnic origin in the admission of students, in hiring, or in the administration of its educational program.

The New School’s mission to provide a well-rounded experience implies a “whole child approach” to education. We believe that learning happens best when we honor the whole person. We support every person's right to define, express, and live comfortably within their own evolving identity. We are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that recognizes the worth of each individual. By embracing diversity, we are a stronger community.

The New School DEI Statement

We believe that a diverse, inclusive learning environment, where each community member feels a sense of belonging, is necessary to fully realize our mission of empowering students through a well-rounded experience and inspiring a love of lifelong learning. TNS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning community through our admission policies, hiring practices, professional development, curricular and extracurricular programming, and school culture. We are dedicated to the full inclusion and engagement of individuals with varied, often intersectional, life experiences. These diverse points of view within our school community contribute to The New School education, enriching the learning environment for all of our students. We strive to empower our students to engage in a complex, multicultural world confidently and compassionately and to thrive as lifelong learners, forever exemplifying our core values of curiosity, character, and community.

Immunization Compliance Report

In accordance with Arkansas House Bill 1786, Act 676, The New School provides the following information regarding students with immunization exemptions and current immunizations.

Immunization Compliance Report as of October 28, 2019

K-12 students with exemptions	5.86%	15
K-12 students with proof of being fully immunized	94.14%	241
K-12 students who failed to provide proof of exemption or immunization	0.00%	0