About NewGate

I have known and loved NewGate since 1993, when I first met this extraordinary community of teachers, students, and families. From 1994 to 2000 it served as the Montessori Foundation’s Lab School, and I served it as Head of School. During those years, NewGate blossomed, grew, and established an international reputation. For me, leading NewGate was, and is, a labor of love.

I appreciate the depth and breadth of NewGate’s international curriculum, the patient guidance of its Montessori teachers, and the spirit of kindness, warmth, and mutual respect. This is a gentle way to learn that leads to a world-class education without the stress, pressure, and needless competition found in most schools. It is a place where young minds grow organically in an unhurried atmosphere of inquiry and discovery.

In 2000, the NewGate board concluded that the parents of the school were ready to resume governance on their own. The Montessori Foundation returned its full attention to its work with Montessori schools around the world, and NewGate went its own way for the next ten years. In July, 2010, the NewGate board asked the Montessori Foundation to return to lead the school.

Neither the Head of School, Tanya Ryskind, nor I work for NewGate. I am the President of The Montessori Foundation, and Tanya is one of our Program Officers. For many years, the Foundation has worked with hundreds of Montessori schools around the world. For us, working with children, teachers, and parents to build excellent Montessori schools is a passion.

Returning to NewGate has allowed us to help revitalize a school that we love and has provided a Lab School, where, as people who work with Montessori schools and school administrators, we can develop curriculum and new programs, embody principles of best practice in Montessori education, and remind our senior staff of the challenges that the leaders of Montessori schools face.

While we love working with students and teachers at every level, one of our goals has been to develop a model for Montessori middle and high school programs around the world that integrates secondary Montessori education with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. We are pleased that NewGate is an IB World School and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program as a capstone to our Montessori high school experience.

We are working to refine a replicable model for Montessori secondary school programs that will be internationally respected, rigorous, with an international course of study and a high emphasis on research, discussion, and field experience.

The International Baccalaureate is an excellent match with Montessori.

Today, most existing public school IB programs are limited to only the most gifted few.

Montessori-IB programs are being designed to succeed with a wider range of college-bound students. Recognizing that NewGate had an existing secondary program, made the decision to return to NewGate absolutely compelling!

Tim Seldin
President, The Montessori Foundation
Executive Director, NewGate the Lab School of the Montessori Foundation

Accreditations

NewGate is accredited by the International Montessori Council (IMC), the Montessori school accreditation organization founded by the Montessori Foundation in 1998. The International Montessori Council (IMC) is an international organization that focuses on issues and concerns unique to Montessori Schools. NewGate School is committed to implementing the best and next Montessori practices.

NewGate is also accredited by Cognia,  an educational organization designed “to impact and inspire education providers to advance and enable pathways of success for all learners.”

NewGate is also an IB World School and is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma ( IB ) Program to students in grades 11 and 12.

NewGate believes the IB Diploma Program should be an experience that is challenging, positive, and manageable. Our Montessori-IB program is designed to succeed with a wider range of college-bound students. For information about the IB and its programs, visit ibo.org.

The Montessori Foundation

The Montessori Foundation was established in 1992 to create an independent source of assistance, encouragement, and support for the international Montessori community. The mission of the Montessori Foundation is to nurture, inspire, and support the development of strong, successful Montessori schools around the world.

The Foundation works with Montessori schools world-wide. Through its magazine, Tomorrow’s Child, books, videos, and other publications, it also works to promote interest and understanding of Montessori among parents, educators, and schools that are interested in learning more about Montessori education.

The Montessori Foundation sponsors workshops, institutes, online courses, and international conferences for Montessori educators, school administrators, and board members. The Montessori Foundation reflects a heritage of international education and a commitment to the highest standards of Montessori program and curriculum development, the implementation of cutting edge educational technology, the development of a strong sense of community and family friendliness within our schools.

In 1998, The Montessori Foundation organized and administers the International Montessori Council: an independent membership organization for Montessori schools, parents, and educators around the world. Through the IMC, the Foundation is able to offer a wide range of programs and support to Montessori schools around the world.

The International Montessori Council accredits Montessori schools, promotes best practices, encourages and recognizes innovative approaches to Montessori teacher education and professional leadership training.

The Montessori Foundation and International Montessori Council work together with Montessori schools, parents, and local and national Montessori organizations to promote the mission of the Montessori movement to encourage partnership-based parenting, partnership-based Montessori schools, and the highest standards of Montessori education.

Visit our website at montessori.org.