Our founders looked around and they discovered that there wasn't a racially, culturally and socio-economically integrated school in Los Angeles. And they said to themselves, how has this American social experiment ever going to work if children can't live and learn together? New Roads was founded with the assumption that diversity enriches the education of the students and prepares them for life.
In an authentically diverse community reflective of Los Angeles, New Roads prepares young people for life by developing in them a personal dedication to learning, a respect for independent thinking, an expanding curiosity about the world and its people, and a commitment to the common good. New Roads cultivates a climate and culture that liberates the potential of each student and expands them into global citizens who embrace and respect the inherent worth and dignity of the full spectrum of humanity and our earth. Our collaboration with Dr. Dan Siegel grounded our Integrative Educational System in interpersonal neuroscience, enabling us to more intentionally actualize and map our empathic and compassionate intellectual habitat. This generative learning community cultivates in young people an awareness of the interconnected nature of reality and the tools to disrupt systems of inequality and to build a more just, sustainable future.
New Roads School has garnered local, national and international attention as a result of our unique approach. As one international visitor commented, "It's the only Independent School that I know of that is built on a model of inclusivity." We've welcomed International visitors who are interested in our work, partnered with local public, private and charter Schools for events, presented at many conferences and recently received much attention from the international exposure generated by our K-12 alumna, Amanda Gorman. We have also dedicated more of our efforts as "a private school with a public heart" in connecting and partnering with individuals and institutions to share insights and resources that deepen the teaching and learning of students and faculty within and beyond New Roads.
Guests are welcome to visit New Roads and observe and experience our Human Centered Integrative Educational System. We recently presented at the National Association of Independent Schools Annual Conference and created resources that provide a comprehensive overview that are available upon request from our Director of Community Engagement, Mark Vickers-Willis (mvickers@newroads.org).
