We heard from one New Dimensions parent last year, and I thought it might be valuable to share my experience, now 2 years in, as well as some of the changes since the last post. Full disclosure – I believe in this school so much I am now a part of the Board of Directors, the PR team, and a host of other committees. From my perspective, that makes my voice matter because the appreciation I have for the school today is far greater than it was exactly a year ago.
We chose New Dimensions for their smaller class sizes (currently 16:1 for K-5 and 24:1 6th-8th), their diverse student body, their ability to stray from some of the state mandates, and their close-knit community. We’ve stayed because of the encouraged parental involvement, their excellent school rating (this year, a B rating), and an incredible leadership team.
The first year at this school was okay for our family. I certainly had some concerns, but it still seemed like a pretty decent fit for us, and most importantly, for my child. I decided if I wanted to see changes, I really needed to invest my time in the school. That, paired with a great leadership change, has made this school a wonderful fit for our family.
New Dimensions now has a full-school security camera system, as well as a dedicated Safety Resource Officer from the City of Morganton Police Department. Sending my child to a safe environment was a driving force for our decision, and since enrolling at the school, that decision has only been reinforced ten-fold.
The small class sizes are a great benefit, but the teaching staff, as with most schools, is what truly makes the difference. They are empowered to lead classes, try ideas, and stretch their students’ abilities in so many ways. The culture of the school over the last year has grown to include a wide array of clubs, athletic teams, and programs.
My favorite part about this school? It’s free. That makes a great school accessible to a larger portion of the surrounding population who may otherwise not have a choice in where they can send children to school. There is not a bus system in place, but that comes with having a smaller school community. I realize that’s not a fit for everyone, so that is a downside if public transportation is a requirement.
New Dimensions is currently enrolling K – 8 through the beginning of April. They have open houses for middle school and K-8 coming up. If you’re at all interested, you can schedule a tour!