Message from the Principal

Dr. Robert Beebe

Principal

Welcome to New Hope School!

Founded in 1996 with six first graders, we have grown significantly over the years, adding new grades and increasing the size of our student body.

Located in Clifton, NJ, New Hope School serves children from kindergarten through eighth grade. The main focus of our program is academic excellence, character education, and partnership of the home, school and community.

Teddy Roosevelt once commented, “To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” These words point to the purpose of New Hope School. The philosophy of our school rests on the view that academic excellence is achieved in the context of a moral community. Only on the foundation of universal core values can genuine learning occur.

This view is supported by the results. Our students have consistently scored well above the national and state averages on the standardized tests they take each spring.

The character education component of New Hope School promotes the themes “Respect, Responsibility and Service.” We strive to make these core values the foundation of the school’s culture. Under these three major themes are many other virtues, such as honesty, compassion, fairness, courage and friendship, which are covered in a variety of ways during the school year.

Through sincere effort, rather than innate ability, do students develop their knowledge and ability to learn. The expectation of the school is that each student will engage in the work to the best of his/her ability in preparation for the next grade level.

New Hope School is a non-denominational religious school, embracing those spiritual ideals that enable students to develop clarity about what is noble, good and worth striving for in life. The good and noble life is one lived for the benefit of others. This embraces three life goals:

1. developing maturity of character;

2. building loving relationships with others; and

3. making a positive contribution to our society.

These are also the three main goals of education. An ideal graduate of New Hope School is one who is in the process of cultivating a loving heart, training in moral precepts and mastering knowledge and skills for a productive life.

If you are considering a new school for your child, consider New Hope. I will be happy to meet with you and show you around our wonderful school.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Beebe
Principal, New Hope School

Our History

Since 1996, we have been building a school program dedicated to academic excellence in a moral setting.
New Hope School was founded by two mothers, Jeanne Carroll and Ginny Christofferson. With six first graders, their goal was to establish a challenging academic as well as moral educational environment for their children.

Working at first out of the home of Mrs. Carroll and adding one grade level each year, the school gradually expanded and, in 2002, relocated to rent space at the Athenia Reformed Church on Clifton Avenue in Clifton, New Jersey. This year we have moved the school and are currently operating out of the Boys and Girls Club, also in Clifton. Our enrollment currently comprises students from 25 countries embracing various Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Oriental religious traditions.

From the beginning, New Hope School has been offering a curriculum based upon universal values that have been at the basis of all the world’s great religious and cultural traditions. Specifically, we seek to promote family values together with a vigorous academic program to develop our student’s hearts and intellects in preparation for an adult life of living for the sake of others.

Our Philosophy

Education involves more than simply addressing the intellect. It concerns the upbringing of the whole person: intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually. New Hope School accomplishes this through a challenging academic curriculum, a strong character education program, and a creative music and arts program.

All grades begin the day with inspirational readings from various scriptural, historical and cultural sources to help our students gain a deeper understanding of their own identity and value. The importance of moral and ethical principles are stressed as a foundation for healthy character development.

In addition to its academic program, the school places great emphasis on its character education program, which promotes the themes of “Respect, Responsibility and Service.”

Throughout the school year, in regular classes and special sessions, students are instructed in timeless virtues, such as honesty, fairness and compassion, and are encouraged to participate in service projects for the community.

We believe that:

⇒ Human beings are created in God’s image, who is our Heavenly Parent
⇒ Every person has value as a unique child of God no matter his/her religious belief or background
⇒ God endows each person with unique gifts to be cultivated and shared with others as brothers and sisters in spirit
⇒ The purpose of life is to mature one’s character through a relationship with God, build a loving marriage and family, and make a positive contribution towards creating a world of peace and harmony
⇒ The purpose of education is to support students in fulfilling the purpose of life
⇒ The basis of good character is a loving heart and strong conscience
⇒ The cultivation of heart and character is as important as the learning of knowledge and skills
⇒ Knowledge is both internal and external, not just memorizing and regurgitating information, but also learning to discern truth and understand its value in daily life
⇒ The family is the first school of love and learning
⇒ The school functions as an extension of the family
⇒ Teachers should demonstrate God’s parental heart toward students
⇒ The school prepares students to be future citizens by teaching civic responsibility and service to others
⇒ The school, family and community are partners in education

Our Graduates

⇒ Our graduates will demonstrate academic excellence, personal integrity, and unique personal gifts as a child of God
⇒ Our graduates will live a life of respect and consideration for others as kindred children of God and exhibit the necessary social skills for building healthy loving families
⇒ Our graduates will live a productive and meaningful life, living in service to others and desiring to make a positive contribution towards creating a global community of peace and harmony
⇒ Our graduates will understand and respect the world’s diverse cultures and religions