Inside the Spectrum Program: What They Don't Want You to Know To the parents of New Roads School, I'm writing this because no one else will. Not the smiling admissions staff. Not the polished emails. Not the teachers who know something's wrong but look the other way. This isn't easy to say--but it needs to be said. Because what's happening in the Spectrum program is not care. It's not support. It's quiet, systematic harm dressed up as help. And it broke me in ways I'm still trying to undo. In middle school, I was diagnosed with autism. When I got into New Roads, I was placed in Spectrum. My family was told it was a safe space--a nurturing environment tailored for students like me. I believed them. I wanted to believe them. But not long after I started, I was re-evaluated. Turns out, I wasn't autistic after all. But that didn't matter. By then, I was already locked in--trapped under Elisa Schultz's watch. Once you're in, Spectrum doesn't let go. You don't "exit" the program--you disappear into it. It wraps itself around your life and convinces you that you need it, even when all it's doing is making you smaller. At first, I tried to play along. I was named grade-level ambassador. I met with new families. I made speeches. I wanted to believe I was helping build something good. But eventually, I did what Elisa can't stand--I told the truth. I started asking questions. I stood up for students who felt powerless. I spoke too loudly, too clearly. So they got rid of me. I was replaced quietly, like I'd become an inconvenience. But the worst moment came later--when a classmate I cared about came to me in tears. Elisa had called her a disgusting, sexist name--something that would get anyone else fired. We made the decision to speak out. And the moment we started talking, five staff members closed in on us. Not figuratively. They surrounded us. Physically. Like security guards. They told her it never happened. Over and over, until her hands were shaking and she started questioning her own memory. I stood there watching someone I admired unravel in real time. And I knew: this wasn't a "program." This was something darker. During COVID, I had a bad allergy flare-up. I stepped out of class to blow my nose in the hallway because I didn't want to disturb anyone. The Tesla classroom was right next to the bathroom. I wasn't sneaking off. I wasn't doing anything wrong. Elisa exploded. She screamed at me in front of everyone. Berated me for not blowing my nose in front of the class. As if I had broken some sacred, unspoken rule. I was embarrassed. I was sick. I was trying to handle my body and my space with some dignity--and she crushed that in one moment. No kindness. No understanding. Just public shame. What kind of "support program" does that? Spectrum charges over $13,000 a year on top of tuition. That money doesn't go toward student wellbeing. It goes toward building a system that punishes independence and feeds on fear. They don't care if you were misdiagnosed. They don't care if it's hurting you. They care about keeping your family's money. And your silence. There are others like me. I've spoken to six students--at least--who had stories like mine. Some gave me permission to speak. Most are too scared. That should tell you everything. Parents, you're being sold a lie. And it's packaged beautifully--with buzzwords, learning plans, and emotional jargon. But behind the curtain is something toxic. Something I wouldn't wish on anyone. Ask the questions they don't want you to ask. And when they try to talk around it, listen to what they're avoiding. This program nearly broke me. I'm writing this because I refuse to let it keep breaking people in silence. - A former Spectrum student who refuses to stay quiet read more

Our two high schoolers are thriving at New Roads. The teachers are excellent and caring, the class sizes are small, and most importantly, they are learning not only academics but how to work toward a better world. read more

New Roads is a school where all types of children are embraced for who they are. We have experienced the faculty and administration to be open to working with our whole family to see that our daughters needs are being fulfilled . She has been academically challenged as well as exposed to an extensive variety of electives. This has presented a gateway to boundless possibilities. Through inspiring, passionate teachers we are watching our daughter find her voice. read more

An amazing school with a dedicated staff and community. Every aspect is wonderful and personalized to the student

Disclosure: I'm a hardcore inner city educator and product of the public school system. Amazingly innovative approach at education that does away with assessments and instead puts the responsibility of content acquisition examination into periodic portfolios where students present and communicate what they've learned. Small classrooms typically mean smaller student to teacher ratios and the science and music departments left me inspired. I get the whole giving back community service component modeled by the non profits on campus just above the auditorium but see a void when it comes to on campus athletics taking place. Same founder as the premier New Roads school in Santa Monica means consistent creative team building energy in place and I like that. Teachers seemed happy here, custodial stay were courteous, and security communicated clearly. Didn't get the snobby vibe, and didn't find evidence that spoiled west side kids run the show. Really cool concept is that all the classrooms are not labeled by numbers rather named after major social movers and shakers- Dees, Zapata, Malcolm X, Hines, Allendale, Ghandi, extc In conclusion, by the vision/mission, campus tour, talking with educators, & researching the non profits on site, this is definitely the school I'd send my kids to. read more

This campus was built with the vision to teach tomorrow's leaders the place & purpose of charity and kindness. They really "Get It", and it is apparent from the student's artwork displayed on its walls to even on the directory outside the elevator. The school provides office space for a handful of vetted youth-focused non-profits. I have long been a supporter of other great schools (my own & those where my kids attend), but I am wowed, by how this school puts much of what I believe into practice so students can also learn by example. read more

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Great school! My child has excelled academically and socially now for the 3 years at New Roads. They offer a diverse student body and teaching/admin staff. Homework load is moderate. Teaching staff is accessible and most of the teachers appear to be there for their love of the students and teaching. College counseling is personalized, class sizes are very small (8-15 students/class). Campus is clean and safe. Staff is helpful and friendly. Inclusivity and social justice focused. We are very happy at New Roads. read more

I really didn't see the greatness in this school when my son was there. The director didn't care about the kids and a lot of the teachers were quite unpleasant. Anna Cummins, though, was wonderful and introduced my son to gardening, which he still loves. The BEST thing was that my son made AMAZING friends here that he stays in touch with. So, it that way it was definitely worth it. read more

I can't comment on the school, but we have enjoyed a few concerts there at the Moss Theater, the new home for the Jazz Bakery. I love this theater. It's not too large, and the visibility from the seats enables you to easily see the stage. I always bring binoculars, so I can really see the performers sweat and their range of emotion. Last night, we had the privilege of watching Russell Malone and his quartet perform there. I brought my binoculars although we were sitting in the second row. From there, you could see the nuances of every song. The acoustics are good in this place, and the seats are very comfortable. My only criticism, is that I wish they had more places to sit while you are waiting to go into the theater. Because it is open seating, many people get there well ahead of the start time. A few more benches would be appreciated for those of us who don't like standing too long. Ruth Price does a wonderful job executing these events. She has the vibrancy and energy of a 20-year-old. It is admirable! read more

I would not recommend this school to anyone who wants a school that looks out for all the kids equally. They give a lot of lip service to values of diversity and inclusion but certainly leave a lot to be desired. If you can afford the high price tag you would be much better served at a school committed to communication and actual counselors that know their students. We tried repeatedly to get attention for our daughter and she advocated for herself but was not able to navigate the program. The school prides itself on helping low income families with scholarships but that means parents who do pay are constantly bombarded for money and parents on scholarship are rarely included in school functions. There is little effort on the part of teachers to get to know students who aren't extroverted and popular or who have been long time families. We had a terrible experience with their college counselor. read more

Kids get lots of individual attention and can learn at the pace that is right for them. The arts are very integrated with the curriculum. Competition and stress are at low levels, and a required class called "Connections" teaches kids to deal respectfully with one another and be sympathetic to others' needs. Hooray for New Roads! read more

While I will cherish our memories of kindergarten and it's incredible teacher at the time, the science teacher in elementary, also gone and a few other mainstays that got into our hearts forever...regrettably I wish we left a long time ago. This is not a review I take lightly writing. Our children needed a great amount of supplementary tutoring and help to catch up in a regular school after doing elementary school and worse yet, one year in the middle school for my oldest... at new roads. The children with challenges run the classrooms and staffs children are protected. There is no form of accountability or discipline. They have no endowment and so their books are a mess and they display desperate behavior. When they sent our last bill after being a full paying family of three kids for 8 years, they said if it wasn't paid in full by the following Friday my kids would not be allowed into the school and could not attend their year end ceremonies with their classmates etc. We should have said perfect and not returned but I am a better person than that. I fundraised and championed the schools mission statement of diversity and compassion. But when my check from a corporate office was late due to a bit of red tape that would be paying for a big chunk of the years tuiton, there was no compassion for me or my family after 8 years of generosity and dedication and love. Without an endowment the school is forced to resort to such practices and take dignity away from families not unlike practices that happen in Jamaica and Africa where poverty is rampant. They have been abusive to their founder, a blessed kind man and humiliated him as well as stopped paying his foundation ....which owns the property I believe... I don't know the details but what I heard sounds so horrific.... all three of my children left that school needing a lot of attention to get back on track academically and even socially- the middle school was such a joke with the kids running the classroom with no accountability from the administration. On my sons last day of school he was covered in sharply oen from head to toe on his skin and the dean just said oh wow.. would you look at that. His student run assessment was a total joke. The school is for very self guiding kids or kids with challenges. Period. And everyone otherwise healthy in the middle of those two ends runs the risk of getting very very lost. All three kids had something go off the rails in their education. It's sort of like a Montessori gone wrong and I had so much faith...other friends said to me "you're brave for going there!" Other people known in the community were leaving the school as we were entering and I was told every excuse for the reasons they left but now we are gone and I wish I had just listened to those people back then. Tolerance is wonderful. But zero discipline, zero accountability, zero structure and zero plan... that's not school. It was barely day care. I paid 100 k plus per year for all three kids... I would have been better off having them homeschooled for sure. A lot of what went wrong I will never be able to erase. But kids are resilient and slowly but surely they're becoming great little students. They're learning how to perform on tests and basically become competitive once this world... the school loved to say testing doesn't matter but even an ex teaching staff member is now running a tutoring service for testing..charging two hundred an hour doing so- so I guess she does believe in testing after all... so it's a whole lot of koolaid they sell. TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT... everyone's experience is different of course. Good luck if you decide it's the right fit for your child. read more

This is the greatest place. The teachers are excellent, the children are motivated to learn and the environment is not pressurized at all. The elementary school head Jaqueline keeps up in the latest research which means they mandate coding for all students but at the same time multiple recesses. Parents who are most interested in raising a happy child and focused on giving them the tools for a fulfilling intellectual emotional and artistic life, should send their kids here. Some days I wish I could jump out of my life and Jump into the elementary school, with its hands on science lab work shop and aerial arts program, childhood seems more fun at this magical place. read more

I attended New Roads School all thru Middle & High School. Amazing private school with loving teaching staff with a pure enrichment studies towards college prep courses. Beautiful campus read more

This review is for the Moss Theater. The Ladyfriend and I saw Eliane Elias and her band perform here. The theater is an excellent venue. The seating is excellent and there isn't a bad seat in the place. For a newer (?) venue it is very intimate, although a bit sterile. The acoustics are great so the sound doesn't bounce off the walls or ring in your ears. No posts, poles, etc to block view. Just a nice view of the stage and performers. It also makes it easier for the crowd and performers to interact. Also, this place is clean as a whistle, almost sterile. Not that I am complaining or anything. The parking is surprisingly easy, as in Santa Monica it is almost better to take a cab or uber. Also, this venue is part of the Jazz Bakery's Moveable Feast where they have performances at several venues. They are well organized and well priced too. As for the Moss Theater, I will definitely be back. read more

7 years ago we chose New Roads over some other fine independent schools and we could not be happier. NRds is a very special place with seriously high quality teaching, a rigorous and unique curriculum and (rare in west side middle and high schools) a very kind, unspoiled vibe. The students are just nice here. Plenty of rich kids, plenty of not rich kids, plenty in between, and no one seems to care one way or the other. We have a high-performing child who has been inspired and challenged, but they take all variety of learning styles into consideration. The extracurriculars have been at least as instructive as the academics, and the school encourages students to stick their toes into many areas of interest instead of forcing them to narrow their focus too early. It is a relatively young school, so while sports are popular, sports facilities are lacking, but it is understood in the community that the school's unprecedented commitment to financial aid means new buildings come second. That said, we recently gained a state-of-the-art theater, well deserved by the extraordinary music and drama departments. Additionally, this is one of the few independent schools to have a robotics team, and we have recently discovered that the college counseling is superb. We are confident that New Roads is equiping students to be 21st century leaders. -Parents read more

Amazing school, they truly walk the talk with their mission statement of social justice, diversity & environmental stewardship. Awesome dedicated & engaging teachers, academics taugh in modern style, keeping the kids thirst for knowledge robust. I feel so blessed to have found this awesome school for my child after an extensive search, so happy to belong to this inclusive community! read more

Excellent school with engaging classes and extra-curricular activities such as robotics, game design, and music production. My daughter is a musician and we visited music programs at other schools before we decided on New Roads. New Roads has one of the most dynamic and talented student body and surpasses the talent at even the best "art" schools. My 10th grade daughter is also in academically challenging classes, on an accelerated math track (pre-calculus), and receives the necessary support to help her excel. Most importantly, I love the culture of the school. My daughter did not know anyone when she started as a freshman but has formed an amazing and positive group of friends. She is incredibly happy at New Roads! read more

this school is bad school，i want to help my little sister to apply high school without agent. we are international student，before we come to usa，i find the agent company to help us，we spend a lot money to pay them. after we went to los angeles，we want to transfer school，and i call the new roads school，and i tell them we want to apply the school by ourself，we dont want to spend more money to pay agent. And they tell me，just give me the agent company's name. they want us go throught agent company. Yes，we are international student，we pay more money to student in us. But i went to usa for eight year ago，i try to help my little sister to save our money，the school dont listen to me，they call me and ask our agent company. If we want to work with agent company，we will find them. But you can not force our to spend money that we dont want，it looks like if we dont apply throught agent company you will not accept us . I had apply university by myself，there are a lot of student apply school in us by themself. I want to tell you that you are not the only school in us，they are a lot of school in us，we pick up the school which we want to study with. i will tell all my chinese friend that not go to your school. more and more international student they come to study in us，they are the same，many student come to study in china. How you feel if school force student have to apply school with agent company. that is not fair. And i tell the school that my sister with five year visa，they looks are dont believe that，i dont understand if your school dont know everything about international student why your school accept international？ when international have visa，if they want to transfer school，they need to update I20，that is all the things they need to do. your school dont know everythings about international student. read more