Last week, The New Century School welcomed new and returning families to the 2026–2027 school year. TNCS’s 16th Back-to-School night event blended reflection, connection, and forward-thinking vision. The sense of community and anticipation for the year ahead was immediately palpable—and no wonder! With the theme of “Let’s have a great year,” who wouldn’t get excited?
For those who were unable to attend and for those who want a refresh, this blog is for you!
Celebrating Milestones
Head of School Ann Marie Simonetti greeted families with warmth and enthusiasm, setting the tone for an evening that honored both past achievements and future possibilities. She also used the occasion to introduce new teachers and staff and welcome back returning friends, some in brand-new roles.
While last year TNCS celebrated its 15th year, this school year also sees a huge milestone achieved–and you’re reading it! This BTS blog is Immersed’s 500th post! Since October 2012, Immersed has documented TNCS coming into itself as well as the growth and development of its thousands of students. We’ve come a very long way together, TNCS community!
Core Values and Portrait of a Graduate
Throughout the evening, parents were reminded of what TNCS is all about with references to what a student graduating TNCS will have cultivated during their time here. The mission “to challenge students to realize their richest individual potential through progressive, multilingual education and meaningful participation in the world community” was reflected throughout the various presentations and classroom discussions.
This mission also manifests in the school’s four core values—Respect, Compassion, Service, and Courage—displayed in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese, as part of the commitment to multilingual education.
The “Portrait of a Graduate” brought it all home. Even parents of TNCS’s preprimary cohort got teary-eyed imagining the wonderful humans their children are destined to become.
Always a Team Effort
The evening showcased the school’s diverse staff, from the extensive preschool team of educators, the K–8 teaching staff, and the administrative and facilities personnel who keep the school running smoothly. For Ms. Simonetti, now in her third year as Head of School, the strong team dynamic has been essential to a smooth start. “We have a great team,” she reflected, “from our newest to our most seasoned members we are able to come together.”
One particularly noteworthy change for this school year is the return of former K/1st teacher Charlotte Longchamps, this time as Preschool Coordinator. We’ll dive more into this topic in a future post!
How to Stay Connected: Communication Channels
With the success of last year’s rollout, TNCS will continue using Transparent Classroom to communicate student progress to families. The platform integrates three key components: a calendar system for both community-wide and class-specific events, communication tools for school news and class updates, and student records including attendance and progress reports. The team had researched multiple options before selecting Transparent Classroom, influenced in part by the fact that it was designed by Montessori educators and is very much aligned with TNCS’s approach.
The TNCS Family Hub located on the website is also a very helpful tool.
Auxiliary TNCS Programs
BTS Night also covered those important school moments that happen outside the academic day, like After Care and Family Volunteering.
Let’s Have a Great Year!
As families moved between classroom visits and engaged with teachers, the evening reinforced TNCS’s commitment to community and belonging, due largely to the dedication of TNCS teachers and staff. Let’s do it, TNCS community—let’s have a great year!
