About Newton

History

The first Newton settlers in 1630 called it “the Newe towne,”and it was later renamed “Newton.” In 1638, Newton was established as part of Cambridge. Its first meetinghouse was built in 166, and was established as an independent town in 1688. Later, in  1873, when Newton was established as a city, this meeting house became town hall.

The Jackson Homestead, built in 1804 is one of Newton’s most famous historical sites. During the American Civil War, Newton and the Jackson Homestead were part of the Underground Railroad. Since it was dangerous and illegal to be a part of the Underground Railroad, there are no recorded documents, only oral tradition supporting this fact. It is now a museum of Newton’s history.

In 1834 the first passenger train came to Newton, and railroad depots were established in the 1840’s, making it one of the first commuter suburbs. Today, many people who live in Newton work in the city itself because it is quite large, and has many jobs to offer. Many of these are due to Boston College and Wellesley Hospital, which are both located in Newton. Because of the many jobs Newton offers, and the commerce that enters the city from all of the various stores and restaurants in the separate villages, Newton was not hit as hard with the economic depression as other towns.

Newton uses a strong-mayor council form of government. The mayor is Setti Warren, and he is supported by the Board of Aldermen.

Newton Attractions:

John B. Burns Library- located at Boston College, and named after John J. Burns a BC alumnus. It is most famous for housing rare books and special collections.

Hammond Pond Reservation: A beautiful, serene park in the Chestnut hill that is great for rock climbing, jogging, fishing, dog-walking, or spending time with family and friends.

The New Repertory Theatre : A professional theater that has performed three decades of premieres, contemporary and classic works in various different theaters. They perform 8 wonderful main stage shows a year.

McMullen Museum of Art: Located at Boston College, this art museum has been recognized nationally and internationally for its exhibits presenting political, historical, multidisciplinary artworks.

Heartbreak Hill- A hill that is part of the Boston Marathon.

The Jackson Homestead and Museum: Provides historical information on the earliest settlers in Newton including stops on the Underground Railroad as well as the abolition movement.

The Charles River Country Club: An award winning golf course built in 1921, with 18 holes and 6,596 yards of golf.

Ballroom In Boston: Teaches ballroom lessons for all ages from beginners to experts.

Crystal Lake: A beautiful lake located in Newton Centre.

Schools

Newton Public Schools:

The Newton school district belongs to the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, enrolling 424 students from Boston out of the 12,000 students enrolled in the Newton Public School system. The schools are top ranking, and place above both the state and the country in the SAT and the MCAS. The public school system also has a very high rate of students who go on to a higher education after high school (89.4%.)

In addition to the regular programs, the Newton Public School System has many others to offer. These programs include career and technical education programs, alternative high school programs, a range of honors and advanced placement courses, a disability awareness program for elementary schools, specialized art and music programs at all grade levels, and many others.

The mission of the Newton Public School system is to instill the core values of excellence, innovation, respect, and responsibility in its students.

?School Stats

NEWTON PUBLIC SCHOOL REPORT CARD

***Facts and figures are based off of The Newton Public School Report Card. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

List of Schools: