March 6, 2026

Dear Students and Families,

On Friday, April 10th, we will administer the California Achievement Test (CAT) to students in grades 7-12 who need to meet North Carolina (NC) annual assessment requirements, specifically independent school students receiving NCSEAA funding. If you are receiving this communication, your student has been identified as needing to participate in this assessment. If you feel you have received this email in error, please email me at ldean@ngfs.org.

The CAT is a standardized, untimed assessment that evaluates core academic skills in Reading (vocabulary and comprehension), Mathematics (computation and application concepts), and Language (mechanics, expression, and spelling). It measures student performance against national benchmarks and reports scores in grade-equivalent, percentile, and ranking formats.

On this day, multiple tests will be taking place across campus, including the SAT for juniors and the PSAT 10 for sophomores. As a result, no academic classes will be scheduled on BPC. Only students who are taking a test should come to campus. Once students finish their test, they can sign out of their testing room and leave campus for the day.

Preparation for the Test: To ensure a smooth testing experience, please remind your student to charge their Chromebook the night before, as the test will be administered digitally.

On Testing Day: Students should arrive at school by 8:30 a.m. and check in at the Upper School Commons. The doors will open at 8:00 a.m. It is essential that they come prepared with a fully charged Chromebook, its charger, a water bottle, and a light snack. Smartwatches are not permitted during the test; however, students are welcome to bring noise-canceling headphones if they find them helpful for concentration. We plan to start testing promptly at 9:00 a.m. Dual-enrolled students in college courses who require a later start time should complete the form linked here by Friday, March 20th.

Pick-Up Arrangements: The CAT is an untimed assessment, allowing students to take their time. Most students typically complete the test within 2.5 hours, aiming to finish by 11:30 AM. However, since each student works at their own pace, these end times are estimates and may vary. Students may contact you once they have completed the test, and a staff member will remain on campus until all students are picked up.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

In Peace and Cooperation,  

Lauren Dean, Testing Coordinator

ldean@ngfs.org

Dear Students and Families,

I am writing to gauge interest in an in-person SAT/ACT test preparation class on Saturday, September 19, at NGFS from 8:30am-4:00pm.  This class would be offered by Next Level Prep and would include students from NGFS as well as students from Westchester Country Day School.  The cost would be $149 and would include a pizza lunch, as well as a reference/practice book and outline of test-taking strategies.  In order to move forward with offering the class, I need a minimum number of families to indicate interest, so please please fill out this form by March 20 indicating your interest.

For interested rising seniors, I would recommend registering for the October SAT or ACT so that the strategies learned in this class are fresh in your mind when you retake either test.

For interested rising juniors, this class would fall just before you all take the PSAT/NMSQT in October and in advance of the SAT and ACT, which you will take in the Spring.

For interested rising sophomores, this class falls well before the Spring administration of the PSAT 10.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Best,

Allie

Dear Juniors and Families,

On Friday, April 10th, we will administer the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) to our eleventh-grade students at the BPC campus. If you receive this email, your child is soon to be registered to take the SAT, which is being offered digitally again this year. This test is optional. If you would like to exempt your child from taking the SAT, please see the link below.

This test is intended to measure student readiness for college and open up access to scholarships. The SAT is one of four tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments—all of which test students on the knowledge and skills they need for college. The digital SAT is composed of two sections: 1) Reading and Writing and 2) Math. Students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and 70 minutes to complete the Math section for a total of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

On April 10th, students should arrive in the Commons by 8:30 AM, where we will check attendance and share room assignments. We hope to have students in place to begin testing no later than 9:00 a.m. Eleventh graders will primarily take tests in the upper school classrooms. Upper School staff will proctor the test and also serve as floaters, hallway monitors, and other roles.

We will begin with the pre-administration, complete basic contact information, and then proceed with the test. Students who do not receive extended time should finish around 12: 30 p.m. Students who receive extended time should expect to finish around 1:30 p.m. Please remember that these test end times are estimates.

All students participating in the test can go home when the test concludes. There are no academic classes scheduled on BPC for this day.

The SAT costs $60.00. Students may either bring a check payable to NGFS on the day of the test or have the fee charged to their FACTS account. While this test is optional, all juniors are currently in the registration process unless I am notified that they will not be taking the test. Please note that the deadline to opt-out is Friday, March 20th, at 3:00 PM. To opt out of the Spring SAT, click the link here.

SAT Resources

• Log into your College Board account and access your individually tailored skill recommendations or practice tests. If you need help setting up your account, please contact Lauren or Lindsey.
• Full-Length Practice SAT Tests

Test results are usually available 4-6 weeks after testing and can be found in each student's College Board account.

Please contact Lauren at ldean@ngfs.org with any questions about testing. Contact Lindsey at lgreear@ngfs.org if you have any questions about testing accommodations.

In Peace and Cooperation,

Lauren 

Dear 10th Graders and Families,

On Friday, April 10th, we will administer the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT 10) at the BPC campus for our tenth-grade students. If you are receiving this email, your child will soon be registered to take the PSAT 10, which will be offered digitally again this year. If you would like to exempt your child from taking the PSAT 10, please see the link below.

The PSAT 10 helps sophomores measure their readiness for college, access potential scholarships, and practice for the SAT. It is one of four tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments, designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills necessary for college success. The PSAT 10 takes approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete and is divided into two sections: (1) Reading and Writing, and (2) Math. Most questions are multiple-choice, while some math problems require students to write in their answers.

The PSAT 10 is optional for 10th graders, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration. However, students receiving NCSEAA scholarships and grants are required to test annually. The PSAT 10 is a nationally recognized standardized test that fulfills this requirement. If your student needs to take the PSAT 10 for NCSEAA documentation but has a scheduling conflict, please contact Lauren at ldean@ngfs.org for assistance.

On April 10th, students should arrive in the Commons by 8:30 AM for attendance and room assignments. We aim to have students ready to begin testing by 9:00 AM. Due to administrative tasks and breaks, students can expect to complete the test in just under 3 hours, finishing around 11:45 AM. Those requiring extended time may finish closer to 1:00 PM. Please note that these times are estimates and may change. Once finished, students may leave school, as there will be no academic classes on BPC for Spring Testing.

The deadline to opt out is Friday, March 20, 2026. To opt out, please click the link here.

PSAT Resources:

• PSAT 10 Student Guide
• Practice Tests

If you have any questions or concerns about testing, please contact Lauren at ldean@ngfs.org.  If you have questions about your student’s testing accommodations, please contact Lindsey at lgreear@ngfs.org.

Lauren Ridge Dean, M.Ed

Upper School Learning Specialist & Testing Coordinator

New Garden Friends School

Dear Students and Families,

Good morning, this is an early notice that the ACT + Science (without the writing portion) is scheduled for Friday, March 20th. The test will be administered digitally during the regular school day. The ACT has been selected by NGFS to fulfill the grade 11 testing requirements mandated by the North Carolina Department of Administration. We have already registered all juniors and are in the process of submitting any necessary requests for testing accommodations.

DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS: If you are a student or have a student participating in the Dual Enrollment program, we advise them to email their professors now, if their schedule will be impacted, to let them know they will be missing class due to the ACT, a test mandated by the state of NC, and to make arrangements for missed work. If you or your student have any concerns regarding Dual Enrollment conflicts, please let me know.

Here’s what a typical ACT test day will look like on our campus:

Students should arrive at the Annex by 8:30 AM for attendance verification and room assignments.

We aim to have all students settled and ready to begin testing by 9:00 AM.

Due to administrative tasks and breaks, most students can expect to complete the test in approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, finishing around 12:30 PM.

Students who require extended time may finish closer to 2:00 PM.

Once students finish testing, they will be excused from classes for the remainder of the school day.

We will share more information in February and March as we approach the March 20th testing date. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Additionally, you can check out this free ACT resource with practice questions.

In Cooperation,

Lauren Ridge Dean, M.Ed

Upper School Learning Specialist & Testing Coordinator

Dear Juniors and Families,

Believe it or not, it is time to start planning for your lives after New Garden. In that spirit, I’d like to invite students and families to set up a time to meet with me over the next few weeks to explore options. Please sign up here for a time. If none of the listed times work, please email me with your availability.  When you come to this meeting, it would be helpful if parents/guardians could fill out and bring with them the attached “Life After New Garden Parent/Guardian Information Sheet” and students fill out and bring the attached form for students.

Also, please mark your calendars for Thursday, March 26 from 6-8pm for our “Demystifying the College Admissions Process Workshop.”  This workshop is intended for both students and families. In this session, Steve Mencarini, the Chief Enrollment Officer at Guilford College, and I will lead y’all through an interactive workshop about the components of a college application. Y’all will even get to walk in the shoes of an admissions counselor and weigh different applicants. We will also introduce everyone to The Common Application and SCOIR, two resources students will use as they apply to college. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP here so I can ensure I order enough food.

In addition, the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools is offering families the opportunity to attend a free webinar on the “Little Known Secrets of Paying for College” at 7pm on Feb. 18.  You can read more about the webinar and register here.  

Below is a list of important dates for our juniors. More information will be coming about the SAT and ACT from our testing coordinator, Lauren Dean.

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7:00pm-9:00pm: Little Known Secrets of Paying for College Webinar

Friday, Mar. 20th: ACT at NGFS (all juniors are already registered)

Thursday, Mar. 26, 6:00pm-8:00pm: “Demystifying the College Admissions Process Workshop”

Friday, April 10: SAT at NGFS (all juniors are already registered)

Finally, I know that planning for life after high school can feel overwhelming, but it is also an exciting time.  And I am here to support you along the way.  For now, I’ll leave you with the words of poet Mary Oliver,

Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Best,

Allie

Dear Upper School Families,

Join us for our upcoming conference day on Friday, December 12. Please note that there will be no school for students on this day. Participation in these conferences is optional, but I hope you will take this opportunity to check in with any of your child's content teachers to address concerns or discuss specific educational experiences. If you would like to arrange a conference with the team, please contact your child’s advisor via email, who will coordinate a time for everyone.

We value the partnership between teachers, parents, and guardians; these conferences offer another opportunity for communication and collaboration between home and school. Your active involvement makes a significant contribution to our students' overall success and growth.

Use the links below to sign up for a conference by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10. After this deadline, the sign-up links will be closed; however, you may still email a teacher directly to arrange a conference time or cancel a previously scheduled conference.

Maura Way (English 9/12)

Sierra Wedde (Science)

Laura Mae Allen (History)

Lindsey Greear (Learning Specialist)

Carter Lawe (Science/Math)

Sam Brannon (Math)

Janet Villas (Science), Email Directly: jvillas@ngfs.org

Michaeline Parrish (Acting I), Email Directly: mparrish@ngfs.org

Chris Shipman (English 10/11)

Ben  Lancaster (History), Email Directly: blancaster@ngfs.org

Jacob Hauk (Spanish)

Lauren Dean (Learning Specialist)

Amy Hanson (Math), Email Directly: ahanson@ngfs.org

Jeannine Borzello (Art)

Marc Alley (Music/English 10/11)

Alexis Capel (PE), Email Directly: acapel@ngfs.org

Additionally, remember that our doors are always open for appointments to address any questions or concerns or provide guidance for your student.

Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration in nurturing a positive and enriching educational experience for our students.

In partnership,

Tanisha Jones

Head of Middle & Upper School

November 11, 2025

It's time for Spring 2026 dual enrollment course requests! The colleges are enrolling now, so please don’t wait because some classes fill up quickly.

How to Request class(es)

1. Meet with College Counselor (Allie) or Registrar (Lisa) to discuss course options and ensure the courses align with your academic goals.
2. Submit this Form: Complete the attached dual enrollment application and return it to Lisa.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

We look forward to helping you achieve your academic goals and to seeing you take the next step in your educational journey!

Sincerely,

Lisa

Click HERE for the email that was sent to students in 10th, 11th, and 12th and their families.

Good morning, students!

Want to help with our upcoming blood drive and earn some service hours? Just fill out this quick form to sign up!  The blood drive is on October 29 in the upper school commons.

Thanks!

Lisa

Click HERE to read the email.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Upper School virtual Parent Night yesterday evening. If you were not able to attend or you would like to review the presentation, you can access it here: Upper School Parent Night presentation. It is also located on the Upper School Class News page.

Dear Juniors and Seniors (and Parents/Guardians),

Believe it or not, your life after New Garden is just around the corner. For some of you, it is coming up rather quickly, so I wanted to let y’all know about some upcoming opportunities to help you imagine your new life: a college fair, upcoming college visits to NGFS, and a couple of events about paying for college. Please remember that many colleges track “demonstrated interest” as they make admissions decisions, and visiting booths at college fairs and/or attending college representative sessions at our school are a way to demonstrate interest.

College Fair

On Monday, Sept. 29 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Greensboro Complex Special Events Center, there is a free college fair with representatives from over 80 colleges/universities. You can register to attend by clicking here.

Paying for College Events

On Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7:00pm in collaboration with NCAIS, Mike Russell of The College Funding Coach® will present a free webinar on The Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College. This virtual event is for any family wanting to learn how to pay for college.  You can register for the webinar here.

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 6-7pm, I am hosting a "Paying for College Night" in the US Commons, where Heather Hollandsworth, the Director of Financial Aid at Guilford College, will answer your questions about the FAFSA, financial aid, scholarships, and loans.  

Upcoming College Visits to NGFS (during Consultation)

Friday, Sept 19 - Queens University

Tuesday, Sept 23 - Bennington College

Thursday, Sept 25 - University of Pittsburgh

Tuesday, Sept 30 - Johnson & Wales University

Friday, Oct 3 - UNC-Greensboro

Monday, Oct 6 - Warren Wilson College

Tuesday, Oct 21 - College of the Holy Cross and Sarah Lawrence College

Thursday, Oct 23 - Wake Forest University

Friday, Oct 24 - Salem College

Tuesday, Oct 28 - American University of Paris

If you have questions about any of the above events, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  For now, I’ll leave you with the words of Lin-Manuel Miranda,

You are perfectly cast in your life. I can’t imagine anyone but you in the role. Go play.

Best,

Allie

Hello middle and upper school families!

As NGFS continues to provide students with a range of opportunities to excel in the evolving digital age, we are thrilled to offer a unique after-school robotics program to students in grades 7 through 12. Led by Julia Wagner, our Robotics Teacher and the Director of Education and Programs at FIRST North Carolina, this program will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for our students to delve into STEM, learning engineering and problem-solving skills while deepening their appreciation for the field.

If your student is interested in gaining hands-on experience in designing and building robots, experiencing real-world engineering, and possibly competing, we invite you to join us for an interest meeting. This meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, at 6 p.m. in the Upper School Commons on the Bob Page Campus, will provide all the details about the program, led by Julia Wagner.

Click here to complete the form as we gauge parent/guardian interest for the meeting. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Best,

Tanisha Jones

Head of Middle and Upper School

Click here for the Upper School welcome letter.