Newton Community Education is a self-sustaining arm of Newton Public Schools dedicated to offering learning and enrichment opportunities for all. We inspire and nurture passions with high-quality classes and experiences at a reasonable cost. Our vision is to build a strong, inclusive community passionate about learning, enrichment, and connection. What Sets Us Apart? We are open to new and innovative ideas. Our course offerings are constantly expanding and updating to cater to people’s varying interests. We learn from, listen to, and work directly with our community to provide them with more of the quality programs we’ve been offering since 1870. We offer programming for the whole family, from beginners to experts, toddlers to grandparents, and everyone in between. We also emphasize equitable access and provide financial assistance to as many students as possible. Our instructors are passionate about their fields and have built trusting relationships with students through their years of teaching. We have access to high-quality equipment and spaces thanks to Newton Public Schools. This includes woodworking tools and space, a kitchen, a pool, pottery wheels, athletic spaces, and more! In addition to access to NPS schools, we also offer daytime classes at the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association, the Russian School of Math, the Cooper Center for Active Living, and the Scandinavian Center. We provide tangible skill-building opportunities and experience to make big life transitions easier. From prepping for college to getting ready to retire or making a career change, NCE has programs available to help you. Our History According to early records, the continuing education program in Newton began in 1870 with the offering of two courses in “Civic Education.” In 1991 the Newton Board of Alderman passed Ordinance No. T-187 establishing the Newton Community Education Program: Its purpose is to provide educational, cultural, avocational and social programs and activities. This program shall carry out the functions, which were previously carried out separately by the Community Schools program and the Newton Public School’s division of Continuing Education (Adult Ed). The intent of the program is to: provide individuals with opportunities for personal enrichment; provide meaningful opportunities for citizen involvement in the planning, determination and development of relevant community services and maximize access to school and municipal facilities for these activities. The Newton Community Education Program shall be under the control of the School Committee and overseen by a public commission.
