Newtown School was founded in 1798 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), on the estates of the former home of Sir Thomas Wyse.

In 1924 Newtown adopted a fully coeducational policy which it has maintained to the present day.

In Second and Third Year, all Junior Certificate candidates study Art, Craft & Design and Science, all have access to French and/or German and:or Spanish and all take a practical subject, either Materials Technology (woodwork) or Home Economics, Technical graphics, business studies or music.

In recent years students have participated in kayaking, outdoor pursuits, Young Social Innovators, surfing, lifesaving courses, drama, media, personal development, nutrition, enterprise, crafts and fashion design.

[1] The senior cycle begins at the end of Transition Year when students are asked to choose the subjects in which they would like to be examined at Leaving Certificate, in order of preference.