Our typical class size is 12-16. We also have support staff to allow for small group instruction and individual time with teachers. Small groups ensure all students have a chance to ask questions, gain clarity, and share their opinions and ideas.

Roots maintains these low student-to-teacher ratios by limiting enrollment each year. We would love to accept every student that applies, but maintaining this low ratio is important to us because we know it improves student experiences and outcomes.

Roots Community School ensures your student receives instruction at a level and pace that is appropriate for them.

No matter what grade your child is in, they’re placed in small instructional groups that support their academic level. These small groups are different for each academic subject to honor students’ strengths and weaknesses. Your student will be placed at the right level to facilitate growth without feeling overwhelmed.

Your student may be placed above their grade level in one group, and at or below their grade level for a different subject. This is something that Roots values because it allows students to excel in their strengths, and receive support where they need it.

Students also learn that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Students learn about strengths and weaknesses and respect and support each other through this model.

Your student is still involved in group projects and exposed to higher-level concepts with their primary class. This balance allows your student to gain the needed skills, but not be “held behind” for their overall school experience.

We know when students are passionate and motivated, they can achieve great things.

At Roots, we strive for excellence and use mistakes as learning opportunities. We believe in the growth mindset and teach our students that success comes through mistakes and failures. We have elevated behavior standards for our school community as we all strive to grow and be productive world citizens.

We have a behavior contract that’s signed by parents, students, teachers, support staff, and volunteers. We adhere to this contract and discuss our community standards as necessary.

We review our Vision and Core Standards with our students and families frequently so we can all remain aligned with the Roots Philosophy and create a positive, supportive community.

Roots Community School uses a multi-age classroom configuration. Each class has a two to three-grade span depending on the year and the needs of the students enrolled.

There are many benefits to multi-age classrooms:

● The classroom community is strong and family-like.

● Every child is challenged at just the right level.

● Older children develop leadership and mentoring skills as they lead younger students.

● Younger students observe higher-level problem-solving and interactions in a safe environment.

This model creates an atmosphere of nurturing rather than competition. Children are not pressured by one another to fit an arbitrary norm of a grade level. The teacher supports each individual child’s complex needs rather than trying to lead a group of students to complete an age-based milestone.

Our educational structure is centered around project-based learning.

Project-based learning refers to students designing, planning, and carrying out an extended project that weaves together different subject areas.

This project or product is then publicly exhibited – meaning it’s presented to others in its final form. This could be a product demonstration, community service project, publication, or presentation.

Students have increased ownership and pride in their work when their learning is purpose-driven with an end product in mind.

Displaying quality work and effort is a tremendously powerful motivator. It’s also more aligned with real-world situations, where students will combine knowledge from various subject areas to create new solutions to problems.