Roots and Branches

1807 Harlem Avenue

School District

Baltimore City Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

charter

School Map for Baltimore City Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 08, 2017

Roots and Branches has the most responsive teachers I've ever met, and I have dealt with several public Baltimore City schools with my older sons. Your webpage may show poor test scores, but you do not reflect the positive behavior changes or how well students progress from Kindergarten until 5th grade. This school is a diamond in the rough, and should not be written off.
Submitted by teacher on April 16, 2017

Caring and professional staff who go the extra mile for students. Responsive Classroom approach teaches children that it's okay to make mistakes and allows them reflect and fix the mistakes in the future. Truly compassionate program.
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2016

Don't do it! Based on the information presented online and speaking with the administration, I decided to enroll my child here. When we tested in to school we were 2 years above grade level. After being here 2 years we left 2 years below grade level. Now I bought into the hype that the school is new and had few resources however the problems are so much more than that. This school lacks effective leadership. No one takes responsibility for anything. Everyone passes the buck to the next person and issues are usually left unresolved. Several parents, students and even a couple teachers have accused faculty of striking children. The environment is chaotic and toxic. I have been there on separate occasions and wondered if the kids were on something. And I am not saying that to be funny or even to be mean. I mean it's normal to have a couple of bad apples and its normal to see hyper kids but the majority seem like they have lost their minds. They are unruly but the adults don't even acknowledge or correct the bad/ negative behavior. They ignore it altogether. I have been there on a few occasions and had to break up fights or ask children to go to class. I mean there are children who will literally sit down in the hallway floor and hold conversations during class instruction time! I have witnessed foot races on the main hall (right next to the office) while leaving a meeting about my kid racing in the hall! But no one said anything. Teachers just looked into the hall at the children and closed the classroom door. Office personnel looked out, shook their heads and went back to work. Much of the faculty seems to not have real experience dealing with young children. And while I can understand that when it comes to the new teachers, even the seasoned educators seem like they have no clue what they are doing! I thought making suggestions would be helpful but I now feel that just made us targets. We would go to school and get raised eyebrows and dirty looks as if we'd stolen something. I no longer believe the intention is to help the children here. Even if there are good intentions and good ideology, there is very poor implementation. At the moment, this school is just a horrible social experiment. Don't make to your child a guinea pig.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2016

From the way the kids are disciplined to how rude the principle looks at you when she sees you at the school. I am disgusted with the entire school. I once had to stop a 1st grader from shoving her classmate into a locker. This was early in the morning so The hallway was full of teachers, yet I had to intervene. Baltimore city schools need more teachers that care.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2016

When my husband and I looked for a school for our 3 children, we spent a great deal of time evaluating our options. We couldn't afford a private school, and were underwhelmed by our local zoned school. Thankfully Roots & Branches had just opened as our oldest went into kindergarten. Even though Roots & Branches was across town from us, we drove 40 minutes each way to take our children.And we are glad we did! Our 3 children thrived there. The approach they use is similar to what one would find in an elite private school. Learning is project based. Students get narrative report cards as opposed to traditional grades. Their approach is innovative and gave my children a great start.We recently moved out of the city to what many consider to be an affluent and well-heeled area of Maryland. We are in a new county where the schools are blue ribbon. Many people told us that our new school was great. They were right-the new school is great, but given the choice, we would have stayed at Roots & Branches. While our children are doing amazing at our new school and have quickly moved to the "advanced" classes, we miss the individualized learning that took place at Roots & Branches.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2016

The Director, Principal, teachers, and other faculty personnel go exceedingly above and beyond, to meet the educational needs of the students. I am very thankful to have chosen Roots and Branches for my daughter! THANK YOU ROOTS AND BRANCHES!
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2015

This school is in the development stages and have done a good job with the students. They offer before and after care with programs like karate, dance and sign language. You must work with your student at home with academics to make sure they stay above grade level. Otherwise good school.