New Roots Charter School

116 North Cayuga Street

School District

New Roots Charter School
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

charter

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 student on June 05, 2022

Most teachers are super great. The administration is super manipulative but super supportive of students. I went for years and wouldn't recommend it to others...but I never left.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2020

New Roots is a unique offering in the broader Tompkins County region, with personalized education available to every student that chooses the school. Every student has a unique learning style and New Roots does a great job honoring each student's style, empowering their love for learning and their understanding of the real-world applications of the theories presented in the classroom. Students learn critical-thinking while discovering their passion and purpose in the world. I've seen my daughter grow tremendously during her 3+ years at the school. Thanks, New Roots!
Submitted by other on March 11, 2020

I would rate my experience with a zero. This school doesn't prepare students for college. They focus entirely on environmental issues instead of academic ones. Not to mention they put students in unnecessary classes which isn't required by the state, as well as creating toxic situations for the students.
Submitted by other on August 13, 2018

I would rate this school 1 out of 5 mostly due to weak administration and poor academic performance. Ithaca has very high achieving, safe and well run schools. I can't understand why parents and students pick a school like this.
Submitted by principal on November 03, 2017

Ten out of ten! The school is progressively educating students towards a just and sustainable future.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2017

This is the best school my kids have ever attended. My oldest two children graduated in the first graduating classes of New Roots. My younger two are currently attending. New Roots is the first school that my younger two have ever liked! The teachers are very personable, the atmosphere is that of a community. I highly recommend this school, particularly if your faith in the school system is wavering. The curriculum is definitely challenging, but the school gears more towards what the students are capable of and what they are learning, verses what they can simply regurgitate back.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2016

I have witnessed children receiving grades they did not not earn,been told by teachers that the goal for the students is to just push through the year. They allow students six extra months to complete assignments so that they'll pass a course. Work ethics are terrible. Several very bright students are confused constantly, have no trust in the administration, and do the equivalent of taking a course online while also being in the class because they say they don't get good instruction from their teachers
Submitted by other on March 04, 2016

Our son entered New Roots as a freshman this year after having been homeschooled through his elementary and middle school years. From the beginning, I was very impressed with the orientation program, and with how quickly the teachers and staff got to know and understand our academically gifted son. At our first parent teacher conference, his advisor asked him if he was being challenged enough, and helped him to create a plan that would provide him with more academic rigor. Half-way through the year, when our son expressed a strong desire to add an additional class to his schedule, the staff worked with him to make that happen. At the same time that the school is interested in providing an academically challenging, college-preparatory program, balance is also a priority. I appreciate that the whole school has a 45-minute lunch break (and a healthy, delicious lunch at that!); that kids aren't being pushed to attend “zero hour” classes as they are at other schools, and that if homework is given over breaks, it’s minimal. While there is an emphasis on individual needs, community is also important and nurtured. Our son has blossomed at New Roots. He is thriving academically and socially; he is learning, and he is happy. Sending him wasn't an easy decision, but it has absolutely been the right one.
Submitted by teacher on August 26, 2014

Comparing the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years, our approach to classroom management and discipline has reduced behavioral referrals by 41% and classroom disruptions by 24%. We credit this steady improvement to several practices. Our commitment to restorative justice allows us to manage classes with students from diverse backgrounds in a way that respects each student while holding them accountable for their actions. We have engaged in professional development together to support a systematic team approach in response to student issues. For questions call New Roots and ask for the Dean
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2014

I am a parent of a student at New Roots. My child has attended the school for a full 2 years. Prior to attending we homeschooled. I had high hopes for this school and it has greatly disappointed us. All of the reviews below do have some truth to them. Overall with what else is offered in the Ithaca community this should be the last choice for your student. The only time I've seen New Roots work is for the highly-motivated self learner. The school is full of disruptive kids where this is their last hope for an education. They have been kicked out of other schools because of one reason or another, or are so odd that they didn't fit in. My child spends more time in the classroom listening to chaos (teachers trying invain to make these brats mind) rather than benefit from instruction. The remaining teachers do care greatly. But at the end of the day this school is hughly mismanaged with a smoke screen in the way of true reality. Please look at your current situation before sending your kids here. If your child is not a self-motivated, quality student your kid with just figure out in a short time that skipping class and running around on the Commons is easy to pull off.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2014

As a parent of a student who has had the honor of studying at the school for 3 years, I have been very happy with the experience's that my daughter has had. She transferred here after being bullied at her school. New Roots school has allowed my daughter to blossom into a well rounded, mature, take charge young woman, who will contribute to society in ways that will surely astonish. I am happy with our decision to enroll her in New Roots.
Submitted by other on June 04, 2014

I cannot and will not recommend this institution to anyone looking for an effective education. it has violated its mission and vision repeatedly, lacks quality leadership and creates an unpredictable learning environment. There are no original full-time teachers and annual turn over is unprecedented (due to poor administrative decisions). New Roots claims to be a place of "democratic education", yet the board is not elected by the tax payers, they are hand-picked by the principal. There is no oversight for the leaders of this school and as such, they repeatedly make poor, unethical decisions. I have no doubts this school will fail to be renewed in three years. It was a miracle it was renewed at all.
Submitted by other on February 22, 2014

There are no remaining founding teachers left at this school, although all of the initial teachers had made commitments to stay for at least 5 years. This is not because they changed their minds, but because the school strayed from its initial principles of collaborative development and sustainability. Academically, students underperform, in no small part because the chaotic environment is ill-suited to learning. The Board has only approved their charter for 3 years, instead of the customary 5, due to serious doubts about this "school's" ability to adequately prepare students with Regents content. I'm sure some students benefit from the loosened standards, academically and behaviorally, however, since New Roots Uses public funds, the community is paying a steep price for the questionable benefit of a few.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2013

The school is a great disappointment. Although it was started to provide a creative alternative for students committed to sustainability, it does not live up to its mission. Ineffective leadership results in extremely high teacher turnover (nearly all full time teachers left at the end of the 2012-2013 school year) and a chaotic learning environment. It attracts a great many students with learning disabilities, but does not have the resources provide the support they need.
Submitted by teacher on October 11, 2013

New Roots Charter School, located in downtown Ithaca, is in its fifth year. Many people are surprised to learn that New Roots is a college preparatory, tuition free, regional high school. Our students choose to come here and are enthusiastic about being part of this living laboratory of education. The Senior Year Program supports students in reaching their goals to graduate and to get accepted into the college of their choice. Smaller schools provide great learning environments for students. With a 12:1 student teacher ratio, our students get the attention they need to succeed academically and socially. Students feel accepted and appreciated for who they are and they proudly support the student led anti-bullying policy. Our teachers make students' education relevant with community-based, hands-on learning. If you would like to learn more please visit our website: www.newrootsschool.org. Prospective students are welcome to shadow New Roots students on Wednesdays. Call 607-882-9220 ext 207 to make an appointment. Visit us and see for yourself what New Roots is all about!
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2013

New Roots Charter School exceeded my expectations as a parent for both academic rigor AND engaging, meaningful learning experiences that you can't did in other high schools around here as part of the day to day experience. My son, who is a proud graduate of the class of 2013, is a smart young man who was not challenged or motivated by traditional approaches to "rigor" that amount to an endurance test in busy work. He's now in the very selective college of his choice with a scholarship no less. Thank heavens for New Roots, which really gave him an opportunity to develop a passion for learning that has made all the difference in getting him off to a great start with college!
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2013

New Roots Charter School. If you value a solid education, this is not the school for your child. Depsite distorted claims that they exceed Ithaca, they are way behind in Regents pass rates and graduation rates, which is not surprising given the extremely high teacher and staff turnover. They will make hollow promises and offer false assertions, so verify everything they say through outside sources. Some kids love it as it offers very little academic challenge and operates more as teenage day care. What you will NOT hear about are the many kids who, after returning to their original school district, took many months to "catch up" to their peer group. Their failure to meet or exceed Ithaca's benchmarks for Regents pass rates and graduation rates cast serious doubt as to whether their charter will be renewed. Home districts offer much better educational AND extra-curricular offerings, while New Roots "sustainability" curriculum is mostly hype. Many Ithacans don't feel comfortable telling the harsh truth about this "school" or their score here would be much lower. Don't trust their hype and propaganda! Their failure rates say it all...
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2013

I am a parent who is considering a move to the Ithaca area with two children who may benefit from a Charter School such as New Roots. Please send more information if possible.
Submitted by student on October 15, 2012

I used to attend a normal public school and there I was constantly harrassed by the staff members and I was treated like my thoughts and talents didn't matter. I spent my freshman year in that high school and my sophomore year I joined New Roots Charter School. On the first day of school all I could say was, "Wow, they care about what I think." Through the years my teachers have spotted my talents and helped me find out who I am as a person with all of the one on one help and personal relationships that go on here. I've learned how to manage my time better and become an overall better person. I'm a senior this year and I am so proud to be graduating from this high school instead of your typical public school where you are barely a person. Thank you, New Roots Charter School for making me a better person and helping me discover who I am.
Submitted by student on October 14, 2012

New Roots is an amazing community which allows me to do well in my academics and take part in an amazing community. Last year I made many new friends and did well on all of my regents exams. I am proud to be a student at this great school.