Are You Ready for a Change?
Our program is open to new participants throughout the year.
Deep Root Center provides a safe, non-coercive multi-age environment either at our Canton Center or our new Pop-ups - in the greater Massena area, where each child's innate love of learning, natural curiosity, and unique way of looking at the world is celebrated and nurtured and is what guides their specific learning plan.
Deep Root Center offers an alternative to school for young people ages 5-19. We are here to support each individual, moving forward, in a unique direction, to follow their interests and goals, at a pace that is right for them. Our main goal is to encourage participants to rediscover and embrace their natural playfulness, curiosity, and creativity; and, in the process, rekindle their love of learning and belief in themselves.
Learning to control a pocket drone
DRC is Not a School
Deep Root Center is an alternative to school because we believe that all young people deserve a safe educational environment where they feel like they are part of a community - and where they are free to explore all the possibilities. Learning can only happen when kids intuitively understand that they are secure, accepted, and trusted to make decisions, make mistakes, and explore all their interests to achieve their ever-evolving aspirations.
Painting Solar Eclipse T-shirts
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Fixing a Favorite Stuffy
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Art Room Adventures
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Diagnosing and Fixing a PC
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Your kid isn't into school. But you know they would thrive in the right environment. We trust that each child will lead the way in working together to create that environment from scratch. All topics and formats are on the table. Everything is possible.
Young People Who Choose DRC Programs:
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DRC Culture of Trust and Respect
Everyone is welcome and celebrated at Deep Root Center as a unique individual. Our policy of radical inclusivity gives us the freedom to accept, support, respect, and trust every young person on their learning journey.
Deep Root Center will not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender or gender identity, sexual preference, income level, religious affiliation, disability, or any other factors that make you and your child awesomely unique individuals.
Deep Root Center will not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender or gender identity, sexual preference, income level, religious affiliation, disability, or any other factors that make you and your child awesomely unique individuals.
Programs & Services
Collage by Kenzie Corse
Deep Root Center in Canton serves children between the ages of 5-19. Every student member has full access to DRC facilities, programs (including the Seedlings program for ages 5-10), resources, tools and equipment, learning plan development, as well as a mentoring relationship with our caring supportive staff and community.
Over the past few years, we have discovered that DRC is not the best fit for everyone. To minimize the inherent struggle that occurs when this is not the right educational environment, we have instituted a one-month trial period that each student will enter upon application. This is the time for the student to settle in and decide if we are the correct place for their personal educational needs and goals. At the end of the trial, the child, their family, and staff will meet to determine if this is a good fit or not.
Over the past few years, we have discovered that DRC is not the best fit for everyone. To minimize the inherent struggle that occurs when this is not the right educational environment, we have instituted a one-month trial period that each student will enter upon application. This is the time for the student to settle in and decide if we are the correct place for their personal educational needs and goals. At the end of the trial, the child, their family, and staff will meet to determine if this is a good fit or not.
This service is for students who want to pursue homeschooling on their own and need help with NYS homeschool documentation (IHIP, Quarterly Reports, etc), resources, as well as building official transcripts. The DRC Executive Director will schedule consultation appointments to help families navigate the process. You can begin homeschooling at any time during the academic year. You do not have to wait until September.
This service, is an extension of our Consultation Services. Any family who would like additional support or opportunities for their children to socialize, work together on collaborative projects, and get mentoring support can drop into our twice-a-week, pay-as-you-go Pop-Ups hosted by rotating venues in the Greater Massena Area.
The DRC-Canton Summer Program during the last two weeks of August is designed to offer opportunities for hands-on exploration, creativity, and fun that children crave. DRC provides a space filled with resources and materials where kids are encouraged to explore their interests freely.
