• School is not the right place for everyone. 


• Many people who hear about DRC, say, “I wish there was a place like Deep Root Center when I was in school. ​

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• DRC is here, now, for real kids who have the courage to expand their vision of what education can be, seek real world learning opportunities, and yearn to be surrounded by people who trust them explicitly to make good decisions. 

• Most of the classes at DRC are seminars because our students learn best in a give and take - conversation based environment. The students instigate and outline most of these classes, with support from the staff and volunteers.

• Experiential (active) learning is at the heart of DRC. We expect our students to ask the big questions, make mistakes, and get messy. In return, they have unrestricted access to resources, supplies, and equipment and are all encouraged to play, use their imaginations, engage in independent exploration, and create to their hearts content.

• Our students have the opportunity to be completely immersed in nature every Tuesday through the Water, Woods, & Wild Wonders program.

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• Kids feel free to express themselves, without the fear of being judged or ridiculed.  DRC is a safe and supportive space. 

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• DRC has one rule: Respect yourself, each other, and this space. 

• This year 100% of our students receive varying amounts of scholarship aid - totaling more than $50,000.  

• You can be an important part of Deep Root Center by making sure we are here for the kids who need us now. 

 

• You can invest in our student’s futures by contributing a one-time donation to our annual appeal or by setting up a monthly donation via the donate button on the DRC website. 

 

• You can help to identify and write grants. 

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• You can volunteer to mentor or share your talents with our students. 

The power of positive and supportive messages cannot (should not) be trivialized, especially in our consumer culture that is fueled by dissatisfaction, competition, and pettiness.   
 
Supportive affirmations are an established piece of every interaction at Deep Root Center, especially during each student’s weekly mentoring session. However, I think that we have all become slightly immune to the praise and encouragement that swirl around us because it has become almost unremarkable. We don’t even have to work hard to create this environment – respectful, nurturing language has become a habit and our sincere affection for each other is tangible evidence that we appreciate the essential human-ness that each of us brings to the space.
 
Therefore, in an attempt to shine a light on the extraordinary that may feel (and appear) normal, I want to express my deep gratitude to the people who are at the very core of the wondrously thoughtful and caring atmosphere at DRC.  I am indebted to my fellow DRC team - Christopher and Trish; we are all richer for their wisdoms, commitment, talents, and love that you share unreservedly.  Thank you to all of our students who have the courage to be different and who bring their interests, ideas, youthful spirit, intellect, and compassion every day. Thanks to the DRC Board - an amazing group of individuals who, despite having full and busy lives, spend time and energy to fundraise, mentor, write grants, and generate ideas on DRC's behalf.  I am grateful to our families who have embraced this revolutionary educational model and have spread the word.  Thank you to our many volunteers who share their interests and talents with our kids.
 
Additional thanks to all of the people who contribute financially to DRC -  every dollar counts.  It allows us to say, “yes” to every kid who dares to think outside the box to imagine their unique education and life.
 
I am so very honored to spend my days with these inspiring people in this place that we have created – together.  #gratefulbeyondbelief

​by Maria Corse
 
Our culture has corrupted the perception of beauty to the point that it is used almost solely as a way to objectify (mostly) women.  I believe that visual appeal is but one small piece of the whole package. It should not be a calculated measurement that society uses as a scale to evaluate a person’s sum worth instead of, or, as a precursor, to their integrity, talent, intelligence, behavior, and attitude.
 
Let’s be honest – girls are often praised for their prettiness before they are celebrated for their inquisitive intelligence and they are berated for their personal style (clothing and adornment choices) and gutsy attitude before they are honored for their quirky uniqueness.  While boys are frequently commended for their handsomeness, as well as their rough and tumble behavior before they are complimented for their artistry and they are condemned for showing emotion before they are congratulated for their compassion.
 
In addition, young people are inundated with photo-shopped visions of perfection – a physical standard that is not even close to realistic. They are then told that they can attain that paragon, if only they purchase and use product X, Y or Z.  Therefore, as tweens and teens, they seek out validation for cosmetic values, not fully understanding that they are initiating a downward spiral where their self-worth becomes entangled with other’s perceptions which (by the way) are totally based on artificial measures.
 
By focusing on physical attributes (objectifying) we are, quite simply, perpetuating a culture of superficiality, disrespect, and, yes, even, anxiety and abuse by placing emphasis squarely on the things that have absolutely nothing to do with anybody’s capabilities, contributions, or spirit.
 
What if we told young girls, instead, that we appreciate their ideas, their creativeness, their inventiveness, their moxie, their multi-layered questions, their problem-solving skills, their stubbornness, their astuteness, and their desire to step outside the confines of their prescribed box, as well as their nurturing kindness?
 
What if we told young boys that we appreciate their intuition, their imagination, their empathy, their style, their wisdom, their talents, their aspirations, their determination, and their willingness to step outside the boundaries of their socially acceptable box, as well as their ability to be tough? 
 
Even better, what if we degenderized the entire conversation and told all young people we value them for their individuality, idealism, convictions, confidence, genius, rare gifts, and inclination to break down the barriers of cultural norms, as well as their innate silliness and spirited generosity? 
 
Imagine that in doing so, we could elevate beauty to a place where it would define all of those attributes that make us beautifully human.

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by Maria Corse
 
Rules are made to be broken and despite understanding that old adage on an intimately personal level, I fell into the trap, yet again, and, in a moment of pure frustration declared an edict.  Which, I have to say, failed spectacularly, once again proving, beyond a doubt, that if someone wants to do something badly enough – they will find a way to do it, whether that desire is contraband, or not.  
 
When humans are told “no”, “you can’t”, or “absolutely not”, we all get intensely creative. Because in all our “big brained” glory, most of us are perverse, persistent, and imaginative as hell, by nature (and design), and we will find a way around any mandate.
 
I (you) cannot change someone’s behavior, simply by dictating what they cannot do. 
Apparently, I needed this lesson to hit me upside the head one more time – to really drive it home.
 
External control doesn’t work – however, engagement, conversation, intrinsic motivation, collaboration, kindness, and mentoring do.  When a young person is completely involved in all aspects of their education and life, including making important decisions, as well as being held responsible for adverse behaviors – they have nothing to rebel against.  Their creative energies will be used, instead, to pursue their interests, imagine new ideas, share important insights, and build on previous work. 
 
Consider all the vigor, vitality, and innovations those “rule breakers” and “trouble makers” could inject into our community, if only, they were not spending so much time inventing ways to circumvent systemic barriers.