Q - I have heard of Deep Root Center, but what exactly is it?
A – Deep Root Center is not a school. Rather, DRC offers an alternative to school, best described as a hybrid of homeschooling and school. It is a small, safe, non-compulsory, non-coercive, drop-in self-directed learning center for any young person (ages 5-19) who is dissatisfied with their current educational situation. DRC provides a multitude of resources, as well as space and time for classes, independent study, individual hands on projects, nature study, and social interactions, to all of their members.
Q - Who is Deep Root Center for?
A - DRC is for any young person (ages 5-19) who is, for one reason or another, dissatisfied with their current schooling experience and are seeking another way forward.
Some DRC youth and families come from an alternative mindset. They are already comfortable with non-traditional choices. Other DRC members never planned to choose an alternate path. Many have tried to make school work for them in various ways and in various locations, with similar results. The environment and instruction typically offered in school is not for everyone.
Q - Why Choose Deep Root Center for Self-Directed Learning?
A - You have interests and goals that are not being met by your current educational environment.
You are feeling Bored, Anxious, or Disenfranchised.
You are seeking a hands on, interactive, and dynamic environment where you can be creative, imaginative, inventive, and curious, explore and make mistakes, get your feet wet, both figuratively and literally, follow your dreams and spread your wings - with a community of folks who will accept you as you are and support you, unconditionally, in all of those things .
You understand that learning happens everywhere.
Above all - you are ready to take charge of your education and life!
Q - Do DRC students go on to college?
A - Absolutely. In fact, we expect that all of our students will go on to further education, training, or inspiring work.
DRC students are able to audit classes at both SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam. By auditing one college class per semester (for a nominal fee) DRC students are gaining experience in a college classroom. These classes are included in their high school transcript.
Just as if a teen were to continue to attend traditional school, substantial work is required to prepare for college and to be accepted to competitive universities. However, pursuing your studies at Deep Root Center allows greater flexibility and freedom in what you study and how.
Using North Star as an example, not only do the vast majority of North Star teens go on to college, North Star has three alumni who are now university professors, and one who is a superintendent, in addition to hundreds of successful professionals.
Q - How does DRC work?
A – Deep Root Center student members leave public school to build their personal educational plan based on their interests and goals with guidance and support from DRC staff members. Homeschooling is the the legal mechanism to accomplish this.
The process begins by filling out the membership application and financial agreement. It is important to note that Deep Root Center has an economically diverse population; we have never refused a student based on their family’s financial situation. A fee reduction is available to anyone who needs it. The second step is to meet with the Executive Director to write the NYS required Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP). This becomes the students personal learning plan.
Q - How is Deep Root Center funded?
A – Deep Root Center is funded through membership fees, grants, sponsorships, and philanthropic donations. We do not receive any funding from the State or Federal government. We do not receive subsidies and do not participate in any school voucher programs. DRC has an annual fee; however, offers substantial scholarship aid to 95% of our student members, totaling over 105,000.00 each year. The staff and board are very proud to say, we have never refused a young person because of their family’s inability to pay the full fee. With the community’s generous contributions, we are able to continue this tradition of supporting those young people who choose a different educational path - one that truly reflects their interests and aspirations.
Much of the work at Deep Root Center is provided by volunteers. We would not be able to do all we do without their generous gifts of time and talent.
If you have additional questions or would like to schedule an appointment - please get in touch
A – Deep Root Center is not a school. Rather, DRC offers an alternative to school, best described as a hybrid of homeschooling and school. It is a small, safe, non-compulsory, non-coercive, drop-in self-directed learning center for any young person (ages 5-19) who is dissatisfied with their current educational situation. DRC provides a multitude of resources, as well as space and time for classes, independent study, individual hands on projects, nature study, and social interactions, to all of their members.
Q - Who is Deep Root Center for?
A - DRC is for any young person (ages 5-19) who is, for one reason or another, dissatisfied with their current schooling experience and are seeking another way forward.
Some DRC youth and families come from an alternative mindset. They are already comfortable with non-traditional choices. Other DRC members never planned to choose an alternate path. Many have tried to make school work for them in various ways and in various locations, with similar results. The environment and instruction typically offered in school is not for everyone.
Q - Why Choose Deep Root Center for Self-Directed Learning?
A - You have interests and goals that are not being met by your current educational environment.
You are feeling Bored, Anxious, or Disenfranchised.
You are seeking a hands on, interactive, and dynamic environment where you can be creative, imaginative, inventive, and curious, explore and make mistakes, get your feet wet, both figuratively and literally, follow your dreams and spread your wings - with a community of folks who will accept you as you are and support you, unconditionally, in all of those things .
You understand that learning happens everywhere.
Above all - you are ready to take charge of your education and life!
Q - Do DRC students go on to college?
A - Absolutely. In fact, we expect that all of our students will go on to further education, training, or inspiring work.
DRC students are able to audit classes at both SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam. By auditing one college class per semester (for a nominal fee) DRC students are gaining experience in a college classroom. These classes are included in their high school transcript.
Just as if a teen were to continue to attend traditional school, substantial work is required to prepare for college and to be accepted to competitive universities. However, pursuing your studies at Deep Root Center allows greater flexibility and freedom in what you study and how.
Using North Star as an example, not only do the vast majority of North Star teens go on to college, North Star has three alumni who are now university professors, and one who is a superintendent, in addition to hundreds of successful professionals.
Q - How does DRC work?
A – Deep Root Center student members leave public school to build their personal educational plan based on their interests and goals with guidance and support from DRC staff members. Homeschooling is the the legal mechanism to accomplish this.
The process begins by filling out the membership application and financial agreement. It is important to note that Deep Root Center has an economically diverse population; we have never refused a student based on their family’s financial situation. A fee reduction is available to anyone who needs it. The second step is to meet with the Executive Director to write the NYS required Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP). This becomes the students personal learning plan.
Q - How is Deep Root Center funded?
A – Deep Root Center is funded through membership fees, grants, sponsorships, and philanthropic donations. We do not receive any funding from the State or Federal government. We do not receive subsidies and do not participate in any school voucher programs. DRC has an annual fee; however, offers substantial scholarship aid to 95% of our student members, totaling over 105,000.00 each year. The staff and board are very proud to say, we have never refused a young person because of their family’s inability to pay the full fee. With the community’s generous contributions, we are able to continue this tradition of supporting those young people who choose a different educational path - one that truly reflects their interests and aspirations.
Much of the work at Deep Root Center is provided by volunteers. We would not be able to do all we do without their generous gifts of time and talent.
If you have additional questions or would like to schedule an appointment - please get in touch
