Common Questions
Why New Roots? Your Questions Answered Here!
Q: Are you still enrolling new students for the '09-'10 school year?
A: Yes! In fact, this is a unique opportunity to guarantee your student's placement at New Roots. We have a limited number of openings in both grades 9 and 10 at this time. Based on last year's enrollment process, we anticipate having a waiting list for next year. New Roots is enrolling students in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades for the 2010-11 academic year. We will be adding a 12th grade in our third year.
Q: Who are the students at New Roots?
A: New Roots is chartered by the State University of New York Board of Trustees; any New York State student is eligible to attend New Roots. Approximately 90 students attend New Roots; most come from within Tompkins County. If you live within 15 miles of Ithaca, your home school district will provide busing for you to get to New Roots. All students will have a school-provided T-CAT bus pass, as well.
Q: Do students take Regents tests?
A: Yes. Students take a core curriculum sequence of four years of science, math, Social Studies and English featuring interdisciplinary connections, problem-based learning and a global perspective. Students have the choice of learning French or Spanish as the foreign language requirement. Students graduate in four years with a Regents diploma and college credits. To graduate from New Roots Charter School, all students are required to demonstrate that they have met all 28 New York State Learning Standards. Through concurrent enrollment, some courses for juniors and seniors are designed to meet standards for Tompkins Cortland Community College. New Roots does not offer AP courses.
Q: Can I play on sports teams at Ithaca High School?
A: No. New Roots students are considered in the same classification as homes-choolers or private school students, and are not eligible to participate in extracurricular programs or sports teams at Ithaca High School. New Roots offers a rigorous physical education program that features cycling, running, basketball, and a fitness club.
Q: What if I decide I want to go back to my home school?
A: Students always have the option of transferring back to their home district’s high school, and students at those high schools will also have the option to transfer into New Roots when there are openings.
Q: What's the benefit of attending a small high school?
* Close relationships between students and faculty
* Individualized attention and learning plans
* Founding students' interests and needs drive the development of the school
* Opportunities for everyone to shine!
