Discover Your Potential. Empower Your Future.
Experience Real World Learning
Discover Your Strengths
Invent Your Future
A High School As Unique As You Are
New Roots Charter School is a small tuition-free public high school with a big mission located in the heart of downtown Ithaca. Open to any student eligible for high school in our wider region, our college and life preparatory program engages students in learning actively, thinking critically, and solving problems creatively and collaboratively, developing the knowledge and skills to be 21st century solutionaries for a sustainable future. Small school, bright future!
Cultivating Success
Real World Education
Real World Education
Community engagement through field trips and projects exploring current issues and community success stories make classroom learning relevant and meaningful.
Learn by Doing
Learn by Doing
Classes feature active learning, focusing on projects and presentations for real audiences, and internships for real-world career exploration and skills.
Invent a Sustainable Future
Invent a Sustainable Future
Our students develop system thinking, leadership and entrepreneurship skills to imagine and create innovative new ways of inventing opportunities for our communities near and far.
Farm to School
Farm to School
Featuring Ithaca's original Farm to School Cafe, all students enjoy FREE breakfast and lunch featuring locally sourced ingredients from the Youth Farm Project, our very own Urban Farm Project, and more.
Build Community
Build Community
Our school culture is inclusive and welcoming of every person, supported by team building, community development, our Urban Farm Project, and student participation in governance through student council.
Breathe
Breathe
Our wellness program inspires practical techniques for focus and stress management rooted in neuroscience, mindfulness, healthy nutrition, and physical activity. Join our co-ed soccer team or propose a new physical fitness club with other students.
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship
Restoring the natural world that sustains all life is essential to our well being. Our students explore through classroom projects, the Cayuga Wetlands Restoration Project, and more.
Earn College Credit Now
Earn College Credit Now
Upper school students (grades 11-12) earn college credit for required high school credits and electives.
Play! Create!
Play! Create!
Create a band with friends, design your own solo career, discover hip hop music production, and prepare to perform at Rootstock which was founded by New Roots and Grassroots in 2019.
Powerful Outcomes
New Roots by the Numbers
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College acceptance rate for New Roots graduates
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Students feel New Roots encourages them to be their best
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Teachers received an A+ rating from their students
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