Our small, tuition-free public school located in the heart of downtown Ithaca was established in 2009 by the State University of New York.
We offer an engaging, real-world education that prepares young people for life and career with free college credits, college acceptance, and door-opening career skills.
We are open to any NYS resident in grades 6-12, regardless of what district they live in.
For more information, join us for an open house, or schedule a conversation.
WHY NEW ROOTS?
Small by design, New Roots brings academics to life through project-
and community-based learning in a welcoming community.
Personalized Education
With small classes and customized learning opportunities, our students are engaged, supported and challenged.
College-Level Academics and Real-World Engagement
At New Roots, learning is relevant and prepares our young people for college and career. New Roots students learn to be leaders and entrepreneurs, and take charge of their own lives and futures. Every young person at our school earns college credit and is accepted to a college of their choice.
Strong Community
Our school culture is inclusive and welcoming of every person, supported by intentional team building, community engagement opportunities, and student participation in governance through Student Council.
Learning by Doing
Our classes promote active learning—we focus on projects and presentations for real audiences, and give our students the opportunity to learn real-world career skills by participating in internships.
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
%
Teachers received an A+ rating from their students
%
Students earn college credit during high school
OUR MISSION
We prepare a diverse student body to embrace the opportunities of citizenship, work, and life-long learning in the 21st century. Our interdisciplinary academic program features hands-on, community-based learning that supports students in solving real-world problems.
Students earn a Regents diploma and demonstrate readiness for higher education by earning college credit and creating a graduation portfolio that demonstrates that they have met or exceeded all 28 New York State Learning Standards.
Our school community is a model of secondary education that integrates best practices in sustainability education with those proven to support educational equity.
OUR VISION
New Roots Charter School empowers young people as citizens and entrepreneurs that create just, democratic communities, and thriving green economies that restore the natural world that sustains us.
Excelling in both traditional and innovative curriculum areas, our students learn actively, think critically, and solve problems creatively and collaboratively, developing the knowledge and skills to redesign our communities for social, economic, and ecological sustainability.
We support all students in defining and realizing their goals and aspirations, and in recognizing their ability to take leadership in improving the lives of their families and community. We put the best available tools and the power of informed optimism-in the hands of tomorrow’s leaders.
TESTIMONIALS
I am attending Ithaca College where I intend to major in Business Marketing. My first semester in college has been great! One thing that surprised me about life after high school is how prepared I was for college. New Roots helped with that by giving me the opportunity to earn so many college credits that I came into Ithaca College as a Sophomore.
~ 2025 graduate
I am grateful for all the experiences that R. has participated in, including over the summer at the farm. Learning sustainability and community awareness is so vital in this life, but being able to put it to practice on a daily basis is amazing.
~ Parent, 8th grade and 12th grade, 2025
A. appreciates her teachers so much.
~ Parent, 9th grade, 2025
We love how the school works with each learner to help them succeed.
~ Parent, 6th grade and 10th grade, 2025
I love my school because it’s small, community-oriented, and full of so much heart!
~ Faculty member, 2025
I like how small the school is – it’s easy to make friends. I basically know everyone in the school! The teachers are all really nice.
~ Student, 10th grade, 2025