FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Roots Charter School’s 15th Graduating Class Celebrates Highest Graduation Rate in the Region
On Thursday, June 25th, the New Roots Charter School Class of 2026 tossed up their graduation caps! This 15th graduating class marks two milestones for the charter school: 100% of our seniors graduating, including 100% of our seniors of color.
Also of note, each graduate also received the NYSED Seal of Civic Readiness on their high school diploma. In order to obtain the Seal of Civic Readiness, a student must complete all requirements for a New York State local or Regents diploma and meet requirements for Civic Knowledge and Civic Participation.
All graduates were also Rotary Interact Club members. Rotary’s mission of service above self is integrated throughout our curriculum, with activities such as our school-wide Earth Day of Service, along with Service Crews such as Newts for Needs, which runs our school personal care product pantries.
In addition, 100% of the class of 2026 graduated with college credit for one or more classes. During our recent Senior Award & Recognition Ceremony, graduating student Ayden Githinji was honored with the College Acceleration Award for earning 35 college credits while at New Roots through the school’s partnership with TC3’s CollegeNow program. When asked about her time as a student at New Roots Charter School, Ayden replied;
I’ve had a lot of opportunities to share my thoughts and my voice during my time at New Roots, and it’s been a great experience for me. This school is where my interest in civic engagement stemmed from, and all my experiences here have landed me a job as I enter college. I’m going to be working for the Empire State Service Corps, and I’m going to college at Alfred State for Welding Technology in the Fall.
Other awards included NYSED 2026 Scholarships for Academic Excellence, NYS Attorney General Letitia James’ Office “Triple C” Award, Civic Ambassador Award, Comptroller Student Achievement Awards, and our own New Roots Academic Achievement Awards.
In accordance with our New Roots School-Wide Outcomes, graduates of New Roots Charter School will be: healthy persons, lifelong learners, communicators, community members, citizens, members of ecosystems, and visionaries. It is a graduation requirement that students create a digital online portfolio that demonstrates their growth and accomplishment in each of these areas over their time at New Roots. Students who have particularly exemplified these outcomes were also celebrated at the Senior Award & Recognition Ceremony.
Our graduating class received collective offers of acceptance from 37 colleges and universities, from our local TC3 to RIT! Collectively, Class of 2026 graduates were offered $1,736,350 in scholarships with their offers.
At the time of this press release the school is 92% enrolled for all grades , with 94% student retention and 100% faculty and staff retention.
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New Roots Charter School
Senior Award & Recognition Ceremony 2026
June 16, 2026
New York State Awards
- NYSED 2026 Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Kayah McAllister – $1500
- Liam McKeon $500
- Claire Springston $500
Attorney General Letitia James Office – NY State
- Triple C Award (Commitment, Character, Courage): Awarded to two students who succeed in academic pursuits, participate in community service, and display leadership skills.
- Beau Irons & Kayah Mcallister
- Civic Ambassador Award: for one student from each school who has demonstrated a passion for and knowledge of civics and government.
- Ayden Githinji
Comptroller Student Achievement Awards: presented each year to a student who has excelled academically and has also shown leadership potential by volunteering their time to serve the school or community.
- Elena Platt-Chilkotowsky, Kayah Mcallister, Liam McKeon, Beau Irons, Claire Springston, Ayden Githinji
- Rowan Leidhecker, Dash Capps, Josie Phipps, Amaya Doolittle, Macky Caraballo, Mara Chokkuwa
NY State Senate Graduation Certificate Program: Certificate of Achievement: Received by all graduating seniors
Community Awards & Recognitions
- AKA Sorority Recognitions
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- Amaya Doolittle
- 2026 Joe Cassaniti Community Service Award: Tompkins Community Action
- Dash Capps (monetary award for $350)
New Roots Academic Achievement Awards
- Highest Academic Achievement based on grade point average
- Elena Platt-Chilkotowsky: 97.3 = 4.33
- Kayah Mcallister-Lydick: 96.18 = 4.0
- Liam Mckeon: 95.49 = 4.0
- Perfect Attendance Award: Kayah Mcallister
- College Acceleration Award (Seniors with most college credits – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd):
- Ayden Githinji: 35
- Elizabeth Butts: 34
- Liam Mckeon: 28
- New Roots Joy of Learning Awards
- History – Cloie-Nicole Cotto
- Math – Elizabeth Butts
- English – Izzie Jones
- Science – Claire Springston
- New Roots Vision Awards
Exemplary School Leadership Award (Honors senior/s who have demonstrated exemplary character, lead initiatives, and positively influenced the school community):
- Beau Irons
- Artistic Vision Award – Mara Chokkuwa
- Green Warriors Award – Dash Capps and Macky Caraballo
- Rocky Bellinger Award- Cloie-Nicole Cotto
- Bella Mazza Award – Amaya Doolittle
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About New Roots Charter School
New Roots Charter School is a free public school serving students in 6th -12th grades. The school is open to all NYS residents. Now in its 17th year, New Roots provides small classes, real-world academics, and an inclusive environment designed to support student wellbeing. Enrollment for Fall 2026 is now open.