Why Roots? |
Our PURPOSE AND FOCUS |
There are many benefits to Roots Charter High School: One of the major and obvious benefits is the smaller school size. "Smaller schools may be especially important for disadvantaged students by more individualized attention and teachers being able to address different learning styles. Also, smaller schools may promote substantially improved achievement and higher graduation rates (Howley, et al., 2000).
What makes Roots unique is its hand-on, authentic and relevant learning experience offered at Roots. Many students leave school because they feel the "learning" is irrelevant to their lives. Roots focus is authentic/ relevant learning. According to American Association of School Administrators "Relevant learning is interdisciplinary and contextual. It requires students to apply core knowledge, concepts or skills to solve real-world problems." Roots provides real world context to the knowledge the students receive through a farm. Another major benefit is Roots Consequence Centered Framework. Everything at Roots is centered on this framework, teaching kids that they "Reap what they sow". Roots feels that is important to put the control of individuals lives back into their hands and help them to understand that they are a steward to everything in their lives and community. |
ROOTS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL PURPOSE
Roots Charter High School targets students in the greater West Valley City area and instill them with the knowledge, skills and ability to live healthy, productive and sustainable lives. Graduates are proficient in math and reading and well prepared for post-secondary education through authentic learning that develops ecological literacy, academic accomplishment, strong character, and a commitment to community. ROOTS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOCUS Roots Charter High School is on a farm and strives to authenticate all the learning that takes place at the school through the farm as a laboratory. Individuals are often motivated by solving real-world problems to authentic tasks. Learning is enhanced by this motivation. The Roots farm provides an array of real world problems that enable the students to try out and use the knowledge they acquire in their studies. This learning by doing and learning by solving increases retention* and helps students better engage in their studies. *John W. Thomas, Ph. D THE PURPOSES OF UTAH’S CHARTER SCHOOLS AS A WHOLE ARE TO:
(53A-1a-503) Charter School Website: http://www.schools.utah.gov/charterschools Comparison of Public, Charter, Private Schools: http://www.schools.utah.gov/charterschools/Home/Comparison.aspx |