Rooted School Indianapolis

Why Rooted School Indianapolis was nominated

Rooted School Indianapolis is a high school in Indianapolis with the mission to provide their students with personal pathways to financial freedom. Located in a high-poverty neighborhood, Rooted was founded to intentionally bring technology skills, exposure, and career opportunities to students who may not have had the opportunity to pursue those things. Students engage in industry-focused project-based learning experiences designed by Rooted�s teachers and industry partners. Projects are designed around specific community problems that students work to solve. Rooted recently formed a partnership with InnoPower, the Indianapolis Recorder (Indianapolis' historically Black newspaper) and Eleven Fifty Academy to improve exposure to careers in tech, and create a clear roadmap for Rooted students to pursue those careers. Starting as early as 9th grade, Rooted students get hands-on experience with skills like coding, web design, pitching, project management, and more with projects that focus on solving problems they see or face in their own lives. Rooted is also building local partnerships to create internship opportunities for students. , Rooted School’s curriculum, pedagogy, programmatic offerings and school environment are all characterized by constant innovation and alignment to the school’s unique mission of closing the 228 year racial wealth gap and providing all students a personal pathway to financial freedom. The opportunities provided to Rooted students often do not exist at other schools, or they are limited to few participants. Rooted believes that all students should have equal access to programs that lead to financial independence. 1. 100% of Rooted School students are enrolled in technology-centered courses that are oriented towards students earning Industry Based Credentials. Students have the option take classes in 3D-printing, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, Unity Virtual Video Game Design, Comp TIA+, and others. Students can earn up to 8 industry based credentials during their time at Rooted. 2. Students participate in self-directed learning and project based learning in all classes. Self-directed learning modules give students the opportunity to move at their own pace, and for teachers to provide students individualized instruction. Students also practice time-management skills. Project based learning experiences mimic the types of challenges and projects students will experience once they graduate. 3. Rooted School uses a competency based grading system. Students are graded on their demonstration of mastery of the subject matter, and have the opportunity to resubmit assignments to earn a higher grade. This grading system mimics how students will be expected to approach their tasks once in a career. 4. Rooted School is facilitating a direct-cash transfer program in collaboration with the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania. During the 22-23 school year, 88 students will participate in a Randomized Controlled Trial in which 44 students in a treatment group will receive $50/week for 40 weeks. The UPenn team will evaluate the impact of the cash transfers on students’ perceived financial wellbeing, attendance, and academic achievement. This program seeks to explore the structures that schools can implement that advance equity, as well as students’ well-being. The results of this study will open the door to conversations regarding larger policy and budgetary shifts within education., Our mission is to provide students personal pathways to financial freedom by increasing the number of students who graduate from high school, college or technical school ready to compete in the high growth, high wage industries starting with tech. , Rooted School Indianapolis is dedicated to equipping students with the skills for success after high school, offering a rigorous academic program that equally emphasizes college and career readiness, along with the opportunity to earn industry-based certifications while in school. Its small school size fosters a student-centered and equity-focused culture, further enhanced by numerous student organizations and clubs. Serving grades 7-12, Rooted Indianapolis is deeply embedded in the Indianapolis community, located at Eastern Star Church, creating an environment where every student can find their community and promoting a holistic approach to education., Rooted School Indianapolis is advancing equity through its focus on preparing students for high-wage careers by offering personalized, student-centered learning. The school’s approach includes tech certifications and career readiness training, equipping students with skills to close the wealth gap and achieve financial independence. Rooted School Indianapolis fosters a supportive environment that emphasizes growth, community, and excellence, ensuring all students have a clear pathway to economic mobility., Rooted School Indy is a free public charter school serving Grades 7-12, located at Eastern Star Church in partnership with The ROCK Initiative. This partnership is designed to expand high-quality school options located on or in proximity to the Eastern Star Church Campus. Rooted School Indianapolis exists to provide students personal pathways to financial freedom. We teach our students how to learn in an ever-changing world, develop their skills in the most in-demand job sectors and create technology that is transformational.