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ROOTS Farm &
Forest School

​ROOTS Nature School is a Farm & Forest School nestled on our 2.7-acre homestead in Sussex County, Delaware, serving ages 2-12yrs old. Here, children thrive through hands-on experiences in nature, blending farm and forest-based education with child-led, project-based learning. Our vibrant learning environment includes pollinator gardens, food forests, and children's gardens, alongside the care of animals like goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits.

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With a focus on environmental stewardship, life skills, and social-emotional growth, ROOTS is a place where curiosity blooms, and children learn to care for themselves, their community, and the earth. Our programs include community service, cultural studies, art, yoga and mindfulness, character development, and a focus on 21st-century skills, all while integrating academics in meaningful ways. Designed for diverse learners, including neurodivergent children, our inclusive programs foster creativity, collaboration, and resilience.

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Our goal is to maintain small teacher-to-student ratios of 8:1 or less, ensuring personalized attention and meaningful connections. At ROOTS, we meet children where they are, teaching through a variety of learning styles—auditory, visual, tactile, and more. Through emergent learning, we observe children’s interests and design lessons around their natural curiosity for authentic and engaging educational experiences. This will also include play-based learning.

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In addition to farm and forest exploration, our programming includes guest speakers, child-led homestead projects, and engaging STEAM activities. Weekly trips off-site to a local forest provide even more opportunities for exploration, learning, and fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.

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As Delaware faces educational challenges with a ranking of 45th nationwide and over 50 schools requiring improvement, ROOTS Nature School offers a meaningful alternative. Our farm and forest approach provides a hands-on, community-centered solution to reimagine education and meet the diverse needs of our children.

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With several enrollment options (1, 2, 4 Day per week options), families can remain an integral part of their child’s education through multi-generational learning, community celebrations, and fostering autonomy. Discover the joy of learning through nature at ROOTS Farm & Forest School!

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NOW ENROLLING for Sep 2025-2026 School Year!!!

Program Options: (Sep 2025-2026 School Year)

PreK (Ages 2-4 years)

  • Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

  • Details: Parent participation required.

  • Availability: 2 spots left 🪑🪑

    • Join the waitlist by clicking the registration form and choosing the waitlist option: Registration Here

 

School Age (Ages 5-12 years)

  • 1-Day Program:

    • Tuesdays: SOLD OUT!! 🚫

      • Join the waitlist by clicking the registration form and choosing the waitlist option: Registration Here

    • Mondays: 2 spots left 🪑🪑

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  • 2-Day Program: Mondays & Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

    • Thursdays: Forest Day (held at a local forest)

    • Availability: 2 spots left 🪑🪑

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  • 4-Day Program: Monday – Thursday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

    • Thursdays: Forest Day (held at a local forest)

    • Availability: 1 spot left (Ages 9-12 only); all other ages can join the waitlist by using the registration form: Registration Form

Why Choose the 4-Day Option? 🌟

The 4-Day Program offers unparalleled enrichment opportunities, including:

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🛠️📚 In-Depth Learning: Longer-term, project-based activities that build essential skills.

🗣️✨Guest Speakers: Special visits from experts to deepen understanding and engagement.

🔍🌍 Learning Extensions: Opportunities for advanced exploration and activities beyond the

                                                               basics.

What Makes ROOTS Farm & Forest School Special? 🌻

ROOTS Farm & Forest School is a transformative learning environment on a vibrant 2.7-acre homestead in Sussex County, Delaware. Here, children thrive through a unique blend of farm and forest education, hands-on experiences, and child-led learning.

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Highlights:

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  • 🌾Nature Immersion: Children engage with lush pollinator gardens, wildflower meadows, and a thriving food forest 🌷.

  • 🐓Animal Care: Students learn responsibility and compassion by caring for goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and more 🐐.

  • 🍄Nature Playscape: Inspires creativity through features like a mud kitchen, sensory walkways, fairy gardens, and balance beams 🪵.

  • 🥕Homesteading Activities: Children connect with the seasons and participate in self-sufficiency tasks like gardening and food preparation 🌿.

  • 🎨STEAM-Based Learning: Combines science, technology, engineering, arts, and math with real-world applications 🔬.

  • 🌍Community Engagement: Weekly off-site trips, community service projects, and cultural studies 🚌.

  • 🎶Social-Emotional Growth: Yoga, mindfulness, art, and music nurture mental and emotional well-being 🧘‍♀️.

Philosophy and Approach 📖

ROOTS combines environmental stewardship, social-emotional growth, and academic integration through:

  • 🌱 Child-Led Learning: Lessons are crafted based on children’s interests for authentic engagement 🎨.

  • 👩‍👧Small Class Sizes: A maximum 8:1 teacher-to-student ratio ensures personalized attention 🧑‍🏫.

  • 💡Inclusive Practices: We support neurodivergent learners with trained educators and adaptive methods 🤝.

ROOTS Impact 🌍

In a state where education ranks 45th nationwide, ROOTS Farm & Forest School offers a meaningful alternative. Beyond academics, our programs create a space for families to:

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  • 🎉Participate in multi-generational learning 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦.

  • 🌟Build a strong sense of community 🫶.

  • ✨Celebrate autonomy and creativity 🌈.

  • 🌟Learn 21st Century Skills 💡.

Join Our Community 👫

ROOTS is more than a school—it’s a place where children:

  • Find wonder in the natural world 🌳✨.

  • Develop lasting friendships 🤗💞.

  • Grow into stewards, creators, and dreamers 🛠️💡.

Which program is best for my family? 🔍

1-Day Program (Homeschool Enrichment Class) (Ages 5-12) ($69/week):

  • Perfect for families seeking an introduction to nature-based education.

  • Focus on hands-on learning and smaller-scale projects.

  • Enhanced community service and connections through celebrations and homestead engagement

 

2-Day Program (Ages 5-12) ($159/week):

  • Includes everything from the 1-Day Program, plus:

    • Themed & Guided Forest Day with enrichment activities like forest exploration, guided lessons, themed "tea time," and much more.

    • Specialized Skill Development: Focus on life skills, survival skills, etc.

    • Increased Social and Emotional Benefits through additional socialization, team-building activities, and collaborative projects.

    • Opportunities for more in-depth learning extensions and enrichment tied to weekly themes.

    • Additional balance of structured lessons and child-led exploration.

 

4-Day Program (Ages 5-12) ($275/week):

  • Includes everything offered in the 1-Day and 2-Day Programs, plus:

    • Enhanced Skill Mastery: Focus on life skills, survival skills, gardening, and larger creative projects.

    • Cross-Disciplinary Projects: Integrated projects combining STEM, arts, academics, and environmental stewardship.

    • Increased Leadership Skills: Opportunities to mentor younger peers, lead group projects, and take on team-building challenges.

    • Guest speakers and guided lessons.

    • Community engagement.

    • Multi-generational learning opportunities with senior citizens and community members.

    • Larger community service projects & increased impact.

    • Opportunities for additional academic enrichment time.

    • Advanced Outdoor Adventures: Activities such as orienteering, nature photography, or preparing for overnight camping experiences.

    • Project Showcases: Opportunities for families to celebrate their child’s accomplishments through presentations or exhibits.

 

Preschool 2-Day Program (Ages 2-4) ($75/week):

This program offers a nurturing, nature-based introduction to education for our youngest learners.

  • Focus on exploration, creativity, and early learning through hands-on activities.

  • Engagement with the homestead and animals to develop compassion and responsibility.

  • Similar to our current Nature Pals Program, but with additional opportunities to practice mindfulness and traditional preschool skills, integrating age-appropriate Math, Language Arts, and more.

  • Potential Themed & Guided Forest Day each week for sensory exploration, stories, and guided activities.

  • Community connections and community building through celebrations.

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Contact

For questions or to schedule a call! 

talon@roots302.com

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