Learn & Grow, Inside & Out

Growing Roots is an accredited, private K-12 microschool where learning is meaningful and creative.

JOIN OUR WAITLIST

We have 3 afternoon chickadee openings and 2 afternoon openings for 10 and up.

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We have 3 afternoon chickadee openings and 2 afternoon openings for 10 and up. 〰️

Who We Are

We are an accredited, K-12 nature-based microschool inspired by Charlotte Mason and Waldorf pedagogy.
We work collaboratively in small multi-age groups and create space for students to work grade-levels ahead or spend extra time on certain concepts as needed.
We seek to discover our connection to the earth and each other, develop our unique and collective gifts, reach for the impossible, stand in truth, and transform the world.

The Property

Growing Roots Microschool is located on 20 beautiful acres just west of downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The children participate in caring for both plants and animals with our greenhouse, garden, fire pit, pond, chicken house, and walking trails.

The Students

Chickadees

The early years are spent listening to stories, learning poetry, exploring nature, gaining number sense, experiencing beautiful art, and learning to read.

Through developing the habits of attention, courage, imagination, good attitude, self-control, responsibility, quality work, and service, Chickadees become excited learners.

Emerging Readers

Hawks

With the goal of becoming independent thinkers and problem solvers, Hawks experience living books in short lessons with engagement and ownership.

Embracing a rich, challenging, hands-on curriculum with great literature, arts, outdoor play, and nature study, Hawks become self-educators.

Living Learners

Bluejays

Growing in Responsibility

Charlotte Mason said, “The question is not, how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education — but, how much does he care?”

Exploring subjects in meaningful, practical, artistic ways creates the motivation to enjoy learning into adulthood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We are accredited by the Indiana Department of Education and participate in the school choice scholarship (voucher) program, minimizing the cost for families.
Rather than encourage the pursuit of grades and praise for points, we emphasize personal growth and a love of learning, while checking for understanding through narration and assessments which include empathy, cooperation, and effort, favoring a "feast of ideas" over strict, rigid academic benchmarks.
By high school we give letter grades and base these on best effort and hard work rather than simply inherent skill or high scores.
Instead of grade levels, we group classes by age and skill level allowing children to interact with a several-year range. Older children learn empathy toward their younger counterparts while littles glean from the example of olders.

We believe in learning through life giving stories. outdoor experiences, hands-on activities, and curriculum that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.
Our core principles are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We teach absolutely no doctrine and welcome and respect all faiths.
While we meet in a building on church property, we are not sponsored or affiliated with The Pointe Church or any denomination.

Meet the Team

Ms Tessa

LEAD TEACHER, LANGUAGE ARTS, PSYCHOLOGY

Tessa is passionate about children and education. Having been homeschooled, she values small group learning and individualized pacing.
She aims to create a classroom where every child has a voice and the support they need to thrive.
Mr. Maarten

MATH, ROBOTICS, BUILDING
You wouldn’t know that Maarten grew up in the Netherlands, but his world travel and European roots give him a fantastic foundation from which to teach.
Passionate about math and science, he encourages every student to find the wonder in numbers and empirical study,
Ms. Andrea

NATURE STUDIES
Andrea is passionate about education and the natural world. She believes young children learn best through curiosity, hands-on experiences, and meaningful connections.
She creates a classroom where students feel inspired, engaged, and connected through nature-based learning.
Ms. Audrey

ART, PERMACULTURE

Audrey has spent 14 years on a permaculture farm, including 12 years homeschooling her children in a nature-centered rhythm. She’s also joined mission trips to share sustainable practices globally.
She encourages students to trust themselves, move with patience and joy, and see the value in both nature and themselves.
Ms. Lavenia

SPANISH LANGUAGE
Ms. Lavenia brings six years of experience as an interpreter and a passion for language and culture to the classroom. Having traveled throughout Latin America, she loves helping students connect with Spanish through real-world experiences.
She is currently pursuing her BA in Spanish at Purdue University and enjoys making language learning engaging and meaningful.
Ms. Barbara

ADMIN, HANDWORK
Barbara brings decades of experience supporting children, families, and educators with compassion and care.
With a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education, 50+ years in children’s ministry, and 47 years of administrative support experience, she helps create organized, nurturing environments where students feel safe, valued, and encouraged to grow.
Ms. Leena

FOUNDER / DIRECTOR

Leena began tutoring in college which led her to major in Middle School Math education, ultimately completing a Bachelor of Science in English Literature.
While she homeschooled her daughters, she tutored and taught in a variety of educational settings.