Are you accredited?

Renewed Roots is following two accreditation and instructional-quality pathways, one for each of our forest programs. Because we operate more than one educational model, the type of accreditation depends on the program your child is enrolled in.

Wanderers Half-Day Preschool (Ages 3–6)

Our preschool is structured under Minn. Stat. §142B.05, subd. 2(a)(16) as a short-session early learning program.

We are currently pursuing accreditation through NAEYC, the nation’s leading standard for early childhood education.
NAEYC accreditation validates high-quality, developmentally aligned early learning practices.

Forest School / Homeschool Enrichment (Ages 6–16)

Our Forest School operates under Minn. Stat. §120A.22 & §120A.24 as a homeschool tutorial center and instructional partnership for school-age learners.

We are currently seeking accreditation through the Forest School Teacher Institute (FSTI) to align our curriculum, outdoor teaching practices, and educator training with nationally recognized forest-school standards.

Forest School instruction is also reviewed monthly by a Minnesota-licensed teacher, as required under homeschool statutes.

Summer Camp (Ages 6–13)

Our Summer Camp is a school-age seasonal recreational and educational program operating under Minn. Stat. §142B.05, subd. 2(a)(3).

Camps of this type are not accredited in the traditional sense, but our team follows established outdoor-education, safety, and experiential-learning best practices, and staff receive training grounded in nature-based and child-led methodologies.

In Simple Terms:

We operate a combination of:

Preschool → A short-session early learning program (preschool )in the NAEYC accreditation process
Forest Microschool → A full-day, drop-off, instructor-led homeschool tutorial program grounded in forest school pedagogy and currently in the FSTI accreditation process.
Summer Camp → Operates as a Minnesota-defined school-age seasonal recreational/educational program with structured safety and instructional standards.

We are not a licensed childcare center.
We are not a traditional private school.
We are a nonpublic, instructor-led homeschool tutorial center offering full-day, drop-off learning grounded in enrichment and forest school pedagogy.

This approach ensures each program is held to the right standards for its age group, purpose, and statutory structure, without forcing a one-size-fits-all model that doesn’t match nature-based education.

Accreditation, Oversight & Instructional Quality

FAQs

General Program Questions

I live in North Dakota. Do Minnesota laws apply to me, and can my child attend Renewed Roots?

Yes. Families from North Dakota can fully enroll in our Minnesota-based programs.

Minnesota laws apply to the program, not to where you live.
ND families remain legally homeschooled under North Dakota law, while Renewed Roots serves as your child’s tutorial enrichment program.
There are no restrictions on ND residents attending a Minnesota preschool, camp, or homeschool tutorial center.
Enrollment, tuition, schedules, and expectations are exactly the same for ND families.

In simple terms:
Yes, you can attend. We follow MN statutes because we are located in MN. You follow ND homeschool requirements because you live in ND. We help you with both.

What curriculum do you use at Renewed Roots?

For consistency and strong academic progress, we recommend and encourage families to use our aligned curriculum set during the daily study block. This ensures each child receives high-quality instruction supported by our staff.

Our recommended curriculum*:

Math: Teaching Textbooks
Language Arts: Night Zookeeper (creative writing + literacy) and structured grammar/spelling supports
Social Studies: Tuttle Twins Academy
*Subject to change prior to 2026 school year

During quiet study time, our team helps with:

Lesson completion
Study habits
Organization
Maintaining academic flow

A licensed elementary teacher leads the daily programming, and our Supervising Instructor reviews each child’s progress quarterly to ensure alignment with homeschool standards.

What ages do you serve?

Wanderers: 3–6
Trailblazers: 7–11
Stewards: 12–16

Each group follows a developmentally aligned rhythm designed for its stage of growth.

How do I enroll my child?

Families complete an application.

Camp enrollment can be completed online.
Forest School & Preschool require an online enrollment application and a director call prior to completing official enrollment paperwork.

Because our groups are intentionally small, early application is encouraged.

Are you a licensed childcare center or a school?

We operate as a homeschool tutorial program for ages 6–16 and as a half-day, license-exempt preschool for ages 3–5.

We are not a childcare center.
We are not a private school.

Is this a faith-based program?

Renewed Roots is gently faith-rooted. Children are guided in gratitude, values-based learning, care for the world around them, and reflective, faith-inspired lessons woven into the rhythm of the school-year program—while families of many beliefs feel welcome here. Our Summer Camp experiences are intentionally non-faith-based, focusing on shared values like kindness, respect, cooperation, and stewardship through nature, creativity, play, and community in a neutral, inclusive setting.

Do you operate year-round?

Forest School: September–May
Summer Camp: June–August

Safety, Weather & Outdoor Practices

Do children go outside every day?

Yes, outdoor time is essential to our identity.
We follow a safety-first weather policy and adjust for extreme temperatures, wind, storms, or unsafe conditions.

What happens during severe weather?

We use:

Indoor classroom spaces
Weather shelters
Delayed outdoor time
Real-time monitoring of wind, lightning, and temperature

Our staff is certified in CPR, first aid, and outdoor safety + risk assessment.

What gear does my child need?

Families receive a seasonal gear checklist for:

Rain
Snow
Heat
Mud
Daily outdoor living

We keep extra layers on site.

Program Structure, Learning & Academics

Do you teach reading, writing, and math?

Yes. Renewed Roots is an instructor-led program guided by a licensed elementary school teacher. Students participate in daily structured study blocks that support reading, writing, and mathematics using either a family’s chosen curriculum or our recommended set.

Families remain the legal homeschool supervisors, while Renewed Roots provides consistent instructional time, academic reinforcement, and a supportive learning environment that helps maintain momentum.

Our role

Guide daily instruction
Support and reinforce core academic skills
Provide structured academic learning time
Offer enrichment experiences that extend learning into science, health, physical education, art, and social studies
Help maintain consistency and academic progress

Your role

Select or approve curriculum that fits your child
Maintain oversight of overall academic progress
Complete required homeschool paperwork in Minnesota or notification in North Dakota

How do you ensure my child is meeting academic expectations?

Daily instructor-led academic time
Quarterly progress reviews by a licensed teacher
Regular progress check-ins
Optional parent meetings as needed

Enrollment Policies & Financial Questions

Do you offer sibling discounts?

Yes, sibling discounts apply to select enrollment types for Camp and Forest School

What is your cancellation or withdrawal policy?

Pay-in-Full: Non-refundable after May 1st (Camp) or August 1st (school year)
Weekly Enrollment: 30-day cancellation notice
Part-time premium slots: Billed for reserved days, not attendance

Do you offer financial aid?

Not at this time, though we suggest asking about our partial scholarships as our founding family have decided to offer three of these for our first year.

Food, Allergies & Animals

Do you serve meals?

Families provide lunch from home, and Renewed Roots provides healthy snacks daily. This approach allows our teachers to remain focused on programming and learning experiences rather than food service. Minnesota also requires a commercial kitchen for meal service, and providing lunches from home allows us to preserve the integrity of our farmstead setting.

Can you accommodate allergies?

We partner closely with families to create safe food and outdoor experiences. Allergies must be communicated at enrollment. We are not a nut-free facility.

How do you handle animals?

Our chickens, goats, and small farm animals are part of the learning environment. Children learn respectful animal care, hygiene, and safety protocols. Handwashing is required before and after animal contact.

Behavior, Inclusion & Support

Do you accept children with learning differences or sensory needs?

We welcome neurodiverse learners when our environment is a good fit.
Because we are not a therapeutic center, enrollment is determined case-by-case based on staffing, safety, and child needs.

What is your behavior philosophy?