Are you accredited?

Renewed Roots follows a clear accreditation and instructional-quality pathway for each of our 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 enrichment 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 School → A homeschool enrichment/tutorial program (forest school) 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 full-day private school.

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

During quiet study time, our team helps with:

Lesson completion
Study habits
Organization
Maintaining academic flow

Our Supervising Instructor reviews each child’s progress monthly 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 requires a brief introductory call.
Forest School & Preschool require a family interview.

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 enrichment program for ages 7–16, and a half-day, license-exempt preschool for ages 3–6.

We are not a childcare center.
We are not a full-day private school.

Is this a faith-based program?

Renewed Roots is gently faith-rooted.
We weave in:

Creation care
Gratitude
Values-based teaching
Scripture-inspired lessons

while welcoming families from a wide range of beliefs.

Do you operate year-round?

Preschool & Homeschool Enrichment: 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.

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?

We support these subjects during study blocks.
Parents remain the legal homeschool supervisors, and children bring their curriculum from home unless using our recommended set.

Our role:

Guide
Support
Reinforce
Help maintain academic momentum

Your role:

Choose curriculum
Track progress
Submit homeschool paperwork (MN) or notification (ND)

How do you ensure my child is meeting academic expectations?

Monthly review by a licensed teacher
Progress check-ins
Optional parent meetings
Structured academic time daily

Social Experience, Milestones & Community

Will my child miss traditional school events?

Homeschool students may not participate in:

Traditional prom
Homecoming
School plays
Formal graduation ceremonies

Renewed Roots provides its own nature-based traditions:

Seasonal festivals
Harvest celebration
End-of-year recognition ceremony
Leadership badges & stewardship milestones
Mixed-age mentorship opportunities

We also connect families with regional homeschool groups that offer proms and graduations.

Enrollment Policies & Financial Questions

Do you offer sibling discounts?

Yes, sibling discounts apply to both camp and school-year tuition under our hybrid model.

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 may explore a scholarship fund in the future.

Food, Allergies & Animals

Do you serve meals?

Families provide lunch from home.
We provide healthy snacks daily.

Can you accommodate allergies?

We partner closely with families to create safe food and outdoor experiences. Allergies must be communicated at enrollment.

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?