Instructor Led Forest Microschool
A full-day, drop-off microschool where children engage in daily instruction with confidence and joy.
Academics, outdoor learning, and community; all in one place.
Forest School program at a glance.
Ages
6-8 yrs old, 9-11 yrs old, 12-16 yrs old
mixed age learning groups, separation as needed
Hours
8:00am-4:30pm
(Pickup as early as 3:00pm)
Program Type
Nonpublic, instructor-led forest microschool operating in a full-day, drop-off format (not childcare).
Location
Red River Acres: South Moorhead, MN
70 acres of field, forest & riverfront
Focus Areas
Core academic support and education, enrichment subjects via nature-based learning, mindfulness, stewardship, creativity
Groups
Trailblazers 6-11 year olds
Stewards 12-16 year olds
(17 & 18 year olds supported as the program evolves.)
Your Child’s Education: Supported, Strengthened, Simplified.
Non-traditional learning offers freedom, connection, and possibility, but it doesn’t mean families have to do everything alone. Renewed Roots is a full-day, instructor-led forest microschool where children spend their school day on campus through structured academics and integrated, land-based learning.
For enrollment purposes, families are connected to a homeschool designation, while daily instruction and learning are led on site by a licensed educator. Children receive consistent instruction, structure, and meaningful learning experiences throughout the school day at Renewed Roots.
Here, academics come alive through fresh air, movement, community, and real-world experiences. Children thrive. Parents breathe easier. Everyone wins.
Our Days at Renewed Roots
Renewed Roots is an instructor-led program guided by a licensed educator. Each day includes protected academic learning blocks focused on reading, writing, and mathematics, providing consistent instruction and strong foundational skills.
The remainder of the day is spent in guided outdoor learning and hands-on experiences, where science, social studies, art, physical education, and other state-required subject areas are naturally woven into forest-based projects and real-world exploration. This balanced approach allows children to meet academic expectations while learning in a way that is engaging, developmentally appropriate, and deeply connected to their environment.
Renewed Roots operates within a homeschool framework for legal purposes, while children receive daily instruction and structured learning on campus with licensed educators.
Connection • Grounding • Belonging
Each day begins by bringing the community together.
Arrival and gentle connection time
Emotional check-in and preview of the day
Preschool Arrival
Morning circle with prayer, gratitude, and intention-setting
This shared beginning helps children feel safe, oriented, and ready to engage.
Morning Gathering
Depth • Individualization • Mastery
Students engage in core academic learning through two protected academic blocks spread across the day, allowing for sustained focus without overload.
Independent Core Curriculum Focus
Individualized pacing
One-on-one support as needed
Preschool: Teacher-guided instruction and small-group support
This structure supports strong academic foundations while honoring how children learn best.
Focused Academic Block
Farm Life & Outdoor Exploration
Responsibility • Observation • Wonder
Mornings are rooted in the land itself.
Farm and animal chores
Trail walks and outdoor exploration
Seasonal science and nature study
Observation and journaling
Children learn responsibility, stewardship, and awareness through real work and meaningful interaction with their environment. This block anchors the day and is fully shared by all ages.
Regulation • Reset • Focus
A brief pause mid-morning allows children to reset before transitioning into focused learning.
Snack
Breathwork or quiet mindfulness
Reflection or intention check-in
Mindfulness & Transition
Nourishment • Play • Social Connection
Midday includes time for nourishment and unstructured outdoor play.
Group lunch
Preschool pickup
Free exploration and imaginative play
Rest and social connection
This time supports emotional health and peer relationships.
Lunch & Free Exploration
Afternoon Learning & Rotating Enrichment
Application • Creativity • Skill-Building
Afternoons are teacher-guided and intentionally structured, beginning with focused core academic reinforcement and skill-building, then flowing into hands-on enrichment.
Following core skill work, enrichment learning rotates by day: Monday mindfulness & health • Tuesday science & nature • Wednesday fine arts • Thursday practical life & engineering • Friday forest adventure & collaboration.
Together, these experiences provide targeted academic support and meaningful opportunities for students to apply learning, build confidence, and develop real-world skills.
Leadership • Care • Responsibility
Each afternoon includes time dedicated to caring for the land and community.
Animal care
Garden and trail maintenance
Tool care and practical responsibility
Students develop confidence, leadership, and a sense of purpose through service.
Steward & Service
Reflection • Gratitude • Peaceful Transition
The day ends together.
Reflection on learning and experiences
Gratitude practice
Closing prayer or intention
Children leave feeling grounded, capable, and connected.
Closing Circle
Investment Details
Yearly Tuition: 5% Discount
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8:00am-4:30pm M-F
September - May
190 Day School Year
Yearly Tuition
5% enrollment is for one school year cycle. Billed bi-weekly.
Multi-child discounts available.
Blended family schedules supported. Contact us for flexible enrollment options.
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5% Pay-in-full discount
$242.25/week equivalent
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5% Pay-in-full discount
$213.75/week equivalent
Weekly Tuition: Standard Rate
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8:00am-4:30pm M-F
September - May
190 Day School Year
Weekly Tuition is for a 30-day cycle. Billed bi-weekly. 30 day cancellation required.
Multi-child discounts available.
Blended family schedules supported. Contact us for flexible enrollment options.
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$255/week
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$225/week
Daily/Part-Time: Premium Pricing
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8:00am-4:30pm, 2-day and 3-day options available.
Open M-F, September - May
190 Day School Year
Daily Tuition is for a 30-day cycle. Billed bi-weekly. 30 day cancellation required.
Multi-child discounts not available for part-time enrollment.
Blended family schedules supported. Contact us for flexible enrollment options.
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$63.00/ day
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$53.00/ day
Renewed Roots provides structured, instructor-led learning in a full-day format guided by a licensed elementary school teacher. Students participate in protected academic blocks focused on reading, writing, and mathematics, along with daily learning experiences that integrate science, social studies, art, physical education, and hands-on learning through nature-based exploration.
For legal purposes, Renewed Roots is classified as a homeschool tutorial center. This designation allows families to retain their homeschool status while their child attends Renewed Roots for full-day, on-campus learning led by a licensed educator. Daily instruction, academic structure, and learning experiences take place on site, supporting families who are seeking a non-traditional school model with consistency and accountability.
A licensed elementary educator reviews curriculum flow and academic alignment on a monthly basis to ensure learning experiences address Minnesota and North Dakota subject expectations. Parents maintain discretion over core curriculum choices and standardized testing, while Renewed Roots provides the instructional time, structure, and integrated learning experiences that support long-term academic growth.
We provide:
Guided academic learning blocks
Daily instruction led by a licensed teacher
Integrated, land-based learning across subject areas
A consistent, supportive learning environment
Social, emotional, and spiritual community
Parents provide:
For full-time enrollment:
Required state paperwork and testing
Oversight of overall academic progress
Light at-home reinforcement such as independent reading, review, or skill practice, based on the child’s age and needs
For part-time enrollment:
Core academic instruction at home on non–Forest School days
Approximately four hours of focused learning per at-home school day
This shared approach allows children to benefit from full-day instruction and integrated learning at Renewed Roots while maintaining continuity and confidence in their education.
Together, we create a meaningful, well-rounded learning experience for children and families.
A True Partnership with Parents
Enrichment Subjects We Explore Throughout the Year
Renewed Roots offers a full spectrum of whole-child enrichment, designed to complement and deepen your child’s core academic curriculum.
See Below.
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Nature & Environmental Science
Seasonal changes, ecology, habitats, life cycles, weather, observation skills, nature journaling.
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Art & Creative Expression
Watercolors, nature crafts, mixed media, clay, handwork, music, storytelling.
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Physical Education & Outdoor Movement
Hiking, climbing, balancing, running games, motor development, outdoor challenges.
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Health, Wellness & Mindfulness
Breathwork, emotional awareness, rest rhythms, safe outdoor practices, nutrition awareness.
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Practical Life & Homestead Skills
Gardening, cooking, animal care, tools, teamwork, agriculture & stewardship of the land.
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Community, Character & Leadership
Mixed-age collaboration, communication skills, gratitude, conflict resolution, responsibility roles.
Core Curriculum
Supporting a Consistent Academic Foundation
Core Subjects & Academic Responsibility
At Renewed Roots, we partner with families seeking a non-traditional approach to education that provides structure, consistency, and meaningful learning experiences. Our program offers full-day, instructor-led learning within a nature-based environment, allowing children to engage deeply in both academics and exploration while on campus.
Children receive daily instruction through guided academic blocks, small-group learning, and integrated experiences that strengthen reading, writing, mathematics, and additional subject areas through real-world application. Learning is designed to feel connected, engaging, and grounded, supporting both academic growth and overall well-being.
To support continuity of learning, families remain engaged in their child’s education beyond the school day through light, age-appropriate reinforcement at home. This shared approach allows children to benefit from consistent, full-day instruction at Renewed Roots while maintaining a balanced and sustainable rhythm for families choosing an alternative to traditional schooling.
Unified Curriculum Resources
While families retain discretion over curriculum choices, Renewed Roots strongly encourages the use of a unified set of recommended curriculum resources for students enrolled in the program.
Using shared curriculum resources allows:
Our staff to guide instruction more effectively during academic learning blocks
Students to experience consistency and continuity across small groups
The school day to maintain a calm, predictable rhythm that supports focused learning
Families may choose to use alternative curriculum if needed or already established; however, the curriculum resources we recommend are included in full-time tuition and are the materials our staff is most familiar with and best equipped to support within the daily program.
Mathematics: Teaching Textbooks
A structured, self-paced math program that allows students to work independently while receiving clear instruction and automatic feedback. Our academic block is built to support Teaching Textbooks most efficiently.
Included value for fulltime enrollment:
Per Student Value - $46.00-$59.00/ yr, Family Cap - $216.95/ yr
Language Arts: Night Zookeeper
A creative, immersive program for reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Its flexible, story-based style works beautifully alongside our journaling, storytelling, and nature-based writing.
Included value for fulltime enrollment:
Per Student Value - $110.00-$120.00/ yr *Tentative Choice
Social Studies: Tuttle Twins Academy
An engaging exploration of civics, culture, and foundational social concepts through story-driven lessons. It provides meaningful context without heavy textbooks — perfect for guided discussion and reflective activities.
Included value for fulltime enrollment:
Per Subscription Value - $249.00/ yr
WHY WE RECOMMEND A SHARED CURRICULUM
Using a consistent curriculum set helps us:
Provide effective small-group academic support
Keep children on track during their independent work periods
Reduce frustration or confusion caused by multiple programs
Offer meaningful accountability
Ensure a smooth, peaceful academic rhythm
Uphold the quality and integrity of the enrichment experience
Families still maintain full control over homeschool goals and required state testing, while Renewed Roots supports the daily execution of academic learning.
HOW CORE CURRICULUM WORKS AT RENEWED ROOTS
During each academic block, children:
Bring their own tablet or laptop each day
Work through daily assignments
Receive gentle guidance and encouragement
Have access to small-group support
Learn within a calm, structured environment
A licensed Minnesota teacher reviews our monthly enrichment curriculum, fulfilling the state requirement for tutorial centers. Renewed Roots chooses to do Quarterly formative core curriculum testing as an additional value to parents and their students.