Roots & Wings Community School

Roots & Wings (RWCS) has been in operation for 23 years and has consistently provided high quality multi-day outdoor experiences for children grades K-8. No student has ever been turned away for any outdoor trip and we require these trips for all students (as much as is possible). All students participate in two multi-day/night wilderness experiences each year, and more if time, money and transportation allow. Outside of these experiences, the school is very proud of their student and staff designed PE program which includes big field games where running and healthy competition abide, and where disabled students or less active students always find a role within these games. The students at RWCS ride a county bus to and from school each day. The students walk 1/3 of a mile up a beautiful student created path to and from the school each day which is great exercise, but also gives them a chance to gear up in the morning and gear down in the afternoon as they run and laugh down the hill to the bus. Lastly, as far as systems change, RWCS has students run their own Student-Led Conferences for their parents/guardians twice a year. The students have working portfolios that they add to all year. The teachers help guide the prep for the conference, but do not lead it, and so much more comes out of these presentations from students than if a teacher were simply doing the talking.