About
RWA is a microschooling program serving rising 1st - 6th graders by providing a personalized student-centered approach to learning without the high price tag of private education.
The curriculum and pedagogy are rooted in current research-based practices to boost motivation, academic success, and social development.
We believe that core subjects like math and ELA are vitally important but so are those “soft skills” - like table manners, advocacy, and self-regulation. Learn more by viewing our welcome video!
Our unique mixed-age cohort allows students to work together across grade levels and engage in purposeful learning in the outdoors.
Make a purchase from our wish list or grab a super soft t-shirt to support us!
Mission Statement
Roots & Wings Academy aims to create a vibrant learning environment that nurtures the whole child through a creative nature-based approach, academic rigor, and a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning. We inspire students to take the lead in their education by investigating burning questions and solving community-based challenges.
By prioritizing wellness and incorporating hands-on, student-led learning, we prepare students to excel in an interconnected world, growing not only as self-directed learners but as compassionate, well-rounded individuals.
Focus on the Whole Child
Social-Emotional Learning: Teachers, parents, and students at RWA learn and practice core social-emotional competencies. These evidence-based skills are built upon the CASEL framework and integrated into the curriculum.
Health & Wellness: Students at RWA learn the essentials of maintaining a healthy body and mind. We work together to prepare healthy lunches and snacks and try new foods each month!
Nature: Fresh air and sunlight are essential to brain health, concentration, and mental health. Our beautiful indoor/outdoor classroom allows students to learn, sit, rest, read, cook, and play outside as often as possible. Active outdoor play including hikes, nature walks, sports, and yoga are part of our daily routine.
Motivating Students
Through Inquiry
RWA engages students in project-based inquiry to help solve real challenges in the community.
Individual Portfolio Projects: Each student works independently with age-appropriate guidance and scaffolding to explore big questions in their areas of interest related to trimester themes. For example:
- How can I become a dress designer?
- How do trees talk to each other underground?
- What makes a roller coaster work?
Whole Group Community Work: Each trimester the class works toward a solution to a community-based challenge. For example:
- How do we keep dogs from getting loose?
- How can we keep trash out of the lakes?
- How can we have more kid-focused events in town?
Academic Rigor
RWA educators support students in attaining high academic standards by fostering a safe and nurturing space that empowers them to take risks. Core Content Areas of our curriculum include those found in the NJSLS such as English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, Social Studies, and Life Skills.
What makes RWA unique is the integration of special areas like wellness, art, music, world language, technology, public speaking, photography, e-news, yoga, woodworking, penpals, and entrepreneurship.
Sample Daily Schedules
A Day
7:00-8:00 Breakfast Club
8:00-9:00 Block 1: Social Emotional Learning/Morning Circle
9:00-10:00 Block 2: English Language Arts
10:00-11:00 Block 3: Math
11:00-12:00 Block 4: Lunch/Nutrition
12:00-1:00 Block 5: Exercise/Outdoors
1:00-2:00 Block 6: Projects
2:00-4:30 Beyond the Bell Club
B Day
7:00-8:00 Breakfast Club
8:00-9:00 Block 1: Social Emotional Learning/Fitness
9:00-10:00 Block 2: English Language Arts
10:00-11:00 Block 3: Math
11:00-12:00 Block 4: Lunch/Table Manners
12:00-1:00 Block 5: Special Areas
1:00-2:00 Block 6: Science/Social Studies
2:00-4:30: Beyond the Bell Club
Students learn in outdoor spaces
more than 50% of the day.
STEM Masterminds @ RWA
Experience the thrill of hands-on exploration in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math at Roots & Wings Academy Masterminds! Dive into dynamic curricula from Generation Genius, Code.org, Makerspace, and beyond. Students embark on standards-aligned project-based learning adventures, culminating in a spectacular showcase for parents and friends. Join us to ignite your curiosity and creativity!
Sample Topics
Chemical vs. Physical Changes Coding & Sprite Lab
Edison Robotics Static Electricity
Energy Transfer Electric & Magnetic Fields
Wed & Fri
9/11/24 - 11/21/24
12:30pm-2:00pm
- Drop-off program for students ages 6 - 10
- Payment due in full by first day of class: $698 (21 classes)
- No class on 11/8/24 for NJ Teacher Convention
- Safety goggles and a smock are required
- Save the Dates: Winter trimester begins 12/4/24; Spring trimester begins 3/17/25
- Program included for all RWA full-time students
Trimester Lineup
01
02
03
Sept - Nov
Thematic Units: Growth Mindset, History of Ringwood, Hiking Safety, Fall Harvest, Native Cultures, Earth Science, Civics, Creative Writing, Gratitude & Giving
Events: Fall Student Showcase, Potluck Friendsgiving, Food Drive
Dec - March
Thematic Units: Social Responsibility, Clothing & Textiles, Space, TREPS, Gratitude and Giving,
Digital Citizenship, Geography, Poetry, Ancient Civilizations
Events: Winter Student Showcase, Holiday Gift Exchange & Party
April - June
Thematic Units: Biology (plant and animal cells), Plants & Insects, US History,
Persuasive Writing, Biomes of the World, Expository Writing
Events: Spring Student Showcase, Earth Day Celebration
Field Trips
RWA students visit local farms, parks, gardens, businesses, and
museums in NJ and NY.
Meet the Founder
Founder: Jenny Mills, M.Ed. has twenty years of experience in K-12 education across public, private, and charter schools. She is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) at the University of Virginia, and currently works in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Jenny is a certified meditation teacher with extensive experience creating mindfulness-based interventions for schools.
Jenny is an accomplished speaker, author, entrepreneur, and presenter. In 2013 she founded Roots & Wings, LLC, providing professional development in mindfulness and SEL for schools in NJ, NY, PA, RI, and even a school in India! Jenny published Roots & Wings Mindfulness Meditations followed by a children’s book Trevor’s Mindful Moments. Her recent book, Students Can’t Pay Attention and Other Lies I Believed: 16 Lessons to Build Foundational Skills and Reclaim Your Classroom is now available on Amazon.
Meet the Lead Teacher
Meet the Lead Educator
Lead Teacher: Shelby Ackerman
Lead Educator: Shelby Ackerman, a lifelong resident of Ringwood, has dedicated her career to working with children. With a B.S. from Rutgers University in Community Nutrition and coursework in Early Childhood Education at Caldwell University, Shelby has a passion for helping to nourish the whole child.
Shelby began her career as an educator, working as a preschool teacher in town. From there, Shelby continued to forge her path in education and wellness. She became the lead nutritionist at Whole Foods Market where she held nutrition classes for children and adults. Before leaving the workforce to homeschool her three children, Shelby served as an ABA Therapist in a public school where she integrated into mainstream classes to differentiate instruction.
Shelby enjoys spending long days outside, exploring and learning side by side with her children about the world around them. Creating art from nature, listening to and making music, gardening, cooking, and experimenting with new ways to make meaning are just a few of the skills she brings with her to the Roots & Wings Academy classroom.
Admissions and Investment
Families of interested rising 1st to 5th graders (ages 6-11) must apply for admission and complete a family interview. We are currently enrolling for trimester 1, beginning September 4, 2024. Families may commit to one trimester (Fall) or all (Fall/Winter/Spring). Payments can be made weekly, monthly, or in full.
Monthly Fee........................................$599
Trimester Field Trip Fee.................$100
Trimester Tech Fee............................$75
Monthly Nutrition Contribution....$45
Breakfast Club (7:00-8:00).... $10/day
Beyond the Bell Club (2:00-4:30).... $25/day
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m afraid to make the switch - how can we try this out?
A: Transitioning out of public school is bound to bring up feelings of fear and uncertainty because it is a decision against the mainstream. However, the research is clear - students thrive in small class sizes with access to nature and real-world project-based learning.
You can try out RWA for one trimester at a time. Public school will always take you back if you change your mind!
Q: Where is the school located?
A: We are in final negotiations to secure a double classroom space, cabin, and grounds use at the NEW Weis Center for Education, Arts, & Recreation: 150 Snake Den Rd., Ringwood, NJ.
Q: I love this idea but my child is too old/young for RWA. Can we still apply?
A: YES. If we have enough interest outside the grade band of rising 1st to 6th graders, we will create a second cohort.
Contact
Email Address
rootsandwingsonline@gmail.com
Phone Number
267-670-0923