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Very Good

#1566 of 4,739 schools in NY

Top 33% in state

New Roots Charter School

High School · NEW ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL

PO BOX 936, Ithaca, NY 14851

Charter

Enrollment

108

Student-Teacher

7.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ithaca

#7 of 13

public schools

New York high schools

#399 of 1,160

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About New Roots Charter School

New Roots Charter School serves 108 high school students in grades 9-12 in Ithaca, New York, offering an intimate educational environment with a remarkable 7.2:1 student-teacher ratio. This small charter school has achieved exceptional academic results, earning an 8.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #151 out of 4,758 schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 90% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 82% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts.

With just 15 full-time equivalent teachers serving the entire student body, New Roots provides highly personalized attention that appears to translate into strong student outcomes. As a charter school, New Roots likely offers specialized programming or teaching approaches that distinguish it from traditional public schools, though the specific focus isn't detailed in available information. The small enrollment creates a close-knit community where students can receive individualized support and build strong relationships with both peers and faculty.

New Roots Charter School operates in Ithaca, a vibrant small city known for its educational institutions and progressive community atmosphere, providing students with both academic excellence and exposure to a culturally rich environment.

What's said publicly about New Roots Charter School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

New Roots Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school located in downtown Ithaca, New York 1 . Established in 2009 by the State University of New York, the institution serves students in grades 6-12 who are residents of New York State 1 . The school emphasizes a small-class environment designed for personalized education through project-based and community-based learning 1 . Its academic program focuses on real-world engagement, requiring students to earn college credits and complete internships to develop career skills 1 . Graduates receive a Regents diploma and create a graduation portfolio demonstrating mastery of all 28 New York State Learning Standards 1 . The school's mission is to prepare a diverse student body for citizenship, work, and lifelong learning by integrating sustainability education with educational equity practices 1 . The vision statement highlights empowering students as citizens and entrepreneurs who contribute to democratic communities and green economies 1 . Governance includes student participation through a Student Council, and the school culture aims to be inclusive and welcoming 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.newrootsschool.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 108 students, New Roots Charter School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.2:1, New Roots Charter School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

New Roots Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90%
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+32.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,008

New Roots Charter School — Students at New Roots Charter School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 90.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 82.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
90%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
90%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.

How New Roots Charter School Compares

See how New Roots Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in NY
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO BOX 936, Ithaca, NY 14851

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Roots Charter School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ITHACA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LEHMAN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LANSING HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Lansing), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ithaca, see our Ithaca schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.5 mi
School Distance Rating
BEVERLY J MARTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca 0.2 mi 5.4
SOUTH HILL SCHOOL Ithaca 0.5 mi 8.1
FALL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca 0.8 mi 4.4
ITHACA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Ithaca 1.0 mi 8.0
CASCADILLA SCHOOL Ithaca 0.8 mi
LEHMAN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL Ithaca 1.0 mi 7.4
BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca 1.4 mi 4.8
BELLE SHERMAN SCHOOL Ithaca 1.1 mi 7.6
CAYUGA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ithaca 1.9 mi 8.4
EAC MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ithaca 2.2 mi 6.4
NORTHEAST SCHOOL Ithaca 2.8 mi 7.2
DEWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca 2.9 mi 5.8
TOMPKINS-SENECA-TIOGA BOCES Ithaca 3.0 mi 7.0
ITHACA WALDORF SCHOOL Ithaca 3.4 mi 6.5
NAMASTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ithaca 5.1 mi 6.3
FINGER LAKES RESIDENTIAL CENTER Lansing 7.4 mi
RAYMOND C BUCKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lansing 7.4 mi 5.9
LANSING HIGH SCHOOL Lansing 7.4 mi 5.8
LANSING MIDDLE SCHOOL Lansing 7.4 mi 6.2
NEWFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL Newfield 7.5 mi 4.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ACADEMY SCHOOL Buffalo, NY 7.1
CONGREGATION YMH Far Rockaway, NY 7.1
JASPER-TROUPSBURG JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Greenwood, NY 7.1
ST GEORGE ACADEMY New York, NY 7.1
URBAN ASSEMBLY SCHOOL FOR MUSIC AND ART Brooklyn, NY 7.1
MESIVTA YESODEI YESHURUN Flushing, NY 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Roots Charter School

What grades does New Roots Charter School serve?

New Roots Charter School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend New Roots Charter School?

New Roots Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Roots Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at New Roots Charter School is 7.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does New Roots Charter School rank in NY?

New Roots Charter School is ranked #1566 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is New Roots Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

New Roots Charter School has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at New Roots Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Roots Charter School has 90.0% math proficiency and 82.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New Roots Charter School a charter school?

Yes, New Roots Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is New Roots Charter School a Title I school?

No, New Roots Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Roots Charter School?

52.8% of students at New Roots Charter School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
97 Walker's Paradise
Bike Score
91 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (3,421/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ithaca). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Tompkins County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

NEW ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL
District Enrollment
108
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,462
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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