Learn & Grow, Inside & Out

Growing Roots is an accredited, private K-12 microschool where learning is meaningful and creative.

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Who We Are

We are an accredited, K-12 nature-based microschool inspired by Charlotte Mason and Waldorf pedagogy.
We utilize multi-age groups to balance individual work with group lessons and create space for students to work grade-levels ahead or spend extra time on certain concepts.
We seek to discover our connection to the earth and each other, develop our unique and collective gifts, reach for the impossible, stand in truth, and transform the world.

The Property

Growing Roots Microschool is located on 20 beautiful acres just west of downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The children participate in caring for both plants and animals with our greenhouse, garden, fire pit, pond, chicken house, and walking trails.

The Students

Chickadees

In the tradition of Charlotte Mason, the early years at Growing Roots are spent listening to stories, learning poetry, exploring nature, gaining number sense, experiencing beautiful art, and begining to read.

By developing the habits of attention, imagination, good attitude, self-control, responsibility, quality work, courage, and service, they become established and excited learners.

Emerging Readers

Hawks

With the goal to become independent thinkers and problem solvers, Hawks experience living books in short lessons. Engagement and ownership are encouraged.

Subjects explored include geography, grammar, handwork, handwriting, history, math, narration, nature, poetry, art, science, spelling, and writing.

Fluent Readers

Bluejays

Growing in Responsibility

Exploring academic subjects in engaging ways, middle and high schoolers gain practical skills, enjoy various artistic endeavors, and social engagement.

They also participate outdoors by working with the chickens, gardens, and various building and science projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We are accredited by the Indiana Department of Education and participate in the school choice scholarship (voucher) program, minimizing the cost for families.
Rather than encourage the pursuit of grades and praise for points, we emphasize personal growth and a love of learning, while checking for understanding through narration and assessments which include empathy, cooperation, and effort, favoring a "feast of ideas" over strict, rigid academic benchmarks.
By high school we give letter grades but base these on best effort and hard work rather than inherent skill or high scores.
Instead of grade levels, we group classes by age and skill level allowing children to interact with a several-year range. Older children learn empathy toward their younger counterparts while littles glean from the example of olders.

We believe in learning through stories and action. Students engage with plenty of outdoor experiences, hands-on activities, and academic curriculums that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.
Our core principles are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We teach absolutely no doctrine and welcome and respect all faiths.
While we meet in a building on church property, we are not sponsored or affiliated with The Pointe Church or any denomination.

Meet the Team

Ms. Leena

FOUNDER / DIRECTOR

Leena began tutoring in college which led her to major in Middle School Math education, ultimately completing a Bachelor of Science in English Literature.
While she homeschooled her daughters, she tutored and taught in a variety of educational settings.
Ms Tessa

LANGUAGE ARTS, PSYCHOLOGY

Tessa is passionate about children and education. Having been homeschooled, she values small group learning and individualized pacing.
She aims to create a classroom where every child has a voice and the support they need to thrive.
Ms. Erica

HAWKS, THEATRE, SCIENCE

Erica is a nature lover on a mission to visit every Indiana state park. With a background in early childhood education and homeschooling, she encourages others to become ecoliterate.
She believes that when children learn to love nature, they grow into adults who protect it.
Ms. Audrey

CHICKADEES, ART, PERMACULTURE

Audrey has spent 14 years on a permaculture farm, including 12 years homeschooling her children in a nature-centered rhythm. She’s also joined mission trips to share sustainable practices globally.
She encourages students to trust themselves, move with patience and joy, and see the value in both nature and themselves.
Mr. Maarten

BLUEJAYS, MATH, ROBOTICS, BUILDING
You wouldn’t know that Maarten grew up in the Netherlands, but his world travel and European roots give him a fantastic foundation from which to teach.
Passionate about math and science, he encourages every student to find the wonder in numbers and empirical study,
Ms. Andrea

OUTDOOR STUDIES
Andrea is passionate about education and the natural world. She believes young children learn best through curiosity, hands-on experiences, and meaningful connections.
She creates a classroom where students feel inspired, engaged, and connected through nature-based learning.
Ms. Barbara

ADMIN, NEEDLECRAFT
Barbara brings decades of experience supporting children, families, and educators with compassion and care.
With a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education, 50+ years in children’s ministry, and 47 years of administrative support experience, she helps create organized, nurturing environments where students feel safe, valued, and encouraged to grow.