The path from a community vision to an authorized school takes years of deliberate work. Below is the real sequence of how Rooted School Cleveland is being built.
Rooted School Foundation identifies Cleveland as its next city for expansion. Research into Cleveland's economy, workforce demographics, and existing school landscape confirms strong fit with the Rooted model. Cleveland's institutional assets in healthcare and manufacturing align directly with the three founding career pathways.
The founding committee is convened. Community listening sessions begin across Cleveland neighborhoods. Future Ready Cleveland, the city's leading education-focused civic organization, is engaged as the primary philanthropic partner. Conversations with prospective community and industry partners begin.
Founding partnerships with Cleveland employers and civic organizations develop, connecting the school's career pathways directly to the local economy. Future Ready Cleveland deepens its engagement as the school's primary civic partner.
The charter application is in progress with our Ohio authorizer. We are actively building community awareness, growing our interest list, holding community events, and preparing our team and operational infrastructure for a Fall 2027 opening. This is when families should mark their interest.
Authorization is expected in late 2026, which would confirm Rooted School Cleveland as an approved public charter school in the state of Ohio and clear the path for enrollment applications to open.
Applications open for the inaugural Fall 2027 cohort. We will enroll students in 6th and 9th grades, drawn from families currently in 5th and 8th grade. Families who have marked their interest will be the first notified.
Staff are hired. Curriculum is finalized. Partnerships with Future Ready Cleveland and local employers move from planning into active preparation. The founding cohort is enrolled and families receive information about the school's schedule, pathways, and advisory model.
Rooted School Cleveland opens its doors to the founding cohort. The beginning of a 6th through 12th grade continuum that will grow one grade per year on each side until the school reaches full enrollment by 2030.
Enrollment opens in late 2026 for our inaugural Fall 2027 cohort. Families who mark interest now will be the first to know when applications go live.
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