Rooted School began in 2014. First, as a 15-student pilot in New Orleans. Inspired by the growth of living-wage jobs in the region, his experiences teaching in Central City, and growing up living paycheck-to-paycheck, Jonathan Johnson believed there was more that could be done to lift those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder up in their lifetime.

Six years, four states later, Rooted School is widely recognized as one of the most innovative public school models in the U.S.

Core to its educational model and belief is that youth are a vastly underutilized talent source in our communities. And, with the right training, high expectations, and a deep sense of possibility the U.S. can leverage teenagers’ talents to meet its increasingly changing workforce demands.

We know the journey won’t be easy. Many will say we can’t do it. We hope that you’ll join us anyway.