Friday BRANCH Program
Build confidence, Discover lasting interests, & Develop life skills
As part of our commitment to educating the whole child, we offer a rotating range of extracurricular activities through our Friday BRANCH program. Classes run in six-week rotations or over the full year, giving students opportunities to try something new, have fun, and pursue interests alongside friends, and in some cases, family members too.
This energetic and varied program builds confidence through physical, intellectual, and service-based experiences. We make the most of our beautiful natural setting and invite local masters of their crafts to share their skills and inspire our learners.
While optional for our enrolled children, we view these classes as a vital part of holistic development. Research shows that experiences like these support social skills, teamwork, perseverance, executive function, and overall well-being. Through BRANCH, children build confidence, discover lasting interests, and develop life skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
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Wilderness, Immersion, Leadership & Development
Outdoors Exploration and Recreation
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Pathway Classes would be for children who would like to dedicate more of a long-term commitment to a progressive structure of classes to growth and refine this area of interest. Some of these would be offered for a fee charged by the professional Instructor such as Orchestra.
Culinary Arts
Engineering
Fine arts
Fiber arts
Musical and theatrical
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These are non-competing sports, but rather learning and developing skills in recreational sports.
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Reading clubs for different levels and ages.
How the Program Works
Structure
The BRANCH program is structured similarly to a college experience allowing the freedom to choose how many classes to participate in, when, and what.
Student Choice: Each semester, the child, along with families, can browse a list of options and select the classes that ignite their interest.
Flexible Timing: Classes are held at different times throughout the day and in various locations based on the type of class—the school campus, homes, or outdoor nature trails.
Varying Lengths: Some class or club commitments are short and sweet, while others require deep dedication:
Unit Blocks: 4–6 weeks: Great for trying something new.
Semester-Long: For deeper skill building.
Year-Long: For mastery and long-term projects.
The 4-Tier System
To ensure we can offer a wide variety of high-quality experiences from casual meetups to mastery training, our classes are divided into four tiers.
The tier determines the cost, based on whether the class is led by a volunteer or a paid professional, the cost of supplies, and the duration of the meeting times.
Tier 1: These classes are FREE for all children enrolled at Rooted Meadows or registered in our co-enrollment Homeschool program. They are often volunteer-led or low-resource need clubs that focus on connection and community such as book clubs.
Tier 2: These classes will have a small fee to cover supplies.
Tiers 3 & 4: These involve varying fees to cover professional instruction, specialized equipment, or premium supplies.
Homeschool BRANCH Program Co-enrollment
Enrichment for Homeschool Families in Waldorf Education. Apply to Join us!
We would like to invite homeschool families who are striving to incorporate Waldorf principles and methods in their learning experience and home, to participate in our Friday BRANCH Program.
This program offers children a chance to explore their interests, connect with peers, and experience the warmth and rhythm of our school.
When you register in our Friday BRANCH program, we warmly welcome your family into our school community and would love to enjoy your participation in all of our School Festivals, seminars, and forums.
All families that are part of the school community are expected to volunteer time, efforts, and resources to help create these magical memories during the festivals and the Branch program.
Volunteer signups are sent out at the beginning of each semester. We greatly appreciate everyone coming together to make this supportive and united community possible through their service.
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You will need to fill out the BRANCH program application to enjoy the offerings.
Things to know:
There is a $25 Application fee
During registration families will be responsible for paying the $300 registration and supply fee
Families will choose the classes they want at the beginning of the semester.
Fees associated with the tier 3 and 4 classes will be collected each semester when families register for the classes.
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After being approved for the program, you will Receive the Rooted Meadows Family handbook and contract. You must review these documents in full and sign them indicating that you agree to abide by the school policies as part of the program.
The Science of Thriving
Participating in extracurriculars is necessary for a developing brain to thrive. Research consistently shows that when children and teens pursue interests and hobbies they love, the benefits ripple out into every area of their lives.
Boosting Brain Power: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students who participate in extracurricular activities have higher GPAs, better attendance, and higher educational aspirations than those who do not.
Mental Health Anchor: A study published in Pediatrics found that participation in organized activities is associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression in adolescents. Hobbies provide a "flow state"—a mental break that reduces stress and builds resilience.
Social Confidence: Trying new things in a group setting builds "soft skills" like teamwork, empathy, and communication. Data suggests that students involved in clubs and service feel a greater sense of belonging and school and community connection.
