New Roots Charter School welcomed its first middle school students this fall after getting state approval to expand, according to The Ithaca Voice. The Montessori-inspired school now serves grades 6–12, with 50 middle schoolers in mixed-age classrooms. The expansion follows years of regulatory challenges and aims to boost enrollment and academic continuity. Demand has been strong, with a waitlist already in place. The school hopes to grow the program further in year two.