Dear D.R.A. Family,

As we reflect on the 2016-2017 school year, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your help, support and interest this year.  We have had another very busy and successful year in school and you, as partners in the education of your children, deserve much of the credit for that.  We are very fortunate to have a number of people who work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that our school is able to do its best for your children.   These individuals give their time, energy and enthusiasm, often working unseen, unnoticed, above and beyond what is asked of them and to them we say thank you. Please join me in acknowledging and celebrating the many wonderful learning experiences and educational opportunities that have taken place for our students at Deeper Root Academy, in the classrooms and in very creative and innovative ways.  The tremendous effort of the staff and parents this year make DRA a wonderful and special learning environment.     
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As we plan for the next school year, I want you to know that it is my deep belief that the hallmark of a great school is to continuously work to improve learning for each and every child.  As the leader of Deeper Root Academy, I see this as my most important responsibility and I take it very seriously.  Therefore, creating strong and effective teacher teams at each grade level each year is a top priority for me as I work to ensure positive and effective teacher collaboration on behalf of children’s learning.  As a staff, we will remain committed to the nurturing of each child as an individual and assist them in discovering their God given talents and abilities, while ensuring that they grow in the knowledge of God and His character. 

Summer is a very special time for children and is the source of many happy memories.  It is also critical that your children remain academically engaged during these months to prevent summer loss.  I invite you to attend our free workshops during the summer and I look forward to seeing you all in August.
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Angela Kennedy​

​As an educator for Orange County Public Schools for 13 years, I saw too many children falling through the cracks and becoming left behind. As a result of this sad occurrence of events and of my resolve to no longer stand idle, I decided to establish Deeper Root Academy.
 
D.R.A.’s genesis began in my home with three students – a modern version of the one-room school house. In less than three years, D.R.A. continues to blossom into a sanctuary nurturing 78 students from Pre-K-8 within its branches. Within D.R.A.’s boughs, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, a school choice program for low-income students, provides funding to 36 students.
 
At Deeper Root, our classes are made smaller in an effort to give students more individualized attention. We are not bound by state-mandated restrictions nor do we follow cookie-cutter models. As a result, we don’t funnel kids down the same path. Instead, we recognize that as all student are different, they also learn differently. We focus on building relationships … deepening roots. Attention to the student and encouragement are sown and trust is abundantly reaped. Once a child trusts, they learn. Once they taste success, they become both empowered and unstoppable.
 
A faith-based atmosphere at Deeper Root is also a part of the Deeper Root difference. I chose to start a private school rather than a public charter school because I wanted my students to learn Biblical principles that I either found watered down or altogether missing from the public sector. These principles are vital as it’s important that our children become good citizens … to know what it means to be trustworthy, respectful, and responsible. It’s important that our students are not just taught but they are shown. Our students know our slogan: “Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much, unless you do what’s right.”
 
Many of the students at D.R.A. arrived at least one grade level behind in the public
 schools. Now, they are budding with confidence and achievement; these students are succeeding.
 
Despite the rich environment into which these students have been planted, these tender shoots have recently come under risk ... the risk of a harsh sun and an unrelenting wind. This change in environment comes in the form of a lawsuit.
 
The ability of the parent to enroll their child in a school of their choice, one that benefits the child, could be taken away because of this lawsuit. A lawsuit that is still unknown by many.
 
Two years ago, the Florida teachers union, the NAACP and others filed the suit against the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. The first two courts that heard the case dismissed it, stating the plaintiffs could not prove their claims of harm to public schools. But the union continues to appeal, most recently to the Florida Supreme Court. The scholarship parents who are defending the program filed their response last week.
 
The stakes could not be higher. The scholarship program is serving 95,000 students statewide with 9,000 residing in Orange County. Greater than 70 percent of these students are minorities with an average family income of $24,000 annually. Test scores revealed that the typical scholarship student was struggling in his or her prior school but is now making steady progress. In other words, the scholarship has been an opportunity for disadvantaged children, a light at the end of tunnel, and a welcomed sunrise to a long and dark night. These students are making the most of this gift.
 
So many of our students were discouraged with their previous learning environment. So were their parents. The system wasn’t working for them. They were failing, acting out, and distancing themselves from that which appeared unattainable. If the pattern were to continue, many of these students would be destined to become another statistic of the public school sys-tem … dropouts.
 
My wish is for the teachers union and NAACP to do what is right for the children, for our future. The lawsuit is unfair and misguided, possessing the potential to devastate many lives. It could also be a precedent to ending other programs that focus on providing services to our most vulnerable students.
 
Thirteen students at Deeper Root Academy use state scholarship funds purposed for students with disabilities. There is nothing to stop the opponents of tax credit scholarships from targeting these programs next. They could also go after VPK, which similarly allows parents to send their children to private schools. Although we don’t have VPK students, I know many schools that do, and many parents who depend on those scholarships.
 
The opposition’s main argument is that the tax credit scholarship is draining money from public schools. This claim is unsubstantiated as multiple studies show the contrary. So what is this really about?
 
I believe it’s about politics and about misplaced values. It should be about the children. Maybe the best learning environment for a particular child is a public school. Maybe it is a private school. What does it matter? What matters is whether the child is learning and succeeding.
 
Please, let’s get back to what matters.
 
Dr. Angela Kennedy is founder and CEO of Deeper Root Academy.

​See Dr. Kennedy's Original Guest Column in the link below. 

On Tuesday we saw our students dressed as career professionals! We saw aspirations of future police officers, artists, sports professionals, bakers, teachers, astronauts, business owners and even a paleontologist!

Wednesday was wonderful! Students received their second quarter awards and we were very excited to have been visited by a special guest…Police Officer Henry! Our guest speaker inspired the children to continue to do their best and reminded them how fortunate they were to be at Deeper Root Academy! The children were so excited and got to have a question and answer session with him as well. Thank you so much Officer Henry!

But our celebration didn’t end Friday………Saturday was DRA Family Bowling Day! It was wonderful to see students, parents, teachers and friends come together for some family fun!

What can I say about this 2014-2015 school year?  It was simply AMAZING!  My heart is filled with so much joy and pride in the wonderful students and families we have had the opportunity to serve.  I LOVE MY DRA FAMILY!  Our students have surpassed both state and national grade level expectations and there is no limit to the academic success and character growth that will continue here at Deeper Root Academy.  We are truly developing learning connections that are grounded in SUCCESS!  I want to thank our parents who are our #1 Fans!  You have spread the word and we are now preparing for our expansion and growth.  We will more than double in students next year because of YOU!  I want to also thank our AWESOME teachers and staff for your unwavering commitment and professionalism that you display everyday.  You make our school a wonderful place to learn and grow!  This vision is my heart and the students, families, and teachers give me the strength and courage to continue to serve you with excellence.  I am excited about our future because the best is yet to come!

Sincerely,
Dr. Angela Kennedy

View the slideshow below to see just some of the amazing things our students have accomplished this year...

Deeper Root Academy's First Annual Christmas Program was a success! 

It was an awesome display of our students' learning and musical talents.  We had so many families and friends to share in this wonderful occasion!  Deeper Root Academy is definitely a place where children will learn, grow, and become grounded in God's love and plan for their lives.  We are grateful and truly understand the real meaning of Christmas! 

You don't want to miss out on this one of a kind educational experience for your children.  Enroll today and become apart of our growing family!