A vibrant pink peony flower in full bloom surrounded by green leaves in a garden.

A Letter to Prospective Families

Thank you for your interest in the Barn School and in Rooted Learning. I want to take a moment to clearly explain the structure of our program—both philosophically and legally—so that you can make an informed decision for your family.

The Barn School is not a private school. Instead, it operates as an educational resource center designed to support families who have chosen to homeschool their children. This distinction is important under New York State law, and I want to be transparent about what that means for you as a parent.

According to the New York State Education Department (NYSED), a nonpublic (private) school is an institution that provides instruction as the primary entity responsible for a student’s education and is subject to state oversight to ensure it offers instruction that is “substantially equivalent” to that of public schools.

In contrast, home instruction (homeschooling) is defined by NYSED as education provided by a parent or guardian, who assumes full responsibility for submitting required documentation to the local school district. This includes filing a Notice of Intent, an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), quarterly reports, and an annual assessment.

A homeschool resource center, like the Barn School, is not formally defined as a separate legal category by NYSED, but is understood to be a program or facility that supports homeschooling families by offering enrichment, instruction, or guidance—while the legal responsibility for education remains with the parent.

You can review the official New York State requirements here, and find a link to the local TST Boces site:

What This Means for Your Family

As a homeschooling parent in New York State, you remain legally responsible for:

  • Filing all required paperwork with your school district

  • Tracking instructional hours

  • Submitting quarterly reports and annual assessments

I want to be very clear: I will not file paperwork on your behalf. That responsibility remains with each family.

However, you will not be navigating this process alone.

How I Support You

I earned an initial teaching certification in New York State for secondary level biology and have extensive experience working within state standards, curricula, and reporting systems. In addition, I homeschooled my own children during the pandemic and personally navigated the homeschooling process, including the paperwork and reporting requirements.

Because of this, I can:

  • Guide you through understanding and completing NYS homeschooling paperwork

  • Help you interpret state standards and expectations

  • Answer questions and provide clarity throughout the year

What Your Child Will Receive

At the Barn School, each child is treated as an individual learner.

I will develop a personalized educational plan for every student, designed to:

  • Meet them where they are academically and developmentally

  • Build on their strengths and interests

  • Support growth within their Zone of Proximal Development

  • Progress them toward New York State grade-level standards

Each student will spend individual time with me so I can understand:

  • Their strengths and challenges

  • Their curiosities and passions

  • Their learning style and personality

  • Their interests, hobbies, and goals

This allows me to design an educational experience that is both meaningful and appropriately challenging.

Progress and Reporting

You will receive quarterly narrative evaluations that:

  • Describe your child’s growth and development

  • Highlight strengths, progress, and areas of focus

  • Provide estimated time spent across required subject areas

These reports are designed to make your state reporting process easier while giving you a clear, holistic understanding of your child’s learning journey.

In Summary

The Barn School is:

  • A homeschool support and enrichment program

  • A resource for navigating New York State requirements

  • A place for individualized, experiential, and nature-based learning

The Barn School is not:

  • A private or state-registered school

  • A program that assumes legal responsibility for your child’s education

  • A service that files homeschooling paperwork on your behalf

My goal is to partner with families—to support you, guide you, and provide a rich educational environment for your children—while honoring your role as the primary educator under New York State law.

If this model resonates with you, I would be honored to work alongside your family.

Warmly,
Nicole Fox
Founder, Rooted Learning

The Barn School at Silver Queen Farm