2026 School Year Update
There’s a certain kind of vulnerability that comes with building something from the ground up.
Not just dreaming it up. Not just planning it. But truly building it—with your own hands, your own resources, your own time, your own prayers.
And sometimes, building takes longer than you expected.
Over the last year, I have shared pieces of the vision behind Rooted Educational Cooperative—this dream of creating a learning environment where children are known deeply, where education feels meaningful and connected, where wonder and wisdom have room to grow side by side. A place rooted in faith, family, nature, and intentional learning.
Part of that vision has always included creating a home base for REC right here on my family farm. As many of you know, we sold our house, moved into a camper, and began the process of building not only a new home for our family, but classroom space that would eventually host REC students.
It has been exciting— rewarding—challenging—and, if I am being completely honest, far more complicated than I anticipated.
I know construction projects rarely move in perfectly straight lines, and they never seem to operate on my timeline.
And as a result, after much prayer and consideration, we have officially made the difficult decision to delay the official launch of Rooted Educational Cooperative until August 2027.
That sentence was not easy to write.
When you care deeply about something, delaying it can feel a little like failure at first glance. But the longer I sit with this decision, the more I realize it is actually the opposite.
Because rushing something foundational simply to meet a timeline is rarely wise.
REC was never meant to be hurried into existence. It was meant to be built carefully. Intentionally. Thoughtfully. Brick by brick—both literally and figuratively.
We could force doors open before the space is ready. We could scramble to “make it work.” But that is not the kind of foundation we want to build this school upon.
Instead, we are choosing patience. We are choosing sustainability over speed. Long-term vision over short-term urgency.
And honestly? There is something fitting about that.
So much of what REC stands for centers around slow, meaningful growth. Deep roots do not develop overnight. Strong foundations take time. The most worthwhile things often do.
Right now, our days are filled with muddy boots, building plans, changing timelines, and lots of trust in the middle of uncertainty. But woven through all of it is a steady confidence that this calling has not changed—only the timeline has.
And maybe that is a lesson worth remembering in education, in parenting, and in life in general: Delayed does not mean abandoned or failed. Sometimes it simply means there is more work being done beneath the surface before the doors officially open.
But while the official launch of REC is being delayed, we are incredibly excited to share that we will still be offering something special during the 2026–27 school year.
Beginning this fall, REC will host a monthly field trip series open to any families who would like to participate. These field trips will be designed for students in kindergarten through 5th grade and will include hands-on learning experiences connected to meaningful academic content and exploration.
Each field trip will include:
A lesson aligned to appropriate academic standards
Interactive, place-based learning experiences
Follow-up lessons and activities families can complete together at home
Opportunities for connection, curiosity, and community
In many ways, it feels like the perfect extension of what REC has always hoped to create—learning that stretches beyond four walls and invites families into the process alongside their children.
We may not have classrooms ready yet, but learning is still happening. Community is still growing. And the vision is still moving forward—just in a different form for this season.
If you are interested in learning more about the 2026–27 REC “In the Field” Series, please email for additional information.
We will continue sharing updates as progress continues—and hopefully, by August 2027, we will be welcoming students into spaces built with incredible intention, purpose, and love.
Until then, we keep building— with grace and grit—
Kehla
