At Deep Roots Charter School, we believe every child is growing toward a greater purpose.
Grounded in our values of Practice, Service, and Purpose, we nurture students in Grades K–6 to become disciplined learners who are empowered to grow and serve in their community, in college, and beyond. 

Deep Roots is a citywide enrollment public charter school open to all Philadelphia residents. Through joyful classrooms and a strong sense of community, our students practice persistence, serve others meaningfully, and learn with intention. We prepare each child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, and we honor the unique potential they bring to the world. 

Applying to Deep Roots through Apply Philly Charter is easy and takes about five minutes to complete. If you are looking for a school that sees your child’s strengths, challenges them to grow, and partners with families to help them flourish, Deep Roots is ready to welcome you! 

Apply for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year through Apply Philly Charter. 

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit Your Application 

  • You may apply to up to 15 charter schools, including Deep Roots. 
  • Rank your schools in order of preference. 

💡 The Apply Philly system gives your child their highest-ranked school with available seats, so ranking Deep Roots higher increases your chance of receiving an offer from us. 

What do I need to apply? 

When completing your application through Apply Philly Charter, you’ll need a few key details about the parent or guardian and the student. 

Parent/Guardian Information 

  • Name 
  • Email address 
  • Home address 

Student Information 

  • Date of birth 
  • Current school and grade 
  • Grade applying for in the 2026-2027 school year 

You do not need to upload any documents to submit your initial application. Once your child is offered a seat, you’ll provide additional documentation directly to Deep Roots along with the enrollment packet to complete enrollment. 

Step 2: Indicate Sibling Enrollment 

If your child has a sibling currently attending Deep Roots, make sure to select “Sibling Attends“ on your Apply Philly Charter application. 

Siblings receive priority in our lottery, and this information must be included for your child to qualify for that preference. 

Step 3: Submit Your Application 

You can edit or reorder your rankings until January 20, 2026. Families will receive results through Apply Philly Charter on February 6, 2026 and have until February 20, 2026 to accept their offer. 

Step 4: Complete Deep Roots Enrollment Packet 

After the offer is accepted in Apply Philly Charter, Deep Roots will contact you to complete your enrollment packet and provide supporting documentation. 

Why Families Choose Deep Roots 

At Deep Roots Charter School, we believe that meaningful growth happens when students are surrounded by purpose, belonging, and joy. Families choose Deep Roots because we provide a learning experience that is both academically strong and deeply human. 

Purposeful Learning 

Learning at Deep Roots is intentional, with every lesson connected to a greater purpose. We help students discover their talents and use them to make a difference in the world around them. Service learning is woven into the curriculum, not treated as a special event, so students learn early on that they have the power to contribute and lead. 

Whole-Child Support 

We care about more than grades. Our teachers and staff support each child's academic, social, and emotional growth with love, structure, and encouragement. Joy, recognition, and belonging are built into every school day so students feel confident and motivated to learn. 

Belonging and Joy 

We create a school environment where every student feels safe, valued, and celebrated. Through consistent routines, meaningful relationships, and uplifting experiences, students experience school as a place where they truly belong. Joy is not an add-on, it is a natural part of learning and daily life at Deep Roots. 

Personalized Attention 

Every child receives the support they need to grow. Our dedicated instructional leaders adjust teaching to meet each student's pace and potential. We invest deeply in early literacy, strong relationships, and high expectations so every learner has the tools to succeed. 

Rooted in Community 

Our school is a vibrant part of our neighborhood and the city of Philadelphia. We build strong partnerships with local organizations and encourage students to take pride in where they live. Through real-world experiences, students develop a sense of connection, responsibility, and service that extends far beyond the classroom. 

Letting Children Be Children 

At Deep Roots, students grow academically while still experiencing the joy and freedom of childhood. We create space for fun, imagination, and celebration so learning feels exciting and full of life. From Fun Fridays to dance-offs and popsicle parties, we believe school should be a place where children feel happy, safe, and free to be themselves. 

When you make Deep Roots your top choice, you are choosing a school that grows with your child, celebrates who they are, and helps them become who they are meant to be. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A: No. Deep Roots Charter School is tuition-free and open to all Philadelphia residents. Like all public schools, we are funded by taxpayer dollars, which means there is no cost to apply or attend. Every child has access to a high-quality education at Deep Roots without tuition or fees.

A: Yes. Any Pennsylvania resident may apply, but Philadelphia residents are given priority in the lottery. While we are proud to serve our community, families from across the city choose Deep Roots for its strong academics, inclusive culture, and joyful environment.

A: Apply Philly Charter is the citywide online system used to apply to most Philadelphia public charter schools. Families complete one application, rank their preferred schools, and receive offers based on their preferences. 

A: A charter school is a public school that operates independently under a performance agreement, giving flexibility in programs and teaching methods while maintaining accountability for results. 

A: No. If your child is already enrolled and returning next year, you will complete re-enrollment paperwork directly with Deep Roots, not through Apply Philly Charter. 

A: Yes. Any Pennsylvania resident may apply, but Philadelphia residents are given priority in the lottery. While we are proud to serve our community, families from across the city choose Deep Roots for its strong academics, inclusive culture, and joyful environment. 

A: If more students apply than there are seats, a random lottery determines placement. The Apply Philly system matches each student to their highest-ranked school that can offer a seat, taking into account priorities like sibling status. 

A: Your child will remain on the waitlist for any schools ranked above the one they were offered. Waitlist offers may be extended as seats become available through the spring or summer. 

A: No. Families must reapply each year through Apply Philly Charter. 

A: Yes. Deep Roots is an inclusive community that supports all learners. 

A: No. Applying to Deep Roots through Apply Philly Charter is completely free. 

Additional Information

Age Requirements:

  • Kindergarten: The child must be age 5 on or before September 1.
  • First Grade: The child must be age 6 on or before September 1.

You may submit an online application at applyphillycharter.org, or visit us at 2830 N American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133 to receive assistance in completing the application. Additional assistance is provided by calling 1-800-891-3999. Admission is open to all appropriately aged children who reside in Philadelphia.

If more applications are received than there are seats available, the school will hold a randomized lottery to determine which applicants are offered a seat for enrollment. All applications submitted within the application window will be referred to the lottery, assuming an application is not a duplicate submission and is otherwise eligible to attend the school.

Please watch school communications for scheduling of the lottery. Priority will be given to applicants with siblings, followed by applicants who live in our catchment zip codes. The lottery will be conducted by the school on the Apply Philly Charter system.

Upon application submission, each applicant is automatically assigned a random lottery number. When the lottery is run, it will take the following into account: first, the priority group an applicant falls into, and, second, the applicant’s random lottery number. Seats will first be offered to applicants who fall into the first priority group in order of lowest random lottery number to highest. The lottery will then offer seats to applicants in the second, third, etc. priority groups in order of random lottery numbers until the number of available seats has been exhausted. Applicants not offered a seat through the lottery will be waitlisted in order of their priority group first, and their random lottery number second.

Applicants who were offered a seat through the lottery will be notified via email through Apply Philly Charter. Applicants who were offered a seat through the lottery will have until the date noted in the offer, to accept their seat offer on Apply Philly Charter by clicking “accept” in their Apply Philly Charter accounts. Offers will expire after 11:59 PM if no action has been taken on them. Families will now only have 14 days to accept or decline an offer in Apply Philly Charter.

School office staff will contact applicants regarding the next steps and required paperwork to complete enrollment. Applicants will be required to submit all enrollment paperwork to the school by the date noted on the enroll paperwork. Enrollment paperwork will not be collected through Apply Philly Charter.

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