A MESSAGE FROM THE CO-FOUNDERS
We have been friends for over 10 years, supporting one another during our peaks and valleys. In a world where nothing is constant, our friendship remained unwavering. In spite of the success that we have had within the education system, we both experienced pressures to dissociate from our culture in order to feel welcomed in our school environment. In the Black community, these pressures are more pronounced as we continue to dismantle the residual effects of segregated schools in Ontario.
As we begin Roots to Routes Academy, we want to create a school that embodies the major principles of our friendship: compassion, intercultural understanding, and allyship. Coming from different cultural backgrounds, our friendship has been rooted in a genuine interest in learning about the various elements that impact our worldviews. We immersed ourselves in each other’s culture, religion, and families. In the process of our intercultural exchange, what we discovered is a sense of pride for our own cultures and an urgency to ensure educational equity. Learning about our cultural differences and similarities helped us grow an increased appreciation for our own cultural roots, sparking a renewed excitement to celebrate who we are and where we come from. This revelation was transformative and is the core of our motivation to creating a school. At Roots to Routes Academy, we are rooted in the belief that learning about our shared cultural history is the route to a more compassionate future. Our friendship is one of the greatest gifts we’ve received and we want to share this gift with you.
With love,
Korina Thomas-Reynolds & Ramya Selladurai

MORE THAN JUST A SCHOOL
At Roots to Routes Academy, we believe that learning exists outside of the confines of classroom walls. Education is a human right and every person deserves to have an educational experience that is meaningful, relevant, and applicable to their future aspirations. Our commitment to using education as a tool to promote cultural pride sets us apart from other schools. Global competency skills are at the forefront to ensure that today’s youth intimately understand how to interact with diverse cultures with intent and integrity. We are more than just a school because we approach education as an act of liberation where students are free to discover their paths to success.
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