Deeply Rooted FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT DEEPLY ROOTED
Q: Is Deeply Rooted part of True North?
A: Yes. Deeply Rooted began as a Biblical Christian homeschool co-op and has since grown into a Biblical discipleship community focused on helping families become deeply rooted in Christ, God’s Word, authentic Christian relationships, and community. We are deeply focused on God’s Word and the gifts and work of the Holy Spirit, with an emphasis on raising up the next generation to know Christ, know what they believe, understand why they believe it, and confidently live out their faith. Deeply Rooted is a ministry of True North and is open to both True North Members and Non-Members.
Q: Is Deeply Rooted new?
A: Yes and no! Deeply Rooted launched in 2024–2025, originally beginning as a Biblical Christian homeschool co-op in the Denver Metro area. For the 2026–2027 school year, we are launching a new version of Deeply Rooted centered specifically around discipleship, relationships, and Christian community rather than academic co-op classes. Our primary All Community Gathering has moved to the Colorado Springs area. Because this is the inaugural year for this new Deeply Rooted model, some of the specific rhythms, local groups, leadership roles, studies, and activities will continue to develop as the community grows. We’re intentionally continuing to build this together from the ground up—creating a community that responds to the needs of the families God brings together rather than simply recreating a traditional homeschool co-op.
Q: Is Deeply Rooted still academic?
A: No. Deeply Rooted no longer functions as a traditional academic co-op with weekly classes. Instead, we are focusing on Biblical discipleship, spiritual formation, relationships, and family community. Deeply Rooted is designed to enhance—not replace—the discipleship already happening within your family and local church.
Q: What does Deeply Rooted cost?
A: There is no participation fee for Deeply Rooted, and the community is open to both True North Members and Non-Members. We incorporate voluntary offerings into our Community Gatherings as an opportunity for students to practice generosity as part of their spiritual formation. Offerings help support Deeply Rooted, with a portion given to our host church in gratitude for providing our gathering space. Occasional costs may apply for books or Bible studies, fellowship activities, outings, food, field trips, or other “Beyond” opportunities. True North Membership and the Adventure Pass are separate offerings and are not required to participate in Deeply Rooted.
Q: What ages participate?
A: Our primary Community Gathering age range is 3rd–12th grade, with students grouped by age when appropriate. Our age-specific groups include: Tweens: Ages 9–12 and Teens: Ages 13–18. Younger siblings are welcome to attend with their families! We simply ask that parents step out with younger children if they become disruptive during worship, teaching, prayer, or small-group time.
COMMUNITY GATHERINGS & DISCIPLESHIP
Q: What is the schedule for the school year?
A: Deeply Rooted meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from September through April. See our 2026-2027 Deeply Rooted Calendar for specific dates. We also host additional fellowship, service, family, Tween, Teen, and community opportunities throughout the summer and school year through our “Beyond” Rhythms.
1st Thursday — All Community Gathering
9:30–11:30am
The Road Church | Colorado Springs3rd Thursday — Local Small Groups / Bible Studies
9:30–11:30am
Various Southern Colorado, Denver Metro, and Northern Colorado locations as local communities develop
Q: What happens during the 1st Thursday All Community Gathering?
A: The 1st Thursday of each month is our larger All Community Gathering, where Deeply Rooted families from across our broader geographic community—including Southern Colorado, Denver Metro, Northern Colorado, and surrounding areas—are invited to come together. Our gatherings are intentionally centered around Christ, community, and discipleship rather than academics. A typical two-hour gathering includes approximately:
30 minutes — Praise & Worship
30 minutes — Teaching & Discussion
Centered around Scripture, discipleship, biblical worldview, apologetics, and practical application30 minutes — Small Group Breakouts
Age-appropriate opportunities for deeper discussion and connection30 minutes — Prayer, Fellowship & Relational Connection
Teaching and discussion may be parent- or student-led with parent guidance and supervision. As our community grows, we want students to have meaningful opportunities to develop spiritual leadership while remaining under the guidance of engaged Christian parents and leaders.
Q: What happens during the 3rd Thursday Local Small Groups?
A: The 3rd Thursday is designed to be smaller, more local, and more relational. As Deeply Rooted grows, local gatherings will meet throughout Southern Colorado, Denver Metro, and Northern Colorado, allowing families to build deeper relationships with others who live closer to them. This is also when specific age groups—including our Tweens (ages 9–12) and Teens (ages 13–18)—have more focused small-group and Bible study time together. A typical two-hour gathering includes approximately:
30 minutes — Fellowship & Relational Connection
60 minutes — Small Group / Bible Study
30 minutes — Deeper Prayer Time Together
Small groups may be parent- or student-led with parent guidance and supervision. Our goal is not simply to complete a curriculum or Bible study. We want students to develop authentic Christian friendships, wrestle with meaningful questions, grow in their understanding of Scripture, develop their own faith, and learn how to pray for and encourage one another.
Q: What will students be learning?
A: Deeply Rooted is a Biblical Christian discipleship community. Throughout the year, our gatherings may center around areas such as: scripture, identity in Christ, discipleship, Biblical worldview, apologetics, prayer, worship, spiritual disciplines, practical application of God’s Word, and living out our faith in everyday life. For our inaugural year with this new Deeply Rooted model, much of our discipleship will center around Identity in Christ. This theme will be explored during our larger Community Gatherings and at a deeper, age-appropriate level within small groups. Our goal is not simply information, but transformation—helping raise young men and women who know Christ, know what they believe, understand why they believe it, and are equipped to confidently live out their faith.
Q: Who teaches and leads the gatherings?
A: Deeply Rooted is a parent-engaged community, not a drop-off program built around one primary teacher. The Deeply Rooted Community is currently led by True North founder Courtney Raecker, with our leadership team continuing to develop as the community grows. Teaching, discussion, worship, prayer, and small groups may involve different parents and leaders throughout the year. We also want to intentionally create opportunities for students—particularly older students—to develop leadership skills by helping facilitate discussions, prayer, worship, and other aspects of community life under parent guidance and supervision. We believe discipleship is something we do together as families and as a community.
Q: How are teaching materials and Bible studies selected?
A: Scripture is our foundation. Any books, studies, teaching resources, or other materials incorporated into Deeply Rooted are selected to support our Biblical Christian mission and equip students to think biblically and engage the world with wisdom, truth, and grace. The Bible is the primary resource for Deeply Rooted. At times, individual small groups may also choose a book or Bible study to work through together.
Q: What does the Teen Group look like?
A: Deeply Rooted Teens is designed for ages 13–18 and provides dedicated opportunities for teens to develop meaningful Christian friendships while growing deeper in their faith. During 3rd Thursday Small Groups, teens will have focused time for Bible study, discussion, prayer, discipleship, and relational connection. During our inaugural year with this new model, Identity in Christ will be a major theme. Rather than simply working through curriculum, we want to create an environment where teens can ask meaningful questions, wrestle with what they believe, grow in their understanding of Scripture, develop their own faith, and learn alongside other Christian teens. Deeply Rooted Teens also extends well beyond Thursday gatherings through fellowship, service, worship, and social opportunities throughout the year. We have monthly social/fellowship activities that are in addition to our All Community Gatherings and Small Group times.
Q: Is there work expected outside of Community Gatherings?
A: Very little. There may occasionally be an optional reading, project, activity, or opportunity to prepare for an upcoming discussion, but Deeply Rooted takes a minimalist approach to curriculum and outside work. Any outside work is adaptable and always at the discretion of parents. Deeply Rooted exists to enhance—not replace—the homeschool and discipleship rhythms already happening within your family.
Q: What materials do we need to bring or purchase?
A: Very little. The Bible is our primary resource. There may be times when a particular small group or Bible study uses an additional book or resource that families are asked to purchase, but this will vary throughout the year.
PARENTS & FAMILY PARTICIPATION
Q: Is Deeply Rooted drop-off or parent participation?
A: Parent participation is required for our regular Deeply Rooted Community Gatherings. We are a highly parent-engaged discipleship community rather than a drop-off program. Parents are an integral part of creating the Christ-centered culture we’re building together. Depending on the needs of the community, parents may help facilitate small groups, support worship or prayer, assist with gatherings, coordinate fellowship or service opportunities, mentor students, or simply invest relationally in other families. There are no required volunteer hours. Our desire is for families to participate organically according to their gifts, capacity, and season of life. Parent participation for specific Deeply Rooted Teens and “Beyond” activities may vary.
Q: Can parents stay during Tween and Teen groups?
A: Absolutely! Parents aren’t simply allowed to participate—they are an important part of the Deeply Rooted vision. Our regular Community Gatherings are not drop-off events. Parents may help facilitate groups, support activities, pray with students, serve in leadership roles, or connect with other parents. At the same time, we want Tweens and Teens to have opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with one another and increasingly take ownership of their faith. Specific Teen fellowship events outside our regular gatherings may vary in their parent participation requirements, but parents are always welcome.
Q: Can I bring children under 3rd grade?
A: Yes! Younger siblings are welcome. Because our primary programming is designed for 3rd–12th grade, we don’t currently provide separate structured programming for younger children. Younger siblings are welcome to remain with their families. We simply ask parents to step out with a younger child if they become disruptive during teaching, worship, prayer, or small-group time.
Q: Do parents have required volunteer hours or have to teach?
A: No. Parents are not required to teach, and there are no required volunteer hours. Deeply Rooted is a parent-engaged, parent-led community, so we do ask families to come with a willingness to participate and contribute—but what that looks like will vary based on each family’s gifts, interests, capacity, and season of life.
Q: How can I help?
A: We love this question because it reflects the heart of the community we’re building under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Deeply Rooted isn’t intended to be an experience that families simply consume—we want families to help build community together. That might look like leading or supporting a small group, helping with worship, coordinating a fellowship activity, organizing a service project, mentoring students, praying for the community, welcoming new families, sharing a particular gift or skill, or simply being intentional about developing relationships. As the community grows, we’ll continue identifying opportunities based on the gifts, interests, and needs of the families God brings together.
COMMUNITY LIFE — “BEYOND”
Q: Will this really feel like a community if we only meet twice a month?
A: Absolutely. In fact, our goal is deeper connection, not simply more scheduled programming. Our 1st and 3rd Thursday gatherings provide a consistent rhythm for discipleship and relationship-building, while our “Beyond” Rhythms create additional opportunities throughout the year for fellowship, service, family events, Teen and Tween activities, parent connection, field trips, and simply doing life together. Deeply Rooted isn’t intended to be something families simply attend twice a month. Our vision is to cultivate an authentic Christian community where relationships continue to grow beyond scheduled gathering times.
Q: Are there activities outside of the regular gatherings?
A: Absolutely! Deeply Rooted is designed to extend beyond our twice-monthly Community Gatherings. Our “Beyond” Rhythms create additional opportunities for students, parents, teens, tweens, and families to build authentic relationships and share life together. Activities will vary from year to year based on the interests and needs of the community.
For our Deeply Rooted Teens (and Tweens) especially, our goal is to offer approximately one additional fellowship opportunity each month when possible so relationships can grow beyond structured Bible study and gathering times. Examples include: bowling, Topgolf, airsoft, rock climbing, ice skating, escape rooms, go-karting, youth worship nights, Friendsgiving, National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, Operation Christmas Child service projects, summer meetups, Desperation Conference, service opportunities, etc.
Q: Are there attendance requirements?
A: No. We understand homeschool families have different schedules, activities, church commitments, travel, and seasons of life. There is no attendance requirement for Deeply Rooted. Families are welcome to participate as they’re able. However, we strongly encourage consistent involvement whenever possible because meaningful community is built through regular relationships over time. You don’t have to attend everything to belong—but like any community, the more consistently families participate, the greater the opportunity to develop deeper relationships.
Q: Where is Deeply Rooted located?
A: Our 1st Thursday All Community Gatherings are held at The Road Church in Colorado Springs. Our 3rd Thursday Local Small Groups are designed to meet closer to families throughout Southern Colorado (The Road Church), Denver Metro (TBD), and Northern Colorado (TBD) as those local communities develop. Our “Beyond” activities may take place throughout Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Parker, Denver, Northern Colorado, and other Front Range locations depending on the activity.
DEEPLY ROOTED + TRUE NORTH
Q: Is True North Membership required to participate in Deeply Rooted?
A: No. Deeply Rooted is open to both True North Members and Non-Members. True North Membership is a separate offering that provides families access and priority registration to True North’s broader learning experiences, resources, educational tracks, field trips, and other opportunities.
Q: Is the True North Adventure Pass™ included with Deeply Rooted?
A: No. The Adventure Pass is a separate True North offering and is not part of Deeply Rooted. The Adventure Pass provides access to special discounts and opportunities at participating attractions and learning destinations and can be purchased separately by families who would like to use it.
Q: Does Deeply Rooted include True North field trips?
A: Deeply Rooted and True North Field Trips are separate offerings. Deeply Rooted may have its own fellowship outings, service projects, family activities, or other “Beyond” experiences throughout the year. True North also offers a much broader calendar of real-life learning educational tracks, field trips, Adventure Pass opportunities, and other homeschool events that families may choose to participate in separately.
Q: Do you offer other learning experiences besides Deeply Rooted?
A: Yes! Deeply Rooted is one part of the larger True North community. True North offers a variety of flexible, “a la carte” opportunities for homeschool families, including: Educational Tracks & Pathways, Real-Life Learning Field Trips, Adventure Pass, Community Service, Homeschool Resources, Career Exploration & Support, Parent Events, Clubs and special programs, and more! Check the True North Calendar for current opportunities.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Q: Is True North an Independent School offering record keeping?
A: No. True North and Deeply Rooted are not independent schools and do not provide homeschool record keeping. For families looking for an independent school option, we partner closely with Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC). The CHEC Independent School partners with Colorado families to provide private education at home, including record keeping and homeschool support, while affirming that parents are responsible for the education of their children and helping equip them to succeed in that God-given role.
Q: Is Deeply Rooted or True North affected by Colorado enrichment program legislation (SB26-023?
A: No. True North and Deeply Rooted do not accept public funding. We operate independently as a private homeschool resource and community rather than a publicly funded enrichment program.
Q: Does True North or Deeply Rooted require immunization records?
A: No. True North and Deeply Rooted are not schools and do not maintain student immunization records as part of participation.
Q: Do True North or Deeply Rooted require immunization records?
A: No. True North and Deeply Rooted are not schools and do not require or maintain student immunization records as part of participation. We respect parents as the primary decision-makers for their children, including decisions regarding vaccinations and healthcare. These decisions remain with each individual family.
Q: What is your privacy statement?
A: We do not share, sell, or disclose personal information about students or families. We value the privacy of the families within our community and are intentional about protecting personal information.
Q: What is True North Homeschool™?
A: True North Homeschool™ is a real-life learning, community, and resource center serving homeschool families across Colorado. Rather than functioning as a school or traditional co-op, True North provides flexible, “a la carte” opportunities families can incorporate into the homeschool journey that works best for them.
Our core offerings include:
Educational Tracks & Pathways
Real-Life Learning Field Trips
Community Service
Career Exploration & Support
Homeschool Resources
True North can complement an enrichment program, homeschool co-op, independent homeschool, or other educational approach. Our goal is to give families the flexibility to build the homeschool experience that best serves their family.
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