C.R. Neal Academy, a Rooted School

03/02/2026

Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves!

Rooted School Columbia is now C.R. Neal Academy, a Rooted School.
We are proud to rename our school in honor of a legendary Columbia educator whose legacy of excellence, access, and opportunity continues to inspire our work. This new name reflects our deep commitment to the Columbia community and to building on a powerful educational foundation.

While our name has changed, our North Star remains the same: Every student will graduate with a college acceptance and a job offer.

C.R. Neal Academy will continue to deliver the same innovative model you know and trust — project-based learning, strong industry partnerships, and clear pathways to high-demand careers — all designed to ensure students graduate prepared for both college and career.

This is more than a name change. It is a renewed commitment to legacy, leadership, and lasting impact in Columbia.

Learn more: https://www.rootedschoolcola.org/

11/25/2025

Hear first-hand why parents love Rooted Schools.

We are opening our next campus in Columbia, SC, and are looking for our founding class.

Interested? Visit RootedSchoolCola.org

11/19/2025

Our innovative charter school is planning to offer a unique program focused on healthcare, STEM, and manufacturing careers. Students gain real-world skills, earn industry credentials, and graduate prepared for success.

Would you like to see this 6th - 12th grade school open in your community? See how you can enroll: https://www.rootedschoolcola.org/

11/13/2025

Meet Rooted School Columbia’s Senior Director of Growth & Innovation - Steven Carney

A lifelong educator and school founder, Mr. Carney leads new school growth and supports Rooted campuses nationwide with one goal in mind: ensuring every graduate leaves with a college acceptance in one hand and a job offer in the other.

If you want to learn more about Mr. Carney, and how the Rooted Schools aim to help every graduate leave with a college acceptance and job offer in their hands, visit rootedschoolcola.org

11/07/2025

Wondering how Rooted School Columbia can change your child’s life and future success?

Meet, Jaron, a 2025 graduating senior from Rooted School New Orleans, the founding school in our network.

Jaron chose to attend Loyola New Orleans after pulling in over $2M in scholarship offers, providing him the freedom to choose where he wanted to go for college.

Help your student have a successful future by enrolling them at the new Rooted School Columbia. Learn more at rootedschoolcola.org

https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/with-2m-in-scholarship-offers-local-grad-chooses-loyola/article_fb2d8d7c-91c5-4dff-84c6-459c3d84c254.html

The high school grad has designed a clothing line and worked in a bookstore. He loves music and has studied technology. Next, with a full scholarship, he'll study marine biology.

11/03/2025

At Rooted School Columbia we aim for our students to graduate with a job offer in one hand and a college acceptance in the other.

Our innovative charter school is planning to offer a unique program focused on healthcare, STEM, and manufacturing careers. Students gain real-world skills, earn industry credentials, and graduate prepared for success.

Learn more about the 6-12th grade school coming to your community - rootedschoolcola.org

10/28/2025

Meet Rooted School Columbia’s Founding Executive Director & School Principal - Lalah S. Radney

A proud Columbia community member with over a decade of experience in K–16 and higher education, Mrs.Radney has dedicated her career to expanding access, opportunity, and economic mobility for students.

Her mission is bold and clear: to end intergenerational poverty through education — one degree, one career, and one generation at a time.

How is she getting started? By leading Rooted School Columbia, a planned 6-12 charter school coming to your community!

Connect with Mrs. Radney to learn more about Rooted Columbia. Connect via email ([email protected] ) or call at ((803) 200-1825)

Visit our website - rootedschoolcola.org - to learn more.

02/14/2025

Do you want to set your children up for success?

Our innovative charter school is planning to offer a unique program focused on AI-related jobs in the healthcare, IT, and clean energy fields. Your student will get real-world experience with our industry partners while in middle and high school!

If you want this 6th-12th grade, FREE, charter school to open up in Columbia, mark your interest below.

Learn more: https://www.rootedschoolcola.org/

01/23/2025

Rooted School is planting new seeds in Columbia, SC!
Would you like to see this 6th - 12th grade school open in your community? Sign up below to mark your interest
Our innovative charter school is planning to offer a unique program focused on AI-related jobs in the healthcare, IT, and clean energy fields. Students gain real-world skills, earn industry credentials, and graduate prepared for success.
Learn more: https://www.rootedschoolcola.org/

01/14/2025

Rooted School is planting new seeds in Columbia, SC!
Our innovative charter school is planning to offer a unique program focused on healthcare, IT, and clean energy careers. Students gain real-world skills, earn industry credentials, and graduate prepared for success.
Would you like to see this 6th - 12th grade school open in your community? Sign up below to mark your interest
Learn more: https://www.rootedschoolcola.org/

01/13/2025

Rooted School Columbia will be the 5th school in the Rooted School network.
At Rooted School, we’re redefining what’s possible for middle and high school students!
Your students don’t just graduate with diplomas—they leave with college credits, professional work experience, and a resume that sets them apart.
Through partnerships with local businesses and a focus on tech and entrepreneurship, we’re preparing young minds to excel in college and the workforce.
Learn more about the Rooted School Network by reading the full Forbes article.
Read the full article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanderark/2022/09/28/the-rooted-school-network-experiencing-success-in-college-and-work-in-high-school/?sh=c01bf953d6cf

To attack the income gap, in 2014, Johnson founded The Rooted School Foundation to accelerate upward mobility for underserved youth by ensuring students graduate with a job offer in one hand and a college acceptance letter in the other.