At the 1619 Freedom School, we recognize the limitless potential of our children when they receive the type of support, encouragement, and empowering learning environments that they deserve.

 

Our curriculum is designed by education experts and uses culturally specific books to empower students as they learn, and helps frame students’ literacy efforts within the historic efforts that Black Americans have undergone to gain an education under the belief that literacy leads to liberation.

 

We have launched a pilot program with a group of educators across the country with the aim of making the 1619 Freedom School “Liberation Through Literacy” curriculum open source to any community that wishes to use it.

 

Why Waterloo

 

Waterloo’s Black students account for 26 percent of Waterloo public schools students but half of all suspensions in the district. The average Black student in Waterloo public schools is more than two grade levels behind the average white student. 

 

Despite a gaping achievement gap, and like most school districts in the nation, Waterloo's school district ends most literacy instruction after the third grade.

 

Literacy experts say that students—especially those academically behind—continue to need literacy instruction as they progress to the upper grades. The lack of this specialized literacy instruction compounds academic disadvantages so many of our Black students already experience. Research shows that Black students actually fall farther behind the older they get.

 

Waterloo needs an intensive intervention for its students. This is what the 1619 Freedom School was designed to do. We continue intensive, comprehensive literacy instruction for students most in need of it. Our teachers are predominantly Black, certified, and experienced in literacy instruction.

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Our children deserve better, so we give them better.