Healthy Start

Healthy bodies assist in the development of healthy minds. During a day in Freedom Schools students are fed two nutritious meals, breakfast and lunch. These meals provide children with energy to sustain them through an activity-filled day of reading, art, music, dance, recreational games and other culturally enriching activities. 

Head Start

Reading is one of several keys that unlocks the door to a child's potential. During a Freedom Summer, children read a superb collection of books that reflect a wide variety of cultures, experiences, and characters through the use of positive images and role models. The summer long theme of the curriculum is "I Can Make a Difference" with weekly sub-themes on Self, Family, Community, Country and World. The curriculum used in Freedom Schools promotes reading, cooperative learning, critical thinking, and discussion skills.

Fair Start

A noted advocate once stated 'children need our presence more than our presents.' Local Freedom School sites form partnerships with parents, churches, community organizations and other caring community leaders to become better advocates for children. Children who are supported by strong parents and have strong values reinforced by communities will believe they have the ability to succeed. Freedom Schools provide a continuum of community-based social action programs on behalf of children for parents, young adults and caring community members.

Safe Start

Children who are encouraged, affirmed and supported will lend themselves to the learning process to discover their individual gifts and talents. Freedom Schools believe all children can learn when they are nurtured and taught by caring adults who believe in them and who are committed to sharing with them the joys of learning. Freedom Schools provide a safe haven to foster this development of self discovery.

Moral Start

Freedom Schools are staffed primarily by college-age young people who act as positive role models and mentors. These servant-leaders are committed to children, social action and advocacy; demonstrate a commitment to excellence; and have a strong sense of cultural pride. Children will learn by example the values of honesty, hard work, respect for self and others, and the importance or reinvesting in the community.