With roots in the Civil Rights Movement, Freedom Schools are designed to reduce summer learning loss and increase cultural pride and self-esteem. As a Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools© partner, we use Integrated Reading Curriculum. The heroes and heroines in our books are mirrors for who are scholars are and who they can become. Reading helps children discover their potential and greatness.
Read to thrive
Literacy & Agency
Grades K-8
- Six-week summer program
- 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Culturally relevant curriculum
- No cost to families
Our Teachers
Passionate about children and social justice, enthusiastic and energetic college students and young adults go through rigorous CDF Freedom Schools© National Training to become classroom teachers called Servant Leader Interns (SLI). SLIs lead literacy rich activities during the morning. In the afternoon, they lead enrichment activities or chaperone field trips. Some of our SLIs are former scholars who want to give back through teaching. SLIs also participate in our Family Engagement activities.
Leaders
- College students or recent graduates
- Rigorous interview process
- 90 hours of comprehensive training
- Kind, loving, responsible
Our Mornings
Passionate about children and social justice, enthusiastic and energetic college students and young adults go through rigorous CDF Freedom Schools© National Training to become classroom teachers called Servant Leader Interns (SLI). SLIs lead literacy rich activities during the morning. In the afternoon, they lead enrichment activities or chaperone field trips. Some of our SLIs are former scholars who want to give back through teaching. SLIs also participate in our Family Engagement activities.
Learning
- Harambee! celebration
- Self-empowerment
- Self-determination
- Self-liberation
Our Afternoons
Afternoons are busy with activities and adventures that expand the imaginations and possibilities for our scholars. The community comes to us to teach and inspire – including dance, yoga, visual arts and crafts, and food prep. We go out into the community on field trips. Past field trips have included the Civil Rights Room at Nashville Public Library, recording studios, universities and farms.
Enrichment
- Hip-hop poetry
- Field trips
- Music, dance, yoga
- Foreign language classes
Our Families
Attending Nashville Freedom Schools can be a transformational experience for our scholars and their families. We are committed to engaging, educating and empowering parents to support their children in reaching their greatest potential.
Empowerment
- Advocacy training
- Informative workshops
- Community resources