​​​CDF FREEDOM SCHOOLS

 

Southside Kingdom of Hope CDF Freedom School operating since 2006, serving scholars Kindergarten through 8th grade.

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​The CDF Freedom Schools program provides summer  enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading, increases their self-esteem, and generates more positive attitudes toward learning. Children are taught using a model curriculum that supports children and families around five essential components: high quality academic enrichment; parent and family involvement; civic engagement and social action; intergenerational leadership development; and nutrition, health and mental health. 

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Freedom Schools were birthed from the "Mississippi Freedom Summer Project" of 1964. The Freedom Schools movement was reborn in 1992 under the leadership of Marian Wright Edelman and the Children's Defense Fund's Black Community Crusade for Children to advance this transforming vision of education for all children through the CDF Freedom Schools Program.​



The Southside Kingdom of Hope summer program maintains that reading is an important key to unlock the door to children’s dreams and unlimited potential.  Participants will be engaged in activities that nurture their minds, bodies and spirits. The books on which the Reading Curriculum is based represent the work of the country’s best writers and illustrators.  The book list is comprised of approximately 80 titles, all of which have been reviewed and found to be appropriate for children ages 5 to 18.  8 weeks of lesson plans are developed for approximately half of the books to help staff and children reflect on the themes I Can and Must Make a Difference in My: Self, Family, Community, Country, and World.  The remaining titles make up the collection of on-site library books.  These books provide a rich resource for recreational reading, read-a-louds, and research on history and community service projects. Participants will be placed in classrooms according to current academic age levels:  1 (K-2), 2 (3-5), and 3 (6-8).

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