History is written by the victors. It is vital that we study black history with intention and focus – to learn where we came from – and to design our future together.
At Aurum Preparatory Academy (Aurum Prep) during Black History Month, we focus our middle school classes on black history. We teach about lesser known historical figures and African-American contributions, challenges, triumphs and struggles. Everyone knows about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, but several other significant and courageous black heroes don’t get their due recognition. We are here to change that.
Our middle school students explore, inquire and debate historical events and consider questions that have challenged humanity since the beginning of time.
We ask Students to Think Deeply and Engage with Questions Like:
How did this impact society?
Do the same issues persist today despite the Civil Rights Act being law today?
What was the Supreme Court decision that allowed the Civil Rights Act to be passed?
How was Markus Garvey influential? And should we adhere to Markus Garvey’s perspective on what to do with the black community? Why?
How did the debate between W.E.B Du Bois & Booker T. Washington impact us today? Where can you see the impact of these two perspectives currently?
Reinforcing Pride in African-American History
At the end of Black History Month, each of our Advisory groups share key lessons learned about African-American Culture through a door decorating contest. We invite each group of 6th - 8th graders to use physical decorations and creatively represent the different concepts and ideas important to black history.
Student groups curate each door over a week or two, and then we go around to review and take pictures. Once the doors are ready, our whole school ranks and orders which Advisory wins. Our middle schoolers enjoy the process and it serves as a fun way to celebrate and connect with each other and our history.
The winner of our door decorating contest is named Advisory of the week and is celebrated at our Student Town Hall (Community Circle). We also hold a culminating Jeopardy-like-game that’s really fun; students are quizzed on black history facts and figures. The top three winners earn a $100 gift certificate for 1st place, $50 for 2nd place, and $25 for 3rd place.
All Are Welcome Here
All are welcome here at Aurum Preparatory Academy. We celebrate and teach about many cultures and apply the same kind of focus for Women’s International History Month in March and Hispanic Heritage Month every September, teaching both well-known and lesser-known cultural stories. We instill a sense of celebratory pride from the diverse contributions of these important groups.
We teach our students to learn from history and to design our future together. This is one way we are ensuring that Aurum Prep 6th-8th grade students are educated and supported to succeed in high school, college and life, and serve as the next generation of moral leaders.
We provide golden opportunities in East Oakland for 6th - 8th grade students at our safe, small, free middle school. Call us anytime at (510) 746-7860 or send an email to info@aurumprep.org. Now Enrolling!
About Aurum Prep
Aurum Preparatory Academy teaches college preparation, character development, and design thinking to students in Oakland, Ca. Through rigorous instruction and positive character education, Aurum Prep educates all students in grades 6 through 8 to succeed in high school, college, and life, and serve as the next generation of moral leaders. Enroll your middle school student today.
The future begins today. At Aurum Prep, our students are taking the steps they need to celebrate today, and make tomorrow brighter. Learn more about enrolling your student at our tuition-free middle school, today:
Call us at 415.763.8974
Email us at info@aurumprep.org
Fill out our Registration Packet