REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. If you are interested in 2025 Freedom Schools please reach out to [email protected]
Since the founding of the Nation, structures of inequality deeply rooted in racism and white supremacy have perpetuated unequal outcomes for Black, Indigenous and other people of color. In the school setting, intentional and unintentional policies and practices have led to further inequality in American society based on skin color, class, and gender.
Attacks on academic freedom to remove or discourage the teaching of race, history, and gender in public schools have further suppressed our collective ability to build a future where all people regardless of race, religion or gender can flourish and be treated as equals.
“It will feel like home! A safe space to share thoughts." -Freedom School Alumni
To affirmatively push back on the assaults to academic freedom, teaching, and learning, the ACLU of Idaho’s Summer Freedom School Program aims to educate, inspire, organize, and integrate youth into the movement for justice. The Summer Freedom School is a 5-week program that will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 9, 2024, until August 8, 2024. Each workshop last an hour and a half, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm MST (5:00 - 6:30 pm PST) with exception of two workshops that are extended to last two hours. A celebration gathering will be held on August 9, 2024 to end the program. Successful participants will receive a stipend of $125 for completing the 5-week program. These workshop sessions will be online.
Who can apply?
We encourage youth in high school and college (ages 16-25 years old) to apply.
Space is limited, Apply today!
The deadline to apply to the Summer Freedom School Program is FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024.
Why Freedom Schools?
In 1964 the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) organized their Freedom Summer campaign. Its main objective was to end the political disenfranchisement of African Americans in the Deep South.
“This is definitely a great opportunity for anyone that is looking to learn more about how to get involved and learn how to use your voice." --Freedom School Alumni
CORE, SNCC and NAACP also established 30 Freedom Schools in towns throughout Mississippi. They were established to not only teach basic subjects like reading and math, but also focused on democratic principles and organizing for social change.Volunteers taught in the schools and the curriculum included black history and the philosophy of the civil rights movement.
We carry this historical grounding with us as we seek to push back on assaults to academic freedom while educating and inspiring youth into the movement for justice and freedom.
