AAS

Students in the African American Studies Academy will experience an immersive experience in African American history, literature and culture by making connections among the four disciplines as they prepare for a career in these areas.  The emphasis will be on project based learning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and research skills.  The mission of the African American Studies Academy  is to enhance the high school experience by providing unique electives, clubs and events that allow students to: participate in a supportive community of both educators and students engaged in the work, build a foundation of identity development, train students to embrace a critical and reflective lens of: resistance,  West African cultural retention, an Afrocentric lens on history, culture and language and the Black lived experience, and connect to the global community with  partnership with other schools.  The culmination of the program is the capstone experience which can be, but is not limited to, internships, work experience, experiencing performing arts, job shadowing and volunteer work.  Career goals are nearly unlimited and include lawyer, doctor, urban planner, educator, engineer, anthropologist, influencer, researcher, historian.  Careers in this area span a broad spectrum from applied to theoretical experiences.