uhuruacademy
"Over the past 28 years of teaching Afrikan youth, I've observed various teaching and learning styles that have been proven effective among our children. A mixture of cultural relevance, active learning, call and response, tech innovation, and effective family/community partnerships, sets the Uhuru Academy curriculum apart from other institutions."
​
- Baba Amin Ojuok

ANCESTOR REVERENcE

We begin each day with the pouring of libations and the honoring of our Ancestors.  We discuss our connection with those who came before us, and the importance of remembering and acknowledging their presence.  We discuss the influence that certain ancestors have had on our lives.  Most importantly, we are sharing aspects of ourselves by sharing the names of those to whom we show reverence.  Students soon begin pouring libations for each other's ancestors, which is a show of unity and apathy that is carries over into the classroom.

Afrikan Wisdom Journal
(creative Writing)

We begin each academic day with Creative Writing.  The Afrikan Wisdom Journal is a journal that all Uhuru Academy students keep that has a blend of original writings from the student and stories/critical analysis of select Afrikan Proverbs that set the tone for the day.  We find that it is very empowering for students that they begin the day practicing self expression and critical thinking.  Each morning, students are given a topic to write about and given 20-30 minutes to express themselves in writing.  Once time is up, students are allowed to share what they wrote with the class.  Select writings may be posted on the Uhuru Academy website, shared with parents, and/or recognized at our annual Appreciation Banquet. Nothing like an interactive writing class and dialogue to get students going and setting the tone for the rest of the day!
Direct quote from journal entry of UA Scholar Jeremiah Thompson - Age 12

UHURU aCADEMY MATHEMATICS

Handmade

Our scholars use Khan Academy for their individualized math strategies...

Just Add Coffee

We use the Kamali Academy Math workbooks to bolster our basics and engage in Afrikan Centered problem solving...

Take Anywhere

Our scholars use CK-12.com for their digital textbook work...
The Uhuru Academy approach to mathematics is one based on individual achievement, self-paced progression, collective understanding, and cultural relevance.  

UHURU ACADEMY
​SCIENCE

The Uhuru Academy science curriculum consists of lessons detailing an Afrikan origins of science and the Afrikan centered approach to the scientific method.  From there, our students engage lessons on Khan Academy and use the digital textbooks from CK-12 to study and complete assignment.  Students are also required to do at least one science project per month related to the concepts they are studying.  

SANKOFA FOR SUCCESS
AFRIKAN HISTORY CURRICULUM

Our Sankofa For Success Afrikan History Curriculum connects our students to our past in order to ground them firmly in the present so that they can be successfully launched into the future!
Picture
The Afrikan Liberation Flag

UA Skill Building 
program
​(computer literacy, s.t.e.m., & global citizenship)

At the Uhuru Academy, all students engage in skill building activities related to computer literacy, S.T.E.M., and Global Citizenship.  We use third party sites like typingclub.com (keyboarding), code.org (S.T.E.M.), and duolingo.com (foreign language) to not only introduce our students to basic skills, but to provide them with the necessary tools and freedom to enhance those skills according to the passion they have for each area.  

UHURU ACADEMY
ADVANCED
​READING/VOCABULARY curriculum

Our Advanced Reading/Vocabulary Curriculum is designed to help students develop exemplary comprehension skills and to expand their vocabulary beyond the prescribed scope of the public school system.  We place an emphasis on critical thinking, so our students are required to not only read a selection/vocabulary term, but interpret it from multiple perspectives.  Our students are required to develop and present visual slide presentations on a weekly basis outlining their experiences with given stories and/or terms.  Students are assigned both fiction and non-fiction books/selections that are culturally relevant and/or directly related to their goals, interests, and aspirations.  
uhuruacademy