JACKSONVILLE, Fla — The first Historically Black Colleges and Universities inspired elementary school in Jacksonville open its doors Tuesday morning. School leaders hope this school model can inspire the next generation of learners and leaders.
Singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, 80 students formed the inaugural class of the first ever Historically Black Colleges and Universities inspired school near Norwood Avenue in Jacksonville.
Cameron Frazier is the founder of Becoming Collegiate Academy, which the new elementary is apart of.
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“So we are replicating the culture of Historically Black Colleges and University by focusing on positive relationships, leveraging identity and culture, upholding high expectations,” said Frazier.
The new school’s goal is to better prepare students not only for graduation but for higher education.
“We all know representation matters. You can’t be what you can’t see, said Frazier. “Our students seeing role models, look like them teach them endless every single day, that provides them with the inspiration that they need to progress forward and do major things in this world.”
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Some Of the teachers here are former students of Frazier who were mentoring throughout the years, like Ahmad Levy.
“To me it was life changing, personally and professionally, said Levy. “He represented one of the first Black males in my life to actually care, because my father passed away when I was just eight years old.”
For Akima Bing, whose first grader is enrolled here, she says the smaller class sizes and hands on learning in literacy has already made a difference.
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“With them, he has two teachers in the classroom,” said Bing. “So, they can split that time to give him the foundation and everything he needs.”
Right now the school holds kindergarten and first grade clases. Officials said more grade levels will be added each school year.
“Our kids need support and love,” said Bing.
The school is tuition fee and charted through DCPS.
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