Freedom Schools

Freedom Schools, which operated during the mid-1960s, were temporary, alternative, free schools for African Americans and other minorities. Prominent in the South but present throughout the United States, they were originally part of a nationwide effort during the civil rights movement to organize African Americans to achieve social, political and economic equality. The movement consisted of a series of programs challenging the inequalities of segregated Southern education, transforming learning into a tool for liberation and empowerment and providing knowledge and critical thinking skills, and continues to influence educational and social movements. Their curriculum differed from that of the public schools: going beyond reading and writing to explore African American history, civic engagement, and the philosophy of nonviolent resistance in the context of its association with the civil rights movement. They encouraged students to think critically and explore their creativity.

Almost 40 Freedom Schools were established, serving over 2,500 students in one summer; students also included parents and grandparents. Classes were held in church basements, community centers, or homes due to threats to safety and lack of resources. Most teachers were activists, and African Americans and whites contributed to the success of the Freedom Schools.