Student Life: Honoring Black History Month

During February, students at all levels observe Black History Month in various ways. Elementary students learned about and were inspired by Reginald Laurent, a black artist dedicated to promoting inclusion and diversity through his artwork. In his creations, he combines a wide range of colors, tints, and hues to produce harmonious pieces. Reflecting Laurent’s style, elementary students have been creating their own artwork and encouraging students from other levels to do the same. They have also been assisting younger Primary and Toddler students in completing their own projects.

Our AP students also observe Black History Month through thoughtful study and meaningful experiences. In their civics and civil rights projects, students examined the constitutional amendments that expanded freedom and ensured equal protection under the law, while also discussing the role of citizen action in shaping our nation. They explored how the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, along with subsequent civil rights legislation, required both courageous leadership and active participation from ordinary citizens. 

In their civil rights unit, students read, analyzed, and discussed Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” the “I Have a Dream” speech, and key documents from W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, and Barack Obama, among others. They also studied landmark civil rights cases. These discussions encouraged students to consider their own rights and recognize the responsibilities that accompany those rights.

To deepen their understanding, students visited The King Center in Atlanta, walking the historic grounds near Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis preached and led. Standing in the very location where history unfolded allowed students to connect their learning to real people and events. They also visited the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, a significant landmark in one of Atlanta’s most historically meaningful Black communities, where they experienced the area’s culture and legacy firsthand by trying diverse cuisine from local vendors. Through study, reflection, and shared experiences, our AP students honored Black History Month not merely as a moment in time but as an integral part of American history and civic life.