Wake Forest hosts Freedom School for children

Wake Forest University is hosting Freedom School, a free six-week literacy-based summer program aimed at strengthening children’s reading skills and closing achievement gaps.

The Wake Forest program, part of a national initiative developed by the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), is serving 75 students in grades K through 8 and runs from June 20 to July 27.

Children’s Defense Fund President Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson will visit Winston-Salem to be the guest reader at 8:45 a.m. on June 30, when the students gather for Harambee – an opening session featuring motivational cheers and chants. Community members read books aloud to reinforce reading skills and foster a love of learning.

“It’s important to have young people involved with learning all summer,” said Danielle Parker Moore, an assistant professor of education at Wake Forest and executive director of Wake Forest’s program. “By using a culturally diverse curriculum, Freedom School engages students in fun ways to prevent summer learning loss and keep students engaged through enriching programming.”

Students from Wake Forest and other universities serve as teachers. This year, the program also includes twice-weekly STEM-focused lessons as part of CDF’s Freedom to STEM program focused on introducing children to careers in STEM fields.

“Freedom School is such an important initiative of Wake Forest University. I am excited that we are able to provide a safe fun, and enriching summer learning environment for K-8th graders in our community,” said Camry Wilborn-Mercer, assistant director of community partnerships in the Office of Civic & Community Engagement and project director of Freedom School.

Wake Forest University Freedom School is hosted by the University’s Department of Education and is made possible with the help of collaborators including The Office of Civic & Community Engagement, Office of the President, and Office of the Provost.

The program is at capacity this year.

Media are invited to cover the Harambee session of Freedom School. Contact the Wake Forest news office for a schedule of activities and location information.