This Jacksonville charter school is instilling the HBCU spirit in students early!
HBCU pride is undefeated. There are so many HBCU alumni doing great things, such as Lincoln University graduate Mario Bowler Sr. who trademarked Juneteenth Joy, positively impacting the culture while serving as an inspiration for others. This mom and daughter duo graduated from Howard University and Meharry Medical College before becoming the owners of three orthodontics offices across the metro Detroit area! Norfolk State University alumna, Maia Chaka, is the first Black woman to be added to the NFL roster for game officials. But the most important are the teachers who graduate from Black colleges and universities to inspire the youth. Between spirit days and classroom door decorations, HBCU educators always make sure to represent where they came from.
Becoming Collegiate Academy is new to Jacksonville, FL and is designed to embody the HBCU culture. The college-prep school is tuition-free with an HBCU-style education from academics to the learning environment. The ABC’s start with “A” for Alcorn State University and end with “Z” for Zora Neale Hurston.
Founder and Principal Cameron Frazier told Fox 30 News, “We are replicating the culture of Historically Black Colleges and Universities by focusing on building positive relationships, leveraging identity and culture, and holding high expectations.”
Currently, there are 80 students enrolled with a student body made up of only kindergartners and first graders. However, they’re still on the search for educators and still accepting applications for students!
“Our brown bears are going to make a difference in the world one day. You’ll see the big brown bear and you’ll be surrounded by nothing but love,” said Frazier.
The Jacksonville native and educator has had quite the successful teaching career. He first started as a Teach for America Jacksonville Corps Member before making his way back to his childhood neighborhood to teach English at Matthew Gilbert Middle School. During his first year, Frazier was recognized by the Duval County Public Schools for increasing student achievement in reading. Later, he began teaching 3rd grade reading at Rocketship Elementary in Nashville, Tennessee, where he developed a social-emotional learning and culturally-affirming model that was implemented school-wide to increase student achievement. He most recently served as the Dean of Students at KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School and Founding Assistant Principal at KIPP Nashville College Prep Elementary. Frazier says he is more than happy to be bringing Becoming Collegiate Academy to his community and is focused on preparing the next generation children for college and life.
Have a wonderful school year!
Photo: Becoming Collegiate Academy