Students are adjusting to the back-to-school rhythm, but for some, learning never stopped. At The Mark Montclair, students were invited to dive deeper during their 2025 Freedom School.
Freedom School at The Mark is part of a nationwide movement. In partnership with the Children’s Defense Fund, the program offers a multicultural curriculum designed to “prevent summer learning loss, bridge achievement gaps, and create confident, well-read children ready to positively impact their families, communities, nation, and the world.”
Every moment is intentionally crafted to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where scholars can learn and grow into transformational leaders. From the moment students walk up the steps, they are greeted with cheers from Servant Leader Interns (SLIs), young people eager to accompany the scholars on their journey toward knowledge and self-awareness.
The day begins with Harambee!, a high-energy kickoff celebration. Harambee is a Kiswahili word meaning “let’s pull together,” and that spirit is palpable as scholars and SLIs unite to start the day. The celebration opens with a motivational song, Labi Siffre’s “Something Inside So Strong,” the Freedom School theme song. Then, a “Read Aloud Guest” from the community shares a book with the scholars.
Call-and-response cheers energize Harambee! and encourage active participation. Scholars are celebrated for their growth and contributions as SLIs “notice and name” their development. Any scholar or SLI can offer a recognition with the call:
“I have a recognition, y’all!”
“Recognize!” the group responds.
On the day I visited, scholars were preparing to make a public witness at a community rally. One SLI took a moment to acknowledge their bravery: “I recognize all the scholars that are going to speak at the rally today because I know that’s really scary.”
The energy in the space is infectious. When asked what he loved about Freedom School, scholar Sa’Ra Stirling cheerfully exclaimed, “It’s great! It’s so exciting! I like everything!”
After Harambee!, students break into age-based classes for IRC (Integrated Reading Curriculum), where they read and discuss books that reflect their backgrounds and experiences. For SLI, MaryFatima, it’s the highlight of the day. “My favorite part of the day is IRC, it’s me using my own voice.”
Following lunch and recess, scholars participate in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. It’s this part of the day that energizes and excites scholar Angelique Bentley, “A couple days ago we made stress balls and slime. Afternoon activities are my favorite.”
Freedom School emphasizes holistic learning. One cheer that rings out during the day is:
“Touch it, read it, learn it, teach it, everybody talk about it!” Students are encouraged to explore their world and talk about what they see, for education doesn’t just happen in classrooms—it unfolds through community engagement and real-world experiences.
Every summer, Freedom Schools across the country participate in a National Day of Social Action focused on the intersection of educational access and justice. This year’s theme was “Public education is a public good.”
In Montclair, scholars marched more than a mile from the school to the Montclair Board of Education building, chanting: “What do
we want? Good schools! When do we want them? Now!” and “We can make good trouble!”
At the rally, students urged the mayor and superintendent to continue working toward equitable access to education for every Montclair student. Angelique, a 4th grader at Fairview Elementary, read an acrostic poem based on the word EDUCATION. Her favorite line was, “Opportunities for everyone.”
Joel shared, “What I like about public education is the wide variety of cultures and learning styles.”
Glorious Tracey boldly proclaimed:
“Public education is a public good because it helps ensure futures. It shouldn’t matter what town you live in, or how much money
your family has. Every school district deserves a clean building, enough teachers, art, music, lunch, and people who believe in them. We aren’t just marching today—we’re asking you to see us, hear us, and invest in us.”
The scholars’ message was warmly received. The mayor, Montclair’s new superintendent of schools, and every member of the Board of Education stepped outside to listen. This doesn’t happen in every city, which is why scholars across the country band together to speak out and create an equitable future for everyone. Their public witness doesn’t just affect public policy today, it also strengthens their advocacy muscles, equipping scholars to continue to use their first amendment rights to speak out for the common good.
For six weeks The Mark at Montclair created a space where students could grow deeper together. But the Freedom School at The Mark is more than just a summer program—it’s a movement that empowers young voices, nurtures leadership, and affirms that every child deserves a quality education. As these scholars return to their classrooms this fall, they carry with them not only stronger academic skills, but a deeper sense of self, purpose, and community. Their chants, poems, and presence remind us that education is not just about books and tests, it’s about building a future where every child is seen, heard, and supported.