- Home
- Mission & Vision
- Principal's Message
- Nguzo Saba
- Scholar Pledge & Creed
- Uniforms
- Code of Conduct
- Harambee
- School Songs
- Programs
- PTA
- History
- Pictures

African American Academy
"The Beacon on the Hill"

History

In January of 1990, the African American Academy was officially "born" as one of ten school programs, approved by the Seattle Public School Board, to eliminate disproportionality and increase academic achievement. In the fall of 1991, after several months of intense planning by an Oversight Committee of parents, teachers, and community people, the African American Academy opened as a Kindergarten through Grade 5 elementary school with an enrollment of 234 students. It has since grown to some 400 scholars in grades K-8.

The Academy is unique in that it incorporates the involvement of Africa and African Americans in US and world affairs, both historically and in the present day through supplemental learning materials and classroom activities. The history and influence of Africa and African Americans are integral to the culture of the Academy: students are called "scholars" and both classrooms and hallways are decorated with pictures of notable African Americans and information about Africa -- scholars are learning their heritage along with language, math, and science. To help scholars focus on the business of school, they are required to wear a uniform.

last updated: December 1, 2007