Despite the challenges faced this school year – the pandemic, COVID restrictions, and a devastating tornado, The Piney Woods School Class of 2021 continued to thrive with on-campus learning that resulted in repeating a 100% college acceptance rate.
Throughout the U.S., parents, educators, and students are dismayed by the educational disruptions caused by the pandemic. A McKinsey and Company report establishes learning, achievement, and mental well-being gaps for most youth. The research shows that disadvantaged students of color are disproportionately impacted and are 6 to 12 months behind in contrast with their peers.
The Piney Woods School faculty and staff worked tirelessly to ensure minimum setbacks. The hard work resulted in the continued tradition of educational excellence for each student. Moreover, the Class of 2021 repeated last year’s achievement of a hundred percent college acceptance rate.
The senior class members revealed their choices during College Signing Day in mid-May. Nearly all of them had multiple acceptance and scholarship offers. The colleges and universities throughout the nation include Berea College, Clark Atlanta University, Emerson College, Fisk University, Hampton University, Hinds Community College, Jackson State University, Jones Community College, Mississippi State University, Morgan State University, St. John University, Spelman College, Talladega College, Tougaloo College, University of Memphis, University of Miami, University of Mississippi, and University of Nevada.
The graduation activities began the weekend of May 28-29, 2021, in the historic Rock Garden. The public participated in a free Spring Concert sponsored by the MS Arts Commission. The live performance celebrated the students’ music and dance artistry and featured Dr. Pam Confer; and Tougaloo College – Department of Visual and Performing Arts students – Carmen and Reginald Washington and Erin and Elijah Anderson. The events concluded with Dr. Willie Levi Crossley Jr., the Piney Woods School President, delivering the commencement speech.
A virtual day of giving, A Freedom Day for a Freedom School, will be held on Juneteenth – Saturday, June 19, 2021. Funds will support the scholarship fund for the upcoming school year. For more information, visit https://www.pineywoods.org/.
The Piney Woods School is a co-educational program serving 8th through 12th grades in an experiential learning environment. As the nation’s oldest African American boarding school with 112 years of continuous operations and service, its 2,000-acre campus is on the National Register of Historic Places.