Understood the assignment: The Wilson Academy’s blueprint for student excellence

By Lana Reid

JA Guest Writer

In recent years, discussions surrounding the state of K-12 education in America have become increasingly urgent. Many stakeholders, such as parents, teachers, and administrators, express dissatisfaction with a system appearing to leave some students behind, particularly Black children, who often suffer as collateral damage amid ongoing reform debates. 

The consistent and pressing question we continually find ourselves asking is: how can we better serve our Black youth in educational settings?

Recently, while organizing an event for our nonprofit organization, I collaborated with the Wilson Academy located in Conyers, Georgia. I had the opportunity to observe some potential answers to this question in real time. 

The students served as hosts and announcers for our event, offering a glimpse into the brilliance having been cultivated in their educational environment. This K-12, Black-owned private school developed a successful approach addressing the challenges faced by other educational systems, consistently yielding some of the highest-achieving Black students across the nation.

The Wilson Academy credits its success to a comprehensive framework they call “The Three E’s: Environment, Education, and Exposure”. This model enables them to foster a learning atmosphere free from the distractions often found in many traditional schools. Their innovative curriculum emphasizes critical thinking through small class sizes focused on skill development and curriculum-connected field trips both domestically and internationally, which sharpen students’ global perspectives.

A crucial aspect enhancing the Wilson Academy student outcomes is its dedication to nurturing a strong cultural identity among its students. During the event, students of all ages shared how they are taught to take pride in their Blackness and the rich culture accompanying it. This pride translates into academic confidence, as students understand they can compete with anyone, irrespective of race. This supportive atmosphere, cultivated by Black educators understanding the unique requirements of Black students, is crucial to the “village” model having historically proven effective in achieving the best results for our Black youth.

The exceptional achievements of Wilson Academy students were strikingly apparent during the collaboration. One graduating student from Wilson Academy will be attending Howard University; another has been accepted into Morehouse College at just 15 years old; one senior scored in the top 2% nationwide on the ACT test while securing over two million dollars in scholarships and will be heading off this fall to Xavier University. Additionally, a Wilson Academy alumnus participating in our project graduated from North Carolina A&T State University and was just admitted into the dual JD/MPH programs at Georgetown Law School and Johns Hopkins University.

The continual success at Wilson Academy demonstrates that fostering a robust sense of identity, coupled with an education geared towards critical thinking and real-world exposure, can yield optimal results. If we are to combat the challenges our Black youth face, we must advocate for educational settings inspiring not only academic achievement but also confidence and self-worth.

In light of the “secret sauce” the Wilson Academy has developed, it’s time we collectively strive for a transformative shift in the education of our Black youth. By integrating the components of their model: the commitment to providing a nurturing environment, tailored education, and significant exposure, we can ensure our children are equipped to thrive in a world often overlooking their potential. 

The success of the Wilson Academy serves as a hopeful blueprint, proving not only are our Black youth more than capable, but that it is also absolutely possible to create educational outcomes that uplift and empower them.

For more information on the Wilson Academy:

thewilsonacademy.org

Facebook:

 @thewilsonacademy.org

Instagram: 

@thewilsonacademy1

Lana Reid is the founder and president of Conversation in Color, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing uplifting and community-building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.