A young black student at the Project School raised his hand and expressed his desire to talk more about the Black Lives Matter movement. His teacher, John Searcy, made sure to recognize the viewpoint in his classroom space. Searcy provides a voice to all his students and says it doesn’t take the February Black History Month to tee up the issue.
“I mean you’re here in February, but I hope what you see on my walls, in my library, and in my students’ assignments isn’t just a February thing, it’s something we do throughout the school year.”
John Searcy explains more about why it is important to create diverse curriculum.
The value of voice has attracted many to this local charter school. In fact, the waiting list has over 300 names on it. Due to the limited number of seats, there are only 279 kids currently enrolled. It is due to this high demand and desire for change that The Project School has announced a three-year expansion plan. According to a press release, the expansion project will include a new school building from 416-420 Washington St.
“We have dreamed of this for so long, the idea that we’ll be able to say a lot more yes(s) when we pull the lottery this year is really exciting.” says Amy Jackson, the Philanthropy & Outreach Director.
The school aims to create 90 more openings.
“I’m excited to see who comes in and who we are able to better serve with this expansion.” says Searcy.
The Project School first opened in 2009, but the initial idea for this school came about in 2006. Local educators decided students needed individualized education, so they designed a school with multi age-classrooms and a creative curriculum.
Eleven years later, this initial vision hasn’t changed. Now, the school plans to add one classroom per year until 2023.
“We feel by adding one class a year for three years, we’ll be able to train new educators in our model and be able to do it in a way that allow us to continue to have real authenticity in our vision.” says Jackson.
There are also possible changes that may occur with the original Project School site. These changes could include new windows and the rearranging of classrooms.
One of the biggest changes across the board is the need for new teachers.
Most teachers at TPS have undergone The Workshop Model Training Program offered through the Teaching College at Columbia University. Present teachers like Searcy, who have been at the school since the beginning, will guide new educators. The Project School focuses on response learning, a teaching style centered on the emotional and social growth of students. The school wants all of their incoming teachers to become familiar with this teaching style.
The hiring process has started, and applications have been posted on The Project School Facebook page.
In terms of advice for incoming teachers, Searcy says, “Don’t be afraid of the hard work, the cost of working hard to make things happen for your students.”
Another element that will be added is a donated green space on 2nd St. Amy Jackson details the plans for this space below:
Amy Jackson offers insight into what the green space will be used for in the future.
Additional future plans are unknown, but the school is confident moving forward.
Jackson says, “The future of TPS is really bright… TPS really has had impacts that far expand beyond the walls of this building or this little neighborhood. And so, we really believe that TPS will continue to have major impacts.”
