HISTORY
The Paul Robeson Academic International School of Excellence (PRAISE) is a partnership between the Urban Leadership Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Education, and the brainchild of LaMarr Darnell Shields and David Miller, co-founders of the Urban Leadership Institute (ULI). The impetus of their vision stems from LaMarr and David's frustration with the state of African American male achievement and lack of quality programs dealing with the issue. Therefore, they found it necessary to create a model that speaks to the needs of African American males.
The core members of the planning team that LaMarr and David assembled consisted of members of the community, former and current school teachers, parents, school administrators, and lawyers.
LaMarr and David met in 1996 while teaching in the Baltimore City School System. During this phase of their journey, they honed their teaching craft in the fields of history, Spanish, leadership, and civic engagement. As teachers and leaders of the community, they created a national conference called Youth Explosion, which provided a forum for youth to cultivate their innate leadership skills. Over the next 5 years, this conference would attract over 10,000 attendees.
From this, they grew to share a deep understanding of the academic and emotional needs of African American males. Their undying need and desire to be strong role models for the young men that they were responsible for became their primary focus.
They conversed at great length about one day "doing something big" that would have a great impact on the socialization and maturation of young men. Therefore, they decided to create a Saturday school, named after the famous actor, activist, and great leader, Paul Robeson, who believed in academic achievement and equality for all.
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VISION
We see a world where African American males will receive an adequate education, despite their race, handicaps, shortcomings, or financial status. We believe, if given the proper tools and nurturing environment from caring adults, our boys will succeed.
We believe parents/guardians are the first teachers and serve as an educational coach for the development of the child. When given proper support, and necessary tools, they too will become great teachers.
We believe parents/guardians are the first teachers and serve as an educational coach for the development of the child. When given proper support, and necessary tools, they too will become great teachers.
MISSION
The mission of the Paul Robeson Academic International School of Excellence (PRAISE) is to nurture, educate, and graduate young men who are civic-minded, critical thinkers, skillful problem solvers and of exemplary character. Through a Saturday school setting, our scholars will become high school and college bound, family and community leaders; concerned for the rights and welfare of others, socially responsible, confident in their capacity to make a difference, and ready to contribute personally to civic and political action. In addition, our goal is to maintain the highest level of academic excellence as a community in order to prepare every student to become life-long learners as well as productive citizens.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
We believe that education is primarily directed toward the child's mind. While socialization and vocational training certainly merit consideration in their own right, these are not the proper objectives of the academy.
We believe the life of the mind is sustained on ideas and is best nourished by reading books of literary quality and, to the extent possible, reading primary documents in history.
We believe that the academic education of children means teaching them about their relationship to humanity and the natural world. Children need to know about the history of the human race, as it makes them wiser for all time. In addition, children need to know about the natural universe they inhabit and the laws which govern it.
We, therefore, believe that literature, language, history, and math provide the foundation of academics.
We believe that children are spiritual beings in need of moral and ethical instruction.
We believe that parents/guardians bear the primary responsibility for imparting a world view to their own children which must include moral and ethical instruction.
We believe that parents/guardians bear the primary responsibility for imparting a world view to their own children which must include moral and ethical instruction.
We believe that the academy can best foster parental transmission of family values by providing a climate that respects parental beliefs, introduces students to great minds which have addressed these issues down through the ages, and challenges children to consider the moral and ethical implications of the subjects they study.
THE 3 PILLARS OF PRAISE
Every student must adhere to the (3) pillars of PRAISE. They serve as the foundation for social and academic success. The purpose is to help ensure that all students lead productive lives and make successful transitions to high school.
Leadership: to give scholars the tools and opportunities to advocate for changes within their communities.
Scholarship: to empower scholars to take a proactive role in education.
Integrity: to encourage scholars to adhere to a strict moral or ethical code.
About PRAISE
