From the early stages of recruiting students and training teachers, to the final bell of the school year, Education Week‘s Kavitha Cardoza and NPR’s Cory Turner followed teachers, students, and parents as they documented the first year of Ron Brown College Preparatory High School in the District of Columbia. The school is designed specifically to meet the needs of its young male students students of color – who are called “kings.” And for many of the young men, their needs are profound.
In Episode I of the three-part audio series, the school principal, director of culture, and school psychologist explain their vision and goals for the students. Their comments are excerpted in an audio slideshow below, with portraits by Jared Soares.
Principal Benjamin Williams talks about changing students’ mindset from using school as a social opportunity, to instead using it as an academic opportunity.
Dawaine Cosey, the director of culture, empowerment, and restorative justice, talks about the ways he uses love to interact with students.
School Psychologist Charles Curtis talks about restorative justice, and society’s expectations for the students at Ron Brown.