SANKOFA INSTITUTE OF ENHANCED LEARNING
(SIEL)
Independent, African-centered school in Baltimore City
Sankofa Institute of Enhance Learning (SIEL) is an upcoming, independent African-centered school in Baltimore City for children ages 6-10. SIEL focuses on educating the whole child, and is not limited to grades or standardized tests.
We are currently fundraising to purchase and renovate the property where the school will be located. To date, we have raised $22,000 out of the needed $100,000 cost to renovate.
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We believe African-centered education must teach African Students how to wield power in the best interest of themselves and African people. Our school was purposefully established within the city to serve as a pillar for holistic education, cultural awareness, and nation building.
SIEL is a community-based educational component of Urban Youth Initiative Project (UYIP), a 501 c3 non-profit organization located in Baltimore City. Our curriculum will teach the following:
Language Arts, Reading, & Writing
English, Swahili, Spanish, Twi, Arabic, Medu Neter
Exposing our youth to common languages in the Americas, and indigenous African languages, gives them access to the rich culture behind the languages. SIEL has a rigorous and challenging language arts program that will broaden the potential in each scholars comprehension and critical thinking.
Mathematics, Science, & Technology
Scholars will master the number, number value, patterns, counting, entrepreneurial skills, money values and more. SIEL believes that science and technology is life. Our Scholars learn through hands on experiments. Our science and technology curriculum will cover anatomy, botany, insect and animal knowledge, cosmology, and basics of engineering.
African History, Culture, & Character Development
We will cultivate our scholars' Iwa Pele (West African Yoruba term for gentle character), and teach them about the conduct, customs, traditions, rituals, and values, that are unique to African people. From antiquity to present-day, we will learn about African ancient empires and dynasties, our ancestors, and our modern day Supreme Heroes & Supreme Sheroes. We will place a strong emphasis on studying African culture in the diaspora. To create a strong foundation for our Scholars, we focus on Knowledge of Self.
Health, Nutrition, & Agriculture
Our Scholars become attuned with the earth through gardening. We’ll learn about seasons, cycles, sun movement, biology, elements of nutrition, and explore the variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Through classes and our lunch, we nurture our Scholars to understand food as medicine.
UYIP Programs/Extra-Curricular Activities
From trips to museums, farms, and historical landmarks, our Scholars will learn while exploring. We will have guest presentations from artists, scientists, healers, community leaders, and more, to learn from their experiences and knowledge. We will also offer activities such as African drumming & dance, strength and conditioning training, self defense, yoga, cooking, knitting, chess, and, more.