Since the opening of the first Freire Schools campus in 1999, the intent of the Freire Schools educational program has been to serve primarily educationally disadvantaged students—students considered at risk of academic failure based on their demographics, disability, or prior educational achievement. Many students come to Freire having already been taught to believe that they are not capable of thriving in high school, let alone college. Our paramount goal is to help our students learn, achieve, and transform their sense of themselves and of their futures—to raise their expectations about what they can be, in school and beyond. This means equipping every student with the tools they need to access college and thrive there.
At Freire Schools, college prep means preparing students for “Graduation x2” – ensuring that students have the knowledge and skills to graduate from high school AND to persist in and graduate from college. To achieve this goal, the Freire Schools academic program is a challenging liberal arts program that encourages students to think critically and scientifically, communicate effectively, read and synthesize complex texts, and apply the skills and knowledge they acquire in the classroom to real-world situations.
Integrated and comprehensive academic and emotional supports help to ensure that our students are succeeding in school and developing the skills and knowledge they will need in college. Every Freire Schools student has a dedicated Academic Advisor who supports academic growth by tracking academic progress, communicating with families in times of concern, and linking students to extra help, resources, and support. College Counselors help students plan for college, find the right school, and apply for scholarships and financial aid. Freire students also have access to daily after-school Academic Centers, where teachers and peers offer subject-specific tutoring and homework help.
Many students come to Freire Schools several grade levels behind in math and reading. With constant, individualized support, Freire students don’t just catch up—they begin to truly thrive.