FOR Parents The W.E.B. Du Bois Society, Inc. is an educational enrichment and leadership development program whose mission is to promote a culture of academic achievement and excellence among African American students in metro Atlanta. Its signature program is a network of high-achieving African American high school students from diverse economic backgrounds and geographies who are selected as Du Bois Scholars in recognition of their commitment to excellence in the classroom. In addition to excelling in school, Du Bois Scholars are athletes, actors, singers and dancers, musicians, writers, and scientists who attend public, independent and parochial high schools in metropolitan Atlanta. Through this unique peer-to-peer network, the Du Bois Society works to develop a powerful and effective counterweight to the culture of low expectations, uneven instruction, and negative peer pressure that surrounds academic accomplishment by black students in secondary schools, and to promote a culture of academic achievement. The organization’s broader aim is to replicate its success in Atlanta in 25 major cities across the country. Du Bois Scholars are provided the opportunity to meet, interact with and learn from professors and college students creating an intellectual climate that is usually unavailable in high school and one that provides a window into possible areas of study at the college level. Students participate in fun and interesting field trips aimed at broadening their exposure to new ideas and people, careers and opportunities. A new partnership with KIPP WAYS Academy, allows Du Bois Scholars to mentor 8th grade students and to encourage them to excel in the classroom. This rich experience in addition to rewarding the accomplishment of these young scholars, develops their leadership and service potential preparing them to become our future community and civic leaders. Du Bois Society Scholars are selected based on:
The lecture series, field trips, and mentoring of younger students are the tangible means by which the aims of the Du Bois Society are achieved; however, it is the creation of the Du Bois Society itself as a celebration of academic excellence among black high school students that gives our effort its real meaning. According to researchers from Emory University who followed our progress in 2004, our Du Bois Scholars have developed an improved focus on their educational goals, the importance of education for African-American youth, the value of social networks, a higher level of personal responsibility, and a better understanding of what it means to be an American of African decent. Interest in the program from students and parents remains high with student retention in the program and student recruitment of other students strong. |
