History from the Roots Up
We uncover stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership, centering the voices of those who lived history rather than those who held power, and grounding our study in values rooted in faith.

Justice is the Goal
Learning is a tool for freedom and moral responsibility. We study the past and tell new stories to imagine and build a more just and righteous future.

Community is the Classroom
Neighborhoods, landmarks, and lived experiences are our texts. Through research, writing, and visual storytelling, we learn from and contribute to our communities with integrity and purpose.

Scholars are Knowledge-Makers
Young people don’t just study history and literature—they create, document, and shape narratives that move us all forward, guided by ethical and biblical principles.

Learning Leads to Action
Every project is a step toward change, connecting scholarship to civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and community impact in ways that reflect faith, justice, and service.

I Facilitate Learning Experiences
I guide scholar-leaders through lessons, discussions, and hands-on projects, creating meaningful pathways to understanding that honor both knowledge and faith-based values.

I Provide Expertise & Context
I share historical, cultural, and technical knowledge while connecting content to the scholar-leader’s community, lived experience, and principles rooted in biblical wisdom.

I Model Critical Thinking & Civic Leadership
I demonstrate analytical inquiry, ethical reasoning, and responsible action, setting examples for scholar-leaders to emulate with integrity and purpose.

I Offer Feedback & Support Growth
I provide constructive, timely guidance to help scholar-leaders refine ideas, projects, and presentations while fostering ownership of their learning and encouraging moral discernment.

I Design & Align Curriculum
I ensure lessons, assessments, and projects meet standards while integrating scholar-led inquiry, real-world applications, and faith-informed decision-making.

Be a Truth-Seeker
Ask critical questions, examine multiple perspectives, and search for what’s hidden as well as what’s told.

Be a Builder
Contribute ideas, artifacts, and projects that add to our collective learning and community impact.

Be a Storyteller
Use writing, media, and research to tell powerful stories of resistance, resilience, and possibility.

Be a Collaborator
Listen deeply, honor others’ voices, and work together to grow understanding and solutions.

Be a Change-Maker
Apply what you learn to real issues in our community and beyond, turning knowledge into action.

Engage & Support Scholars
Community members provide guidance, encouragement, and real-world context to help scholar-leaders connect learning to action.

Collaborate in Learning
Parents, guardians, mentors, and partner organizations work with scholar-leaders on projects, interviews, and field experiences.

Share Expertise & Resources
Community stakeholders contribute knowledge, networks, and materials that deepen understanding and expand opportunities for scholar-leaders.

Provide Feedback & Reflection
Constructive input from community members helps scholars refine projects, presentations, and portfolios.

Champion Growth & Civic Leadership
The broader community celebrates scholar-leaders’ achievements and models civic engagement, social responsibility, and cultural awareness.

Intentional and Standards-Aligned
The curriculum is a carefully designed roadmap that aligns with state standards and college- and career-readiness benchmarks. Every lesson builds the literacy, critical thinking, and social studies skills scholars need to thrive in high school, college, and beyond.

Curated from Multiple Sources
Dr. Jaco draws from primary documents, scholarly research, multimedia tools, and community voices. By blending these perspectives, the curriculum provides learning experiences that are current, relevant, and adaptable to scholars’ needs.

Culturally Relevant and Community-Responsive
Scholars see themselves and their communities reflected in their studies. Lessons connect local history to present-day issues, highlight diverse voices, and invite students to engage deeply with the world around them.

Critical Thinking and Real-World Impact
Learning goes beyond information. Scholars analyze multiple perspectives, explore solutions, and apply evidence-based reasoning to community-focused projects, turning knowledge into action.

Preparing Scholars for College and Beyond
Through research, writing, collaboration, and project-based learning, students build independence, communication skills, perseverance, and adaptability—the tools they need for success in college, career, and community leadership.

In Short
The curriculum is rigorous, relevant, and relational—designed to connect classroom learning to the real world and empower scholars to lead with knowledge, creativity, and purpose.

Grounded in Black Histories, Voices, and Values
We center stories of resilience, creativity, and leadership, guided by principles rooted in faith, to deepen understanding of the U.S., local communities, and the wider world.

Connected to Community
Scholars link learning to the neighborhoods, landmarks, and experiences around them—uncovering narratives of justice, innovation, and empowerment through a lens of ethical and biblical values.

Bridging Past & Future
We examine struggles and triumphs from history to inspire critical thinking, creativity, and solutions for a freer, more just, and morally grounded future.

Action-Oriented Learning
Learning goes beyond analysis. Scholars create projects—through writing, media, and advocacy—that amplify voices, inspire change, and impact real communities while reflecting integrity and faith-driven purpose.

Standards-Based & Growth-Focused
Scholars are assessed on mastery of NC Social Studies and ELA standards while tracking growth over time.

Feedback-Driven Formative Work
Through journals, reflections, and discussions, learners practice critical thinking and self-assessment. Feedback may come from parents, peers, or the instructor, depending on modality. These activities guide growth without heavily impacting final grades.

Project-Based & Alternative Assessments
Portfolios, community-connected projects, and multimedia work allow scholar-leaders to demonstrate learning in diverse ways.

Self- & Peer-Assessment
Rubrics and structured reflection encourage scholar-leaders to evaluate their own and peers’ work, fostering accountability and skill development.

Transparent Grading & Revision Opportunities
Grades reflect mastery, growth, and performance, with clear criteria and opportunities for improvement through feedback and revision.

College & NCAA Alignment
Course meets NCAA and college-prep standards, ensuring substantial nonfiction reading, regular analytical writing, and structured teacher feedback