Paige Academy--Continuing a Tradition of Academic Success in the Black Community: An Interview with Angela Paige Cook and Joe Cook. Occasional Paper No. 37

One of the few independent black schools in New England is Paige Academy, a school that is largely based on an African-centered pedagogy. Founded in 1975, the school was initially established as a day care center, and later expanded to include an elementary school, while retaining its infant and toddler day care. The Paige Academy now enrolls 150 students. Students take a variety of courses, including computer technology, English, history, social studies, and science. Another important aspect of Paige Academy is its emphasis on nutrition. The school uses an algae-based supplement and a vegetarian diet to improve the quality of children's nutrition and academic performance. In this interview Angela Paige Cook and Joe Cook, founders (with five other educators) of the academy discuss the establishment and development of the school and the ways in which they have been able to ensure that students at the Academy receive a quality education. These educators think that self-esteem is the main ingredient in preparing students to conquer challenges. Parents are required to participate and the school's teachers make home visits. The Paige Academy's educational philosophy is influenced by the Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of Kwanza. The emphasis is African-centered and multicultural, with three languages spoken daily (English, French, and Spanish). The vision of the educators at the Paige Academy is to make an impact on the African American and urban communities through their model of education in which the community decides what the standards ought to be. (SLD)