Reading is the key to unlocking a child’s unlimited potential

Through the CDF Freedom Schools model, we empower our youth to excel and believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, and the world with hope, education, and action.

Rooted in the Mississippi Freedom Summer project of 1964, the CDF Freedom Schools program is a six-week summer literacy and cultural enrichment program that enhances children’s motivation to read and makes them feel good about learning. At the same time, the program connects families to resources in their communities.

Curriculum Foundation

Freedom School scholars engage in a research-based Integrated Reading Curriculum that supports them and their families through five essential components:

  1. High-quality academic enrichment
  2. Parent and family development
  3. Civic participation and community engagement
  4. Intergenerational servant leadership development
  5. Nutrition, health and mental health

2025 Freedom School Details

Freedom School is open to rising 3rd – 8th grade students that attend a public school in the New Hanover County School District.  Our Freedom School will take place June 16, 2025 to July 25, 2025! Programming is free and runs on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and includes breakfast, lunch, snacks and bus transportation in partnership with New Hanover County Schools. Scholar applications will be released on April 21, 2025.

We believe in an intergenerational leadership model. That’s why our program is staffed primarily by college students and recent college graduates, with at most a 10:1 child to adult ratio. As a result, many children and youth make significant gains in reading achievement and don’t experience any summer learning loss.
Questions? Email us at FreedomSchool@ciscapefear.org!

Be a part of bringing Freedom School to life!

Your gift of any size can make a difference! $50 could help us provide healthy snacks, $250 could help fund our scholars’ books, and a gift of $75,000 could sponsor next year’s program!

Please email Louise Hicks to discuss all available options, or make a secure donation here.

Needs include:

Tier 4
Volunteers for morning Read Aloud sessions
Individually wrapped snacks, juice, and water
Magazines
Monetary gifts for snacks, books and art supplies

Interested in More Information?

Email Us

Our 2025 Partners

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Donate

Donations are greatly appreciated and go directly to support the services we provide for local youth.

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Volunteer

Share your hobby, talents or interests with our students! Our programs need the support of caring adults to help keep students on the path to academic achievement.

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